Cat's Claw (A Pecan Springs Mystery)

I've loved most of Susan Wittig Albert's herbal mysteries and looked forward to this new book where the focus changes from the character of China Bayles to her police chief friend, Sheila Dawson. And through the first part of the book I was quite satisfied - the same town, characters and good writing I'd come to depend on. But then a killing occurs that is shocking, bloody, grisly and brutal. Sure, this is a murder mystery, but usually the violence is softened and just enough to further the plot. This level of graphic violence I find neither entertaining nor necessary. I hope this is not a trend to be continued in the future books of this series. It makes this reader extremely uncomfortable.

Cat's Claw by Susan Wittig Albert

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

It was interesting to look back on my last China Bayle's mystery review and see that I'd read #19 Mourning Gloria in April of 2012 and at that time said I'd taken a break from the series because they were beginning to feel like reruns. That book was written in 2012 and I must have bought Cat's Claw paperback when it came out and then proceeded to misplace it. So about a week or so ago, looking on Amazon for something new to read, I ordered another copy ( I've since found the first on my nightstand, where I was putting this one each night before turning in.). I'm glad I waited three years to resume the series because not only is it nice to see China and her family, including recently adopted daughter, Caitie, but also to reconnect with Ruby. It is refreshing, too, to see that Susan Albert apparently recognizes that the stories needed a bit of a tweak. This episode focuses on Smart Cookie, Sheila Dawson, the new Chief of Police in Pecan Springs, having kept the job after winning a coin toss with her new husband, Blackie. They decided that they couldn't both work in law enforcement after marriage and could not figure out which of them should resign when both loved their work so much. After the coin toss Blackie joined China's husband in forming a PI company and in this installment the two men are on their way into Mexico to find a young Austin child kidnapped by his non-custodial parent.

Not only do I enjoy the stories Albert tells but being familiar with the area of Texas she writes about I enjoy the information she shares such as the dangers around Piedras Negras/Juarez that have developed in the few years since I've crossed the border there with no thought of danger. Sad developments. Also until I read this I had never heard of the dead peasant insurance policies that large corporations take out on their employees. Interesting use of the system.

All in all, with the new tweaks focusing on some of the other characters in Pecan Springs, the new crimes being investigated and the breaking news of changes in the Hill Country, I am happily back on board and have a new copy of Widow's Tears ready to go.

This is the 20th book in the China Bayles series. This book is primarily from Sheila’s perspective as the chief of police, with some chapters from China’s perspective. Sheila has to manage balancing all of the responsibilities of her position and maintain her position of authority. She is also working on adjusting to married life and her husband’s transition from police work to being a private investigator. Sheila has a puzzling case on her hands that initially looks like suicide, but turns out to be murder. It looks like this case may have more far reaching consequences when it gets tangled up with a high profile case that would be damaging to a powerful person.

Excellent a great mystery.

fantastic condition

Loved the book

I have read every one of the books in this China Bayles series. Some of them twice. I love China and her side-kick Ruby. All of Susan's China mysteries are a good fun read.

i'm running out of original things to say about the China Bayles series. i have almost every one of them now... back-filling my collection from when books have been loaned & not returned. a favorite author

I'm a big fan of Susan Wittig Albert and to date have all of her China Bayles books. It's fun to try solving the mystery before the end of the book, Also, being an avid gardener who enjoys growing and using herbs, I love the information and recipes that are included. Normally I pass along books I've read to friends who can in turn pass them along to others, but not my China Bayles series, these I enjoy reading over and over and they stay in my bookcase.

Interesting!