As always, Susan (and China) are amazing. One thing I love about these mysteries is how much I learn about herbs and plants. Honestly, the mystery is ancillary! But it's still a good mystery with plenty of suspects and twists. I've also enjoyed seeing China and Ruby's businesses grow along with the characters.

There’s anther dead body in Pecan Springs. The dead man is botany Professor Carl Fairlee, found in the small hot house he finagled atop the botany building on campus and who has a fixation with orchids. In this case, the staring role goes to vanilla orchids. Very pregnant Police Chief Shelia, whose baby is due is six weeks, teams up with her lead detective to ferret out what actually happened to Professor Fairlee. After an autopsy, suicide is ruled out, so the pair begins the search for the murderer. Naturally sleepy little Pecan Springs is alive with theories and a myriad of suspects soon comes to light. China Bayles and her trusted side kick Ruby are some of the interested residents. In fact, China becomes, as usual, quickly embroiled in the case. Going through the many clues, some solid, some not so solid and some even red herrings takes time, but the story finally comes together with a somewhat unexpected ending. I was a bit surprised, but wondered why the author did not put more lead-up into it?

This is the usual China Bayles mystery. There are the usual passages on herbs and spices (this time vanilla) and a couple of interesting and mouth-watering recipes thrown in. This story does not focus much on China’s family or even on Ruby, as they play no real roles, except being there adding a few ideas and comments. The story really focuses on the very pregnant Police Chief Shelia and how she manages to plunge right into the thick of things, despite her late stages of pregnancy, helped along by her detective and China. Of course, China plays a pivotal role in solving the mystery (it is her series after all), though Shelia does have a fairly large role. This is a good addition to her series. If you enjoyed the rest, this will probably appeal to you. If you are new to the series, this may not be a good one to start with, as many of the supporting characters from the other books who make up the small town and China’s immediate circle do not have roles big enough to give you a real feel for who they are. I like reading about her circle and how they all pitch in together to help things along. Still, the story is a good one, and the mystery well-done. China does provide some back story so a new reader can know who she is and who makes up her circle. I received this from NetGalley to read and review.

I have been a fan of China since the first book. What's not to love? A strong female protagonist with actual legal experience. Diverse characters. And PLANTS! I do love the way Susan Wittig Albert tells a story. The history and natural history she weaves into her plots make them so enjoyable to me. I especially like the inclusion of quotes from sources and recipes. Many a China Bayles title has helped me fill my TBR and by TBC(ooked) list!

The tone is this one, however, seemed a little off. I think it was hard for me to transition from China's to Shelia's voice because I identify so strongly with China. And there seemed to be a disconnect in China's relationships, especially with Shelia and Ruby. In previous books, China would have been the first person Shelia called when the crime involved plants! I also felt the mystery was too easy to work out, but I do read A LOT of mysteries.

Another solid addition to the China Bayles series. Fans of the series will welcome this latest mystery that's all about vanilla (and murder, of course).

A Plain Vanilla Murder is the 25th installment in the long running mystery series featuring amateur sleuth China Bayles. China and Ruby are hosting their popular annual vanilla workshop where China shares pictures and stories about an excursion she once took with Professor Carl Fairlee to Mexico to learn about the Vanilla plant. The next morning, on her way home from dropping her niece off at the bus stop, she hears over the radio that professor Fairlee was found dead in his greenhouse. In an attempt to help Fairlee's ex-wife, who also happens to be a top suspect, China teams up with Chief Dawson to find the real killer. Among the other potential suspects are a graduate student and a former lover. Albert splits the narrative between China and Chief of Police Sheila, providing an interesting contrast and some comical relief. It is clear that the author has done her research on vanilla and orchids, given the wealth of information interspersed in the narrative, giving the reader insight into how vanilla is grown and harvested as well the illicit black market surrounding the trade of vanilla. I highly enjoyed visiting Pecan Springs again and checking in on the quirky cast of characters who reside here. I highly recommend this book to fans of the China Bayles series as well as those looking for a well researched and enlightening cozy mystery with a surprise ending.

A Plain Vanilla Murder is the latest offering in the popular China Bayles series written by Susan Wittig Albert. Since I have read every book in the series I was beyond excited to receive an ARC in exchange for my review. I always anticipate each new addition to the series and this one did not disappoint.
The author does a fine job of educating her reader about orchids in general, and more specifically the vanilla orchid. As always, there are fine recipes included in the book. For those of us who are familiar with the series, it is fun to check in with our characters and see what is new with them.
The story is in keeping with other cozy mysteries- crafted around the topic of the vanilla orchid, not gory, simple to follow. The key players are smart and not inclined to rush headlong into danger. My one comment is about the author's handling of the chief of police and her pregnancy. While it was her intent to portray the chief's struggle to endure working in a high powered job, and at the end of her pregnancy, I felt like the number of comments about her necessary trips to the bathroom were excessive.
Thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book and share my thoughts.

I was looking forward to reading this new book by one of my favorite authors. It’s another great read written with a combination of interesting well researched facts and lots of mystery and intrigue. I thoroughly enjoyed it and loved learning all about vanilla.

Susan Wittig Albert has provided her reader with another intriguing story that combines information concerning the vanilla plant and also a murder of a college professor. I found the book had me turning page after page and chapter after chapter, not just to see who done it but to learn more about the vanilla bean and orchids. Ms. Albert's character development provided strong women characters and her writing was smooth but provided many twists to keep you reading. I haven't read any of her prior books but was able to grasp who the characters were and their part in the book. I am looking forward to reading another of Susan Wittig Albert's books.

A vanilla disappointment.
A lot of characters were introduced all at once, which may be fine to fans of the series but for first-time readers, this was confusing. The entire thing was exposition heavy- which is an achievement in itself.
Overall, although I received an ARC I do not think that the issues that I had with the book would be changed before publication hence the One-Star Rating.

I have been reading about China Bayles ever since the first novel in the series was published. I enjoy the main characters and their relationships with one another. The series has built over time as characters have become involved in marriages, work together, have children, etc. I am always happy to pick up with the folks in Pecan Springs again.Chna's voice is folksy and welcoming; when giving back story she speaks directly to the reader.

In A Plain Vanilla Murder, there is, of course, murder and more...no spoilers here though; you will need to read the book. Along the way the reader will learn a great deal about the vanilla trade, orchids and ethical practices.

All of the pieces of the mystery come together in a satisfying way. The side stories, for example about Ruby's daughter's partner's pregnancy were also welcome and reminded me that a theme in this book was motherhood, both pending, past and current.

I already look forward to the next to come in the series. Keep writing Ms. Albert.

So...spend some time in the Hill Country of Texas. You will enjoy your stay.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the author for this advance copy of the book. All opinions are my own.

China and Ruby Wilcox are putting on a class about vanilla. It's well attended and both of them feel good about the presentation. China is friends with the police chief, who is very pregnant. When the chief finds out a botany professor has been killed, it doesn't take long for her to determine it wasn't suicide as everyone would like to think. China is good at listening to local gossip and ferreting out the truth so she's anxious to help the chief solve this crime.

Persevero Press and Net Galley let me read this book for review (thank you). It will be published June 4th.

They find the professor isn't a very nice man. He sleeps with students, was involved in an accident where one student died, seems to be importing rare orchids and selling them using his work space he created without permission using grant money. He has lots of people who hate him from his ex-wife to the people he works with, to the families of the girls he sleeps with. Who hated him enough to kill him?

Learning about vanilla was interesting and it was easy to dislike the man who died. When the killer is determined, you almost want to spare them. They suffered a very bad hurt and they just hurt him back. Ms. Albert makes you care about her characters and writes good mysteries. See if you can guess who the murderer is before the end...

Sheila, Pecan Springs very pregnant police chief, is called into a case involving the death of a professor at a local university. Is it really suicide? Did his extracurricular activities have something to do with his death? He was doing research on rare vanilla orchids, and China is doing a vanilla workshop at her herb shop, so she becomes involved in the case. This series is one of my favorites--the protagonist, China, owns an herb shop, and the author not only does research on the plant in the title, but also includes recipes. I loved the talking parrot who quotes Star Trek, and hope he comes back in subsequent books.

Was it really suicide? China Bayles is back investigating a college professor’s death surrounded by the rich scent of vanilla. Like many of Albert’s books, you get a rich education on plant history. The story centers around the university community showing you professional jealousy between the professors and some curious ways to make extra cash. I enjoyed A Plain Vanilla Murder and would recommend it, especially if you are a gardener.

Albert's latest China Bayles mystery is enveloping. I read the entire book straight through like one who can't inhale the book fast enough. The mystery revolves around the illicit black market trade of vanilla. One of the things I like about this series is that it's very educational about a topic I know very little about. The mystery includes a dead professor, sexual scandals, a very common cooking and baking ingredient as well as a kidnapping. Now that I've caught up with the series, I'm left impatiently awaiting the next adventure of China.

The first few pages immediately reeled me in. It is wonderfully written and the scenes come alive. Soon the story became laser-focused on the vanilla plant. The unwavering focus on vanilla for the first 10 percent of the book made it drag a bit for me. I found myself skipping ahead. However, the mystery’s ending made it all worthwhile.

I’ve been a fan of this series for a long time and I always look forward to seeing what China is up to.
Ruby and China are always stumbling into a murder mystery and I love to spend time with them, as they dig for clues.

Vanilla is anything but bland!
Susan Wittig Albert always gives us a mystery that includes herbs and spices. This one is as fascinating as all the others.

There's nothing plain vanilla about the latest book by Susan Wittig Albert. When a botany professor is found dead in his greenhouse on the campus, it appears to be suicide. When Chief Sheila Dawson discovers it was murder she enlists China's help in finding the killer. Lots of background on the very interesting history of raising a vanilla crop in the tropical forests of Mexico and the risks it creates.
To be reviewed on MapYourMystery.com on May 2.

#APlainVanillaMurder #NetGalley
This was my first China Bayles mystery, thanks Susan Wittig Albert and NetGalley for this ARC. I reviewed a Darling Dahlia new release recently so wanted to try this series also as the author is a favorite of mine.I think it was fine that I had not read others in the series, as the author has brief vignettes to "catch up".

"China finds herself teaming up with the very pregnant Pecan Springs police chief Sheila Dawson to solve a vanilla-flavored murder."

Ah..so here we go.. the beginning was a little slow ( although it was explained this was a faster paced murder investigation than usual), as the quick witted chief Shelia quickly saw it was not a suicide. She was helped in this because she was called in instead of the coroner by the security chief at the University when a professor was found dead. Sheila and her deputy Dylan Miller view the body together and both are sure it was murder.

China, on the other hand is called in as friend of the deceased's ex- wife and begins to pick up clues. So the action jumps from Chief Sheila to China who ultimately pieces together the murder and some associated crimes. These included a distant murder, smuggling and finally the kidnapping of the victim's young daughter.

An interesting and light read which I enjoyed.

Everything you ever wanted to know about vanilla, orchids and crime solving rolled up into one great adventure. I loved the history sections of vanilla and info on orchids. I know I would kill an orchid probably by just looking at it as the author explained how challenging they are to raise and thrive.
The book was hard to put down. Isn't it annoying when you have to work or sleep? I was drawn into this charming hometown with characters that are open minded and refreshing.
A very exhausted pregnant police chief who is still very much a pro at what she does despite her need for numerous bathroom breaks works along with China Bayles whose life now center around her thriving business and family. Murder, smugglers and kidnappers keep China on her toes and the reader turning the pages to race to the end. I highly recommend this book and look forward to another visit with China and her engaging friends.
Posted to Goodreads and will post on KOBO, Amazon and Barnes and Noble when published.