This is the first book in the series I have read. I don't feel that I was lost or missed much in starting with this one. I loved the interweaving of the 1880's with present day. China shares knowledge about plants as we go through the book. We also learn about lace making and two mysteries are solved. One in the present day & one in the past. I enjoyed this book very much and look forward to reading others by this author.

I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley for an honest review.

China Bayles, champion of reason, herbs, and her daughter's prize chickens, is forced to ponder the impossible in <i>Queen Anne's Lace</i>. If neither her friends nor her customers is leaving notes and sprigs of lavender on her store's bulletin board, could there be ... a ghost? The lawyer in China says that ghosts belong to the legal category of "facts not in evidence," but the hints, hums, and fragments she is gleaning from boxes of old photographs and lace in her attic are urging her to be open to extreme possibilities.

This dual-timeline tale follows the women, past and present, who have inhabited the old building that now houses China's store and her friend Ruby's psychic emporium. China knows that herbalists throughout history have known Queen Anne's Lace to be a readily-available contraceptive, as well as a tasty, carroty addition to cuisine. Is the "fact not in evidence" trying to tell China her life story through herbs and textiles?

This is another intelligent and satisfying episode in the life of Pecan Springs. Don't worry if you aren't familiar with the series. Susan Wittig Albert gives you enough backstory to allow you to enjoy the book and, also, to want to catch up.

Oh, and the chickens? You just have to trust me.

Thank you, NetGalley, for the ARC of this book in exchange for a review.

Another great addition to the China Bayles series. Hard to believe this is number 26. China and Ruby are cleaning out the attic so they can rent it out and China finds a box of old photos and diaries. It upsets the resident ghost and soon there are things moved around, bells ringing and the scent of lavender covers the two shops. With summer at it's peak and the local fair preparing to award the local farmers and animal lovers their ribbons, a chicken theft leads to a major bust. Love this series, you an read any of the stories as stand alone or out of order. She reviews enough that you can figure out friendships and past cases. Sometimes a series can get a little redundant and dull but Ms. Albert keeps China and all her friends fresh and entertaining. I received a copy of this ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review.

I really enjoyed the historical aspect of this mystery, and the way it incorporates into China's life. Albert has kept this series alive and enjoyable.

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for an eARC of this book.
This is #26 in the China Bayles series but can be totally understood without reading the previous
books. I had read only one and I got right into it. I loved it! I have found this author's cozy to be a bit boring but this one kept me reading. More about the history of a family than a real mystery (no one died) which involved ghosts and old photos. Well written as usual.
Got to give this one 4 stars.

Great entry in the China Bayles series. I was especially entrenched in the storyline from the 1880s. It was nice how the past and the present were drawn together into a satisfying meshing.

I will very rarely pick up a book to read if I do not think I am going to like it. Time is to short and there are too many books to read. I had never read any work by Susan Wittig Albert. I was drawn to this specific work because of the jacket description. I was not disappointed. The dual time line was perfect for this storyline. While this novel includes characters in a series, I did not feel like I missed out by not having read any of the previous works. I was intrigued by the extensive amount of information that was included on plant based contraceptives that were used in the past. The details written about women's lace making and life in the 1800s almost give this book a nod towards being historical fiction. The genealogy twist was somewhat predictable but enjoyable none the less. Overall a very enjoyable read.

I love the China Bayles series, even the ones that fell flat for me, like this one did. There was way too much going on, and the result was a lot of story lines got skipped over (Sheila's pregnancy, Brian and his girlfriend). The story lines that were focused on were ones I had no interest in. (The stupid ghost. I have always disliked the ghost plots of these books, like the ones in Bloodroot and Widow's Tears.)

HOWEVER, this book gets an extra two stars from me because of the plant information. Susan Wittig Albert says that she has tried to do this plotline for several years, and I'm glad she got around to it. Men and closed minded women may pass laws to entrap our bodies, but they can't stop us from growing pennyroyal and Queen Anne's lace in the backyard.

As a novel, this book succeeds. It's got the setting (small-town Texas), interesting characters (herbalist, lace-maker, etc.), a plot involving the family who originally lived in the house in the late 1800s, and subplots around state fair animals and sick friends. It's an enjoyable read.

But as a mystery, this book fails. Nobody dies during either time period until 80% of the way through the book. Nobody ever dies (or is even in any sustained danger) in the present time. There's a real lack of suspense and tension, despite the awkward, chapter-end, direct-to-the-reader attempts by the narrator to generate some ("You never know what might happen." I was joking. But I was right. Really. You just never know.)

There is a bit of action in present day at the very end of the book, but it feels added on. As if, in earlier drafts, someone pointed out there was no mystery/danger in the present day, so the author went back and added all the state fair related drama and dropped all the awkward hints in earlier.

I have loved many of the books in this series, but more and more, I miss McQuaid, who's always conveniently out of town on a case, and I miss the mystery being set in the present time, without a ghost who's helping along the story. It feels like the series has gone way far away from where it began. Where I loved it.

Queen Anne's Lace by Susan Wittig Albert is another terrific addition to the China Bayles series.

This book really appealed to me. My favorite part was when the story went back to the 1800's. The lace making details were interesting and I enjoyed the story behind it.

This book can be read as a stand alone as the author does give plenty of information about the characters.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an ARC of this book provided by the publisher and NetGalley.

Although we order all of Albert’s books series for our library this is the first book of hers I’ve read. I loved this China Bayles book, and I’m excited to find a new series. Set in past and present in the same small town, history is blended together in an interesting plot. I highly recommend.

If you’re read this series before, you know that China Bayles runs an herb shop in Pecan Springs, Texas. If not, you’ll be glad to know that it’s still a great a stand-alone, told in the first person by friendly China herself. The chapters alternate between the past and the present; unlike some authors who seem to use this technique for padding, these stories are both interesting and do converge in a surprising way. Mysterious happenings at the shop, chicken theft, and nineteenth century herbal birth control methods combine to make Queen Anne’s lace vastly superior to the average cozy mystery-- Albert is a really good writer, and takes the time to develop both her characters and plot.

Posted on March 2, 2018 by cayocosta72
Queen Anne’s Lace by Susan Wittig Albert. Published by Berkley

China is helping her friend clean up the attic above Thyme and Seasons when she find some old photos and lace and feels a presence nearby. When she hears a woman humming a song, the hair on the back of her neck stands straight up. Then things begin happening in the shop, objects moved, a ghostly woman appears and lavender is found in odd places. Obviously, there is a restless spirit hanging about the shop. But what does she want, and can China help her get it? There unfolds the sad story of a woman, Annie, a lace maker who tragically lost both her husband and child. Albert gives her readers a mystery and a fascinating story about hand-made lace