Book Review: Bloodroot

Reviewed By: Dawn Dowdle

Bloodroot     Amazon US PB Amazon US HC Amazon Canada PB Amazon Canada HC
Susan Wittig Albert
Class/Genre:   Mystery   Amateur Sleuth   Cozy
Series: China Bayles # 10
1/03, 305 pages

In this book China Bayles has to deal with her family that she disowned many years before. She deals not only with the living family, but she also has to unravel some family secrets and possibly deal with their ghosts.

Her mother Leatha calls and asks her to come to come to Jordan’s Crossing, the old family plantation in Mississippi. She will only tell her that Aunt Tullie might end up in jail if she doesn’t come to help. China is no longer a practicing lawyer, but she gets Ruby to look after her herbal store Thyme and Seasons. She says goodbye to her husband McQuaid and his son Brian. Then takes off for Jordan’s Crossing.

When she arrives, she finds that not only has Aunt Tullie aged in the years since China has seen here, but she is also not well. Sometimes she is fairly lucid, but not always.

Her mother tells her that Wiley showed up with what he claimed to be a deed to a portion of their land. No one seemed to be aware of this and Aunt Tullie got quite upset. Wiley hasn’t been seen since. There are extenuating circumstances and then the Deputy gets involved in the search for Wiley.

China renews an old friendship with Darlene, who is now the cook at Jordan’s Crossing. They start looking into things and find that there is more going on than just a deed. China starts reading Great-Grandmother Pearl’s diary hoping to unlock some of the secrets.

China finds herself in many interesting situations and dealing with many feelings regarding her family and heritage. I really enjoyed this book and look forward to reading more China Bayles mysteries. This book was very well written and the plot was masterfully crafted.

I highly recommend this book.

Dawn Dowdle

Reprinted with permission. Do Not repost without permission from the author, Dawn Dowdle

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