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Holly Blues (2010)

by Susan Wittig Albert(Favorite Author)

3.81 of 5 Votes: 4

ISBN

0425232603 (ISBN13: 9780425232606)

languge

English

genre

Mystery & Thriller

publisher

Berkley Hardcover

series

China Bayles

review 1: I've spent the past couple of weeks catching up on the books in the China Bayles series that I missed during a chunk of my life when I wasn't doing much reading. With "Holly Blues," I'm now all caught up and feeling rather bittersweet about it. It's good to be completely up to date on the series, yet these past few weeks with China have been like reconnecting with an old friend. I hate for that time to end.In "Holly Blues," McQuaid's ex-wife Sally turns up seeking a place to stay. Maybe the Christmas spirit has struck China, because she agrees. Sally immediately gets on well with China's niece Caitlin and even makes a rare effort with son Brian, but before long, she disappears again and it's clear she's embroiled in something unsavory.As always, the descriptions are lu... moresh and characterizations are strong. I can always blissfully sink myself into a China Bayles mystery (or frankly, anything written by Susan Wittig Albert) and not emerge until the very end. I wish I could have given "Holly Blues" five stars, but I couldn't 100% believe that someone as smart as China would be fooled into believing Sally's lies about being homeless, etc. Also, I was surprised and a bit disturbed at the political preaching about Lyndon Johnson and whatever it was he supposedly did with his cronies. It had nothing to do with the story, and was clearly less China's observations than the author's.Overall, a great read. Can't wait for the upcoming new China mystery!
review 2: Another nice installment to the Chine Bayles series. The book has the usual traits that I expect from the author: a warm welcome, good company, gossip with friends, a little tension here and there, a great whole dose of sleuthing by China, Ruby and McQuaid. While the previous book I found more emotional this one was entertaining to say the least. I even enjoyed the fact that Sally was around again. You need a little dose of crazy occasionally. I do have a concern though. Is it just me or are the China books getting shorter? less

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