Title: Witches’ Bane

Author: Susan Wittig Albert

Year Published: 1994

Why did you buy this book?

I read the first book in this series and I was hooked.

Do you like the cover?

Yes, again this is a simple but interesting cover.

Did you enjoy the book?

China Bayles is once again thrown into the middle of a murder that involves a friend. This time it involves Sybil one of China’s customers (with a fondness for poisonous plants) and her best friend (and shop tenant) Ruby. Ruby has everyone in an uproar because of her how-to classes on tarot cards. When Ruby’s tarot card and ceremony knife are found with Sybil’s body, not only is Ruby a suspect but several people in town are convinced Ruby is an evil witch. It doesn’t help there have been a few other crimes that look like the results of a cult.

I really enjoyed this story. Again China looks at the crime scene in her logical way and works her way through the evidence looking for answers before her friend is convicted of a crime based on local fears and small mindedness.

We also get a more in-depth look at China’s growing relationship with McQuaid a former cop now a teacher at the local university, working on his PhD and a single parent. I think their relationship adds more depth to China’s character as well as more layers on the story as a whole.

Was the author new to you and would you read something by this author again?

No I’ve read the first book in the ‘China Bayles Mystery’ series and I’m hooked. She has become a favorite author and I already have the next book in the series.

Are you keeping this book or passing it on?

I’m keeping it because I love to reread favor books…and I plan on collecting the whole series (I have along way to go…*G*)