Cat's Claw (China Bayles Series #20) [NOOK Book]

( 20 )

Overview

As the first female police chief in Pecan Springs, Texas, Sheila Dawson has cracked many a mystery in collaboration with local sleuth China Bayles. Now Sheila puts her smarts to work, sifting through secrets to find a killer on the prowl…

Larry Kirk, Pecan Springs’ computer guru, has been shot dead in his kitchen. At first Sheila believes it to be suicide, but further investigation reveals that Kirk’s death wasn’t self-inflicted. And the ...
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Cat's Claw (China Bayles Series #20)

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More About This Book

Overview

As the first female police chief in Pecan Springs, Texas, Sheila Dawson has cracked many a mystery in collaboration with local sleuth China Bayles. Now Sheila puts her smarts to work, sifting through secrets to find a killer on the prowl…

Larry Kirk, Pecan Springs’ computer guru, has been shot dead in his kitchen. At first Sheila believes it to be suicide, but further investigation reveals that Kirk’s death wasn’t self-inflicted. And the truth is reinforced by her friend China Bayles’ news—Larry recently asked her for legal advice in regards to a stalker.

As a police chief in a male-dominated force, Sheila meets many challenges, especially when her theories rock the boat in high-profile cases like that of George Timms, who was caught breaking into Larry’s shop. Now that Larry is dead, Sheila is sure the burglary is connected to the murder. But when Timms disappears instead of turning himself in, Sheila must prove she’s got what it takes to hunt down a predator who’s loose on the streets of Pecan Springs…
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Editorial Reviews

Publishers Weekly
China Bayles shares top billing with Sheila Dawson in Albert’s diverting 20th cozy set in the touristy Texas town of Pecan Springs (after 2011’s Mourning Gloria). China, an ex-lawyer turned herbalist and owner of Thyme and Seasons as well as co-owner of Party Thyme (catering) and Thyme for Tea (tearoom), is a magnet for crime and gossip. Sheila, Pecan Springs’s first female police chief, faces triple professional challenges: the arrest of leading citizen George Timms for criminal trespass; sniping from within her department and from some city council members; and the shooting death of computer store owner Larry Kirk, poorly designed to look like a suicide. On a personal level, Sheila and her new husband, Blackie Blackwell, former Adams County sheriff, are still adjusting to married life. Albert handles the dual voices smoothly as the combined talents of China and Sheila blend to reveal multiple crimes hidden beneath the peaceful façade of Pecan Springs. (Mar.)
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Product Details

  • ISBN-13: 9781101560655
  • Publisher: Penguin Group (USA)
  • Publication date: 3/6/2012
  • Series: China Bayles Series , #20
  • Sold by: Penguin Group
  • Format: eBook
  • Pages: 304
  • Sales rank: 20,260
  • File size: 391 KB

Meet the Author

Susan Wittig Albert
Susan Wittig Albert grew up on a farm in Illinois and earned her Ph.D. at the University of California at Berkeley. A former professor of English and a university administrator and vice president, she is the author of the China Bayles Mysteries, the Darling Dahlias Mysteries, and the Cottage Tales of Beatrix Potter. She and her husband, Bill, coauthor a series of Victorian-Edwardian mysteries under the name Robin Paige. The Alberts live near Austin, Texas.

Biography

Susan Wittig Albert grew up on a farm in Illinois and earned her Ph.D. at the University of California at Berkeley. A former professor of English and a university administrator and vice president, she now lives with her husband, Bill, in the country outside of Austin, Texas. In addition to the China Bayles mysteries, she writes the Victorian Mysteries series, along with her husband, under the pseudonym of Robin Paige.

Author biography courtesy of Penguin Books, LTD.

Good To Know

In our exclusive interview with Albert, she revealed some fun facts about herself:

"My first job was selling ladies' undies at Woolworth's for 35 cents an hour in Danville, Illinois."

I learned to garden from my mother, who thought that the most important thing you did every spring was to plant the potatoes. I learned to read from my father, who never planted a potato in his life. Somehow, I managed to create a life and make a living between these two extremes. Happily, I haven't had to go back to selling undies. Not yet, anyway."

"I love living in the country with Bill, two black Labs, and a black cat. I'd rather read a book or write one than do just about anything else in the world, except maybe for gardening and sitting in a bathtub full of hot, hot water and bubbles. Or knitting, spinning, weaving, dyeing -- I'm a fiber-arts fanatic."

"You can find out what I'm doing today (or what I did yesterday) by checking out my web log, at susanalbert.typepad.com/lifescapes (but there's no web cam, so don't look for me in the bathtub)."

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    1. Also Known As:
      Robin Paige
    1. Date of Birth:
      1940
    2. Place of Birth:
      Danville, Illinois
    1. Education:
      Ph.D., University of California at Berkeley

Customer Reviews

Average Rating 4.5
( 20 )
Rating Distribution

5 Star

(15)

4 Star

(4)

3 Star

(1)

2 Star

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1 Star

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Sort by: Showing all of 20 Customer Reviews

  • Posted March 18, 2012

    A Nice New Direction Ah, the author took a different approach i

    A Nice New Direction

    Ah, the author took a different approach in this series by focusing more on Sheila with China taking the secondary role in this wonderful series. I like how the author kept the story moving between Sheila and China’s lives, letting us see Sheila in her new role as she investigates this murder mystery. With a solid plot, with a look into the everyday occurrences, and with the gang all back, this was a nice new direction taken in this enjoyable and pleasant series.

    3 out of 3 people found this review helpful.

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  • Posted April 27, 2012

    A Great Read

    In this fast moving, character driven plot, Smart Cookie, aka as Sheriff Sheila Dawson, gets her own novel. China finds the body, but the story is Smart Cookie's, and what a great story it is! There's murder, of course, blackmail fear, and betrayal. There's also detecting, logic, understanding and humor to lighten the story. "Thumbs up!"

    2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted April 5, 2012

    ANother winner

    Highly recommend i like that now we are getting to know the other characters in pecan springs as usual I felt like knew all the people in pecan springs could hardly put it down until it was finished

    2 out of 3 people found this review helpful.

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  • Posted March 23, 2012

    Another great book in the China series

    I have read the entire series and enjoy learning about herbs as well as reading a mystery. This book is another great read.

    2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

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  • Posted March 11, 2012

    I always wonder when an author begins a new series if it will be

    I always wonder when an author begins a new series if it will be as interesting as the previous one. Well have no doubt about CAT'S CLAW. Susan Albert has written given her readers their money's worth with this one. She cleverly weaves China and to a lesser extent Ruby into the story line which adds a comfort level to the series. But this is Sheila (Tough Cookie's) story, a by the book police procedural, taking us step by step into her professional world. I too figured out who the murderer was, but that was only one part of the whole story. The writing was crisp and the story line was woven together seamlessly. I'm looking forward to reading more books with Sheila and her Pecan Springs Police Department. Maybe a book on Blackie is in the offing too - who knows. Ms Albert is one SHARP COOKIE!

    1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

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  • Posted March 6, 2012

    I'm a long-time fan of the China Bayles series by Albert and whi

    I'm a long-time fan of the China Bayles series by Albert and while she is still featured in this new series, the focus is on Sheila Dawson as she navigates her role as the new police chief amidst a murder investigation. She is a strong character, so it works to have the series shift to her while maintaining China's presence.




    Even though I guessed who the killer was before it was revealed, the story kept me interested as the details of motive and possible accomplices were worked out in the end. It was easy to read in a weekend while still having the kind of substantial storyline I've come to expect from the author. As always, the herbal facts sprinkled into the storyline were interesting.



    I think a spin-off series highlighting other characters from the China Bayles mysteries will work and I look forward to reading the next one.

    I received a copy of this book for review from the publisher but the opinion of it is my own and was not solicited, nor was a positive review required.

    1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted May 10, 2013

    Claw's Story

    Next result. They got messed up. Go to the next result now! Press da pretty x button!<br><br>~Fireshadow

    Was this review helpful? Yes  NoThank you for your feedback.   Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.

  • Anonymous

    Posted January 31, 2013

    Warrior TopNews! Adoption center

    Adoption news for today: Nightkit;a black kit with white flecks. Blue eyes. Soulkit; white kit with gray tabby lines. Yellow eyes. Crismonkit;reddish-brown kit with black tabby markings.

    0 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted October 20, 2012

    Hollystorm

    "I'll see if I can. I have to advertise for my clan, PoolClan, and "Yellowfang's Secret" is the only book I can post on. Whats our clans name?"

    0 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted October 20, 2012

    Flamestar

    Firecats clan. You dont have to.

    0 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted September 11, 2012

    Zeviah

    Fixes her den~zeviah

    0 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted September 10, 2012

    Darkclaw

    I will b back soon ur in charge for a while until i return

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  • Anonymous

    Posted May 23, 2012

    Thunderstrike

    I try.....

    0 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted April 5, 2012

    Great read

    Very enjoyable writer and storyline!

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  • Anonymous

    Posted March 19, 2012

    Brookshine

    I would like to jion

    0 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted March 14, 2012

    No text was provided for this review.

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    Posted September 14, 2012

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  • Anonymous

    Posted April 23, 2012

    No text was provided for this review.

  • Anonymous

    Posted October 20, 2012

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  • Anonymous

    Posted March 6, 2012

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