Mourning Gloria is the latest of Susan Wittig Albert’s bestselling mysteries featuring China Bayles. A former defense attorney, China decided years ago to trade in her briefcase for gardening gloves and now owns an herb shop in Pecan Springs, Texas. Along with her best friend Ruby Wilcox, she also owns a tearoom and a catering service, and also has a booth at the new Pecan Springs Farmers’ Market. China is happily married to private investigator Mike McQuaid, and is a mother to her 11-year-old niece Caitlin and Mike’s teenage son Brian.

Although China is out of the courtroom, she still can’t seem to get away from crime. One evening on her way home, China notices a trailer on fire near the roadside. She hears someone calling for help from within the trailer, but is unable to get to the woman in time to save her. While China tries to put the awful memories of the victim’s cries for help out of her mind, a new intern at the local paper keeps asking her questions about what she witnessed. The intern, Jessica Nelson, gets deeply involved in her own investigation of the fire for more than just professional reasons, then disappears. In spite of her initial resolve to stay out of it, China soon feels compelled to retrace Jessica’s steps to determine if the young journalist‘s disappearance is tied to the arson/murder and help to locate her.

As a longtime reader of this series, I enjoyed the chance to catch up with China and Ruby and the rest of their friends and family in Pecan Springs. China is an interesting main character. She’s smart and creative and is a good wife, friend, and mother as well as a successful businesswoman. She and Ruby are opposites in many ways, but have a great friendship and business relationship. Ruby appears throughout the book, but her role in the investigation is smaller than usual. Ruby is such a memorable character; it’s not quite the same when she isn’t as involved in the main storyline. McQuaid and Brian have even smaller parts in this book, but it was nice to get to know her niece Caitlin who is now living with China and McQuaid. China and Ruby’s likeable friends Police Chief Sheila Dawson and her on-again/off-again fiancé Sheriff Blackie Blackwell appear frequently in this installment, which helps fill the void of those characters with smaller roles.

The author tells the story using a friendly, conversational tone. As an example, when describing a local restaurant, China advises, “But I’m not a cilantro fan. Maybe you are. Next time you’re eating at Beans’, order the soup and see what you think.” Often when the author is providing background information for new readers, she uses this chatty style of writing. “In case you’re new to our little group, Grace is Ruby’s eighteen-month-old granddaughter - a real cutie-pie.” This is a great way to catch up new readers and stay within the style of the rest of the narration. It personally draws you in and makes you feel like part of the town and invested in the story,

Some of the chapters of the book are told from the point of view of one of the supporting characters. This technique helps move the plot along and also gives the reader information that is important to the plot, but can’t be learned from China.

All of the chapters begin with information or quotes about herbs and other plants. China shares her love and knowledge of herbs with the reader. These introductions aren’t just gimmicks; the information shared is directly related to the storyline. The tidbits about herbs that are included are the highlight of each of the China Bayle mysteries, and helps make them special. In Mourning Gloria, the chapter introductions are all related to mood-altering plants which play a part in the book‘s plot.

Throughout the book, China is right in the middle of the investigation into the murder and Jessica’s disappearance, but her involvement is believable. Unlike many amateur sleuths, China wisely turns over leads she uncovers to the sheriff. She wants to help others, but doesn’t take foolish chances. The result is a face-paced interesting mystery grounded in reality.

Current readers of this series, as well as fans of Laura Childs and Diane Mott Davidson, will enjoy having a nice visit with China, enjoying an intriguing mystery, and learning interesting facts about herbs all in one.

Reviewed by: Christine K.