National best-selling author and resident of Texas, Susan Wittig Albert pens a quirky, but chilling mystery. When Casey Ford threatens to sell his property to a strip mining company, the townsfolk fear that Indigo will be lost forever. Protecting the town is important-so important that someone is willing to kill Casey to keep their home from being ruined. Now, in addition to running the town's cultural crusade, China Bayles must find Casey's murderer.
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"Great summer reading. As a spinner, dyer and knitter, I really enjoyed the focus of this novel. Plus I really like the China Bayles series. Series (read chronologically) offer a delightful range for character development. China Bayles books are much better with Ruby! Look forward to the next one."
— C.J. (4 out of 5 stars)
“Accomplished…the satisfying ending is icing on the cake.”
— Publishers Weekly“A brilliant [and] entertaining detective writer.”
— Dallas Morning News“Albert's skill in weaving everything together into a multilayered whole makes the reading smooth, interesting, and enjoyable.”
— San Antonio Express-News“Albert's dialogue and characterizations put her in a class with lady sleuths V. I. Warshawski and Stephanie Plum.”
— Publishers Weekly" This is a very interesting mystery. I'm not a mystery fan, but I got sucked into this one. I did not figure out the "whodunit" until is was revealed. This is a good book. "
— Amy, 2/17/2014" For me the mystery seemed secondary to the information on natural dyes, which wasn't necessarily a bad thing; it just seemed a little lackluster compared to other China Bayles' books in the series. "
— Laurel, 2/16/2014" Peaked my interest to try my own natural dyes. "
— Deb, 2/13/2014" Good, easy-to-read mystery. Just enjoying moving through this series for some light summer reading. Takes place in Texas. "
— Victoria, 2/5/2014" Another great entry in the China Bayles series. Worth it almost for the plays on the words indigo and blue alone, but delivers much, much more. By now the reader loves China and all her friends and relations, so I'm glad I have the next book on the nightstand, ready to begin. "
— Lisa, 1/30/2014" This series started out great. The earlier books had an unusual location to learn about; interesting, quirky characters; and, fascinating tidbits about herbs. By the time the series reached this book, the whole thing seems contrived and like a slightly expanded outline. "
— Ann, 1/25/2014" This book was full of facts about dying fibers and since this is a hobby of mine I really enjoyed the read! "
— Mary, 1/23/2014" I think I really enjoyed this one because I liked hearing about the dye process. To me, that's pretty interesting. "
— Nicole, 1/20/2014" China Bayles heads to the tiny town of Indigo, Texas, to teach a Colors to Dye For workshop. But she quickly discovers that Indigo is a town with more than its share of dark secrets-secrets that someone thinks are worth killing to keep. "
— Eddy, 1/20/2014" Another female solving mysteries. This time a lawyer turned herbalist. "
— Ragan, 9/28/2013" Wow, lots of twists and turns in this one but there were some clues. Love China Bayles! "
— Natalie, 8/29/2013" I love indigo as a dye and think it is really cool, so glad that this finally made it as one of the plants highlighted in this series, with China Bayles, the laywer cum tea store operator. "
— Catherine, 8/11/2013" I enjoyed this book of Alberts. The information on Idigo was fascinating and as usual, you learn something each time you read one of her books. "
— Sallee, 7/24/2013" In my opion this is the best in her series. I loved it so much. "
— Jo, 7/10/2013" The herb mystery series is always satisfying... a great mystery wrapped around information using natural dyes and recipes. I like that the characters are flawed and only in conversation with one another all the pieces come together. "
— Teesa, 1/29/2013" The town of Indigo, TX is threatened by a huge strip-mining operation until the owner of a large portion of the mineral rights is shot in one of his own booby-traps. The whole town had wished him dead, and when China and Ruby solve the mystery, it's a huge surprise. "
— Nancy, 10/30/2012" An easy read...kept me interested. "
— Stephanie, 10/10/2012" Always enjoy this series, interesting gardening facts although Texas and western Canada don't have a lot of plants in common. "
— Lbaker, 6/26/2012" Albert's China Bayles series is well worth the time. This one has a nice red herring twist and a deep, deadly, and desperate secret. It isn't just sins that can be passed generation to generation. "
— Mary, 3/17/2012" I've been on a mystery roll lately. Enjoyed this one, too! Then again, I don't stick with books I don't like. "
— Rachel, 2/19/2012" Another great read & I love how she makes you want to garden or put flowes around. Sometimes I can even smell the herbs while reading. Silly but she is so descriptive. I am always anxious for the next book to see what ALL of them are up to & learn about another herb! "
— Kj, 6/7/2011" My first experience with the China Bayles Mysteries. I am hooked. "
— Kira, 5/8/2011" I really enjoy Albert's Beatrix Potter series, but her actual mysteries leave something to be desired. They are predictable and the characters lack depth. I would not recommend this particular one as I yawned most of the way through. "
— Leah, 2/24/2011" Good mystery with many instructions for dyeing with natural products. Takes place in a small Texas town that is in danger of being demolished by coal mining. "
— Sara, 1/21/2011" the making of the dyes was interesting and the flowers that make them I liked a lot. the plot kept me riveted till the end. "
— Ruth, 11/20/2010" I wasn't to fond of this one when it first came out, but I just reread it and I really liked it. Worth a second view and fits well in the groove of the series. "
— Amanda, 9/17/2010" I really liked this one and especially the information on the indigo dyes and the dye process and the plants grown for their colors and the mystery itself. It all came together in a suspensful story that was well-written. Very enjoyable. "
— Toni, 7/17/2010" not one of my favorites in the China Bayles series. Took a long time for me to get into, which is rare for this author! "
— Sabra, 10/8/2009Susan Wittig Albert is the author of over 100 books. Her work includes four mystery series: China Bayles, the Darling Dahlias, the Cottage Tales of Beatrix Potter, and the Robin Paige Victorian mysteries. She has published three award-winning historical novels, as well as young-adult fiction, memoirs, and nonfiction. She serves as an editor of Story Circle Book Reviews and helps to coordinate its online class program.
Julia Gibson received an MFA from New York University. She has appeared on Broadway and other major stages in New York, as well as regional theaters from Dallas to San Francisco, Chicago, Philadelphia, and more. Gibson has played major roles in productions such as The Seagull, Angels in America, and A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Her television and film credits include Michael Clayton, Law & Order: Criminal Intent, Spin City, and One Life to Live.