In the book “Cats Cradle”, Kurt Vonnegut uses discreet humor, irony and his own made up religion, Bokononism to illustrate how science is both helpful and harming. His writing can be confusing to young readers considering his complex references. I ended the book with the realization that a crazy idea formed by a capable and credited person can have the power to demolish the aspects of life as we look at it.

The narrorator of the book, John is in the process of writing a book titled, The Day the World Ended. This book is about the day the atomic bomb was dropped on Hiroshima and in order to write it, John needs to do research on Felix Hoenikker who was one of the scientist involved with the atomic bomb. This book really made realize how though science is extremely helpful, credible, and has advanced society in many ways it also has been used to its advantage to cause the worst days in history. The narrator's perspective is what reveals the cruelty that has been done through the knowledge of science. This book would be favored by those who enjoy the different directions that science can go along with authentic humor and strong writing by remarkable Kurt Vonnegut.11 s Mason Wampler3

The book starts with John the main character researching about what Americans where doing when the atomic bomb was dropped on Japan. While researching this topic, John becomes involved with the children of Felix Hoenikker.John travels to Ilium, New York, to interview the Hoenikker children and others for his book. In Ilium John meets, among others, Dr. Asa Breed, who was the supervisor "on paper" of Felix Hoenikker. As the novel continues , John learns of a substance called ice-nine, created by the late Hoenikker and is now secretly in the possession of his children. Ice-nine is an alternative structure of water that is solid at room temperature. When a crystal of ice-nine contacts liquid water, it becomes a seed crystal that makes the molecules of liquid water arrange themselves into the solid form, ice-nine. John and the Hoenikker children eventually end up on the fictional Caribbean island of San Lorenzo, one of the poorest countries on Earth. The dictator thratens oppostion with impalemnt on a giant hook . John explore the island and discovers a cryptic society. To find out what john finds on the island you have to read the book.

I found this book very interesting and enjoyable, although I thought the book was confusing and hard to read. I would recommend this book to fans of Kurt Vonnegut. This is a difficult book to read and hard to understand and the book also uses many made-up words. 7 s Madelaine Cargill22 2

Kurt Vonnegut is my favorite author, and this book is probably the reason behind that. I share many of the same world views as Vonnegut, and his satirical writing style is one I try to imitate. In Cat's Cradle, Vonnegut brings to light world issues such as religion, science, and politics and ties them into an apocalyptic theme. This idea of an apocalypse, in what form it will happen, and how humans will react to it, is one of my favorite things to read and write about. I feel that Vonnegut does a spectacular job of turning it into something humans bring upon themselves by taking science too far, and how they either turn to religion as a reason to accept death, or allow their survival instincts to take over. By making this book a dark comedy, Vonnegut makes his ideas more potent.6 s Jim1,220 75

What more can I say? It's great Vonnegut. I've read it and reread it and will reread it again.4 s Vera-Michele565 60

2/5 Stars

I both know and don't know what I just read. 2 s Paige183 5

As usual, Vonnegut has provided a thought-provoking commentary on humanity and a possible avenue of its future. I found his use of religion and discussion of very interesting and thought-provoking in my own life. It caused me to really reflect on why I believe what I do and how that affects my way of life. I think this book is also skilled in addressing and identifying ways that religion functions in society, for better or for worse. I love the way Vonnegut writes: a fictitious story in which one could easily gloss over main points and big ideas if you're not paying attention. It keeps me engage in Vonnegut's side thoughts and ensures that I'm thinking critically throughout the book. Another great read.2 s John Brokaw4

Good read. Lots of twists and turns at the end that I wasn't expecting, considering the first 2/3 of the book. I d how chaotic and esoteric it was and the way everything amanged to tie itself together. Pretty easy to read as well. Took forever to finish it thanks to all the other stuff I had going on with covid and the lack of mental strength to get myself to just sit down and read. 1 Blake Kilmer6

If Kurt Vonnegut sincerely started a religion I would worship to it.

1 Sam1 review1 follower

Cat’s Cradle is a 1963 novella written by acclaimed satirist and author Kurt Vonnegut. Vonnegut, a veteran of the Second World War and researcher at General Electric, drew upon the experiences of horror, monotony, and hope to write many of his works. Cat’s Cradle is what he considered to be his masterpiece: a humorous, nihilistic, and depressing statement about the world and its values during the Cold War. The novella highlights the issues surrounding organized religion and the nuclear Arms Race. In typical Vonnegut style, the book opens with the narrator telling the speaker to call him a certain way, an obvious poke at Herman Melville’s Moby Dick. “Jonah” states that his story begins with writing a book about what various American families were doing at the time the atomic bomb was dropped on Hiroshima. Quickly, the tone of a lighthearted jab at a famous author shifts to the destruction of an entire city and the start of an era of fear. Throughout the book, Vonnegut continues to tell the story in the same way, in order to associate death and destruction with humor. Jonah’s investigations lead him to Dr. Hoenikker, a Manhattan Project scientist and father of several gifted children. By talking with his daughter, Jonah discovers Hoenikker had been working on a substance that would freeze liquid to allow troops to move across mud much more easily. The way this information is delivered greatly understates the destructive capabilities. Vonnegut introduces the substance “Ice Nine” as an analogy to the era’s ever-present threat of nuclear warfare. Jonah travels to the tiny island of San Lorenzo in the Caribbean, where he heard that one of Hoenikker’s sons is about to become leader of the island. San Lorenzo is also home of Bokononism, a strange religion adhering to the tenants of lies and apathy that is outlawed by the island’s military junta. Bokononism is perhaps Cat’s Cradle’s best comment on society. The central points lie in pretending there is a deeper meaning to life to achieve a deeper meaning to life, a vicious critique on organized religion as a whole. Because it is outlawed, the religion is highlighted as a kind of “apple of Eden” for the poor and ignorant island residents to take in order to achieve happiness. In short, the visit to San Lorenzo ends in disaster. Ice-nine is released into the world’s oceans and life ends quietly with a God indifferent to humanity's extinction. A funny, bleak, but ultimately moral tale about human flaws, Cat's Cradle is easily one of my favorite books.

4.5/51 MarkAuthor 14 books24

I don not usually LIKE books of criticism, books by critics, or the nature of criticism in general. Sometimes the search for meaning in books this is inflated by bogus intellectual constructions which have little bearing on the author's meaning. But, of course, all books are different, and this one was actually enjoyable, although there are many instances of the same passages (from Vonnegut) repeated through and through in different essays appearing here.
I was "turned on" by Vonnegut in 1969, when I grabbed a copy of Cat's Cradle off the shelf behind my English teacher's desk (thanks, Ms. Nelson!)- her personal reading shelf and "borrowed" it for a week. I was blown away in the first instance to finally have found the source for the name of the Grateful Dead's publishing company, "Ice-Nine Music". Ice-nine being Vonnegut's "end of the world" invention/toy- or rather that of Dr. Felix Hoenneker, one of the prime characters of the novel. I had heard a lot about KV being a "science fiction" writer, but this turned out to be a very different type of science fiction! Minimalist, satirical & humoristic. I ended up using Vonnegut's technique (or rather my own variation on it), for a number of shorts I wrote between 14 and 17, none of which survive. However, much of the approach has stuck with me, and Cat's Cradle is I think still Vonnegut's best, next to Slaughterhouse Five.
This book is good not only for some of the insights (again, many do get repeated!) into the plots and ideas central to Vonnegut's ouerve, but just as straight story-boards of them as well. Some of those books I read so long ago I had forgotten the primary lines of their plots! So it ends up being more or less a book ABOUT all of Vonnegut's books, at least, those up until this publication, and it does so in a way such as to inflame new interest, on my part, in going back and checking out what I might have missed in books Breakfast of Champions, Player Piano, etc.
all in all despite the repetitiousness in citing relevant passages this was a enjoyable way to spend a week or two, read mostly on short breaks before and after work.1 Vaibhhav10

One of Vonnegut's early and really brilliant works. I know that when reading it, one might think the author disillusioned, but the construct of using a made-up religion to lampoon the trivial nature of human things is genius. It could stand purely on its honesty and self-effacing humour in that regard.
You see the plot through the eyes of an author, and satire spins to black humour to sci-fi, to politics, and finally, raw, relentless humanity. black-humour recommended satire ...more1 Remi8 2

I was recently introduced to Kurt Vonnegut through a tv show I saw about him. Do you know that he survived a fire bombing in WWII and then had to find a way to write about the horrors of war in a way that would not hurt so much? He turned to science fiction. But this is not really science fiction. It is more about loneliness. 1 Judith FurediAuthor 4 books32

I remember it as enjoyable and different and part of my required reading. Vonnegut was a writer-in-residence at my college, for a while, and when I met him, he was totally not who I expected. This was one of the classics, though. I would need to re-read it. And so it goes...1 Aaron Kalafarski30

This was my first time reading a work of Vonnegut. The book leaned into the absurd. I enjoyed how stylized it was; I don't think I've read anything it. But just looking into a cat's cradle: 'No damn cat, and no damn cradle.’ -pg. 166

The sentences and chapters were short, but each was densely packed with information. However, finishing it left me with a feeling of emptiness: part of me wanted to laugh and another part wanted to immediately go onto a new book. I'm not sure what I got out of reading the book myself, but I do prefer to discuss works of art after finishing them so I definitely want to discuss it with someone in the future.

Overall I'd recommend this book to someone looking for something absurd and different to break up the monotony of the books they've been reading.

Here are some of my favorite quotes:
“As Bokonon says: ‘Peculiar travel suggestions are dancing lessons from God.’ “ -pg. 63
“ ‘Americans,’ he said, quoting his wife’s letter to the Times, ‘are forever searching for love in forms it never takes, in places it can never be. It must have something to do with the vanished frontier.’ “ -pg. 97
“Tiger got to hunt,
Bird got to fly,
Man got to sit and wonder, ‘Why, why, why?’
Tiger got to sleep,
Bird got to land,
Man got to tell himself he understand.” -pg. 182 Allison Lee61 1 follower

Disclaimer: not a fiction girlie; fiction just leaves me questioning plot points as “why?” and “am i supposed to read into this?”, whereas plot points in memoirs just …. I don’t question them as artistic choices bc such is life

Anyway, didn’t know what to expect from this book, and I never what direction it was going. Thought it was fitting to read alongside the winter storm hitting the country; photos of houses in the northeast after the blizzard passed provided some fitting imagery to the end.
Also fitting to read in parallel with the Oppenheimer trailer coming out. I honestly started picturing Cillian Murphy as Dr Hoenikker.

Ngl wasn’t all too impressed with it. Maybe I’ve seen too many Twilight Zone episodes inspired by Vonnegut’s work, where reading the original book seems … less shocking? But it was interesting. Chapters left me thinking, “sure, why not?” But maybe that’s just fiction for ya

I also personally enjoyed the short chapters and (from my copy of the book) small pages and big font.This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.Show full review Jared Bosecke18

I read slaughterhouse 5 many years ago and although I often get it confused with the other books I was reading at the time I remember it being a worthwhile read.

Having this book come into my possession when I was sick was the best thing that could've happened to it and incidentally myself. I really enjoyed the short chapters (if you can really call them that) for someone me with a limited attention span to things I struggle to stay on task with some books. That was not the case for this book. I blazed through it in a few sittings.

I also appreciated the authors liberal spattering of gibberish throughout the book initially it seems a crutch in order to convey some of the information but as the book reaches it's climax all the pieces begin to come together.

I've since read Breakfast of Champions which I also enjoyed but not as much as this one. I plan to read more Vonnegut in the future. Olivia17 30

"Charmingly real"

When I first read Cat’s Cradle by Kurt Vonnegut I loved it for its stream of conscious style, fluid prose, and witty references. I always d books that were referential. This one was not an exception.
Looking back, I can appreciate more than just the non sequitur, diving nature of the prose. Page by page I started to see what the writer was up to as he cast a spell. I realized that I enjoyed the writing not only because I d the storytelling, but because I was noticing each moment and more importantly perhaps each movement of the character’s working memory, family and educational life, inner world. I was falling into step with a pattern of being that would never, couldn’t possibly, be replicated in my own life or otherwise. I knew that I loved the fictional story. But what I loved more? It was so charmingly realistic. Andjelka Marjanovi?3

Ovo je druga Vonegatova knjiga koju sam pro?itala. Prva me je "oduvala" (Klanica 5 ili De?iji krstaški rat) , a druga zamalo. Snažna i upe?atljiva, ali slabije ja?ine jer sam ve? upoznata sa specifi?nim stilom pisanja i ve? mogu izdvojiti motive ,ve? mi je poznat piš?ev pogled na život i svet . Usamljenost, otu?enost, besmisao života i instinkt za preživljavanje, sve to u novoj sredini, u druga?ijim okolnostima , na kraju sveta.

" I setio sam se Bokononove ?etrnaeste knjige, koju sam u potpunosti pro?itao prethodne no?i. ?etrnaeste knjiga nosi naslov : ?emu može da se nada za ljudski rod na Zemlji razuman ?ovek, imaju?i u vidu iskustvo proteklih milion godina?
Ne traje dugo dok se pro?ita ?etrnaesta knjiga. Ona se sastoji od jedne re?i i od ta?ke.
Evo je :
"Ni?emu." Westley Forsythe1 review

Franky, I fail to see what all the fuss is about. Not bad, not earth shatteringly good either. A bit pedestrian; however, lots of idiosyncratic characters, who reveal the many flaws of human character, to keep you engaged just enough to persist.

The parallels between Bokononism and evangelicals' imagined persecution reveals the enduring nature of of some of the persistent delusions in American society.

The American ambassador's speech about the 100 martyrs to democracy is easily the book's highlight. Ashutosh33

This book is supposed to be a landmark in black humour and satire. Black it is.. but not sure about the humour or the satire.. Maybe these kind of books are not for me but this was too doomsday-ish for me. Margaux Miller50 5

honestly didn't love this one even though its considered one of his most prolific works. basically about this fake religion on this fake island idk ive read it twice and both times I was middd Paul16

Great to read an original story, with heavy sarcasm, entertaining characters by a super wordsmith. Chapter 4 is entitled 'A tentative tangling of tendrils'.

Lots of enjoyable anecdotes throughout an overall good, short and easy read. Freddy62

“Sometimes I wonder if he wasn't born dead. I never met a man who was less interested in the living. Sometimes I think that's the trouble with the world: too many people in high places who are stone-cold dead.”

“People have to talk about something just to keep their voice boxes in working order, so they’ll have good voice boxes in case there’s ever anything really meaningful to say.” Colby197

Interesting take on roles of religion and science and potential for impacting earth. Satire throughout, as told via lens of imaginary island, scientific discovery, and religion. Or is it? Arsene56 3

My first Vonnegut book. Oh the pleasure of discovering him was unbearable. They don't wrote them. this anymore. Sara-Jayne2

I truly enjoyed this book, and the twists in plot and theme. I am looking forward to reading more from this author. Brooke38

A fun read Stefani Grujic6 1 follower

What an interesting and fun trip! A great reflection of the absurdity of government and religion and innate human desires. I loved it. Rosa389

A well written book. Enjoyed reading it. juliane67

What the heck has happened to China? She used to be one of my favorite "cozy" amateur sleuths, but in this book she's short-tempered, pessimistic, and at times downright nasty. She is absolutely inexcusably rude to Ruby, my favorite character of all time. She expresses nothing but doubt about the marriage of Blackie and Sheila. And she is condescending and snotty regarding the women's quilt club that helps solve the mystery.

If the chapters hadn't alternated with her perspective and Sheila's, I might have packed it in. But Sheila was a pleasant change from the grumpy China.

Maybe she needs to take some St. John's Wort. She seems a bit short-tempered and stressed.

But that doesn't keep her from getting involved in the suspicious suicide of an acquaintance, Larry Kirk, who despite his anti-gun stance is found with an apparently self-inflicted gunshot wound. With Smart Cookie on the case, the mystery unravels in short order.

Far from the best in the series, but not totally awful. I do think China needs an attitude adjustment though. 3 s Cheryl822 19

Taking a side step and allowing a supporting character to share the lead, Albert give police chief, Sheila Dawson more letter space in this multi-faceted mystery. First a computer repair business break-in with the high-profile perp on video, then the suicide-cum-homicide of the shop owner, followed by the act of nature death by mountain lion of the B&E suspect. It’s a wraparound that spins in a wayward spiral, collecting several other suspects and possibilities.

Good suspense, great dialogue, and a couple cute laughs via a group of gray-hairs. Once again, ex-lawyer/herb shop owner, China Bayles adds important discoveries to the cases and maintains her sleuth queen status, while still maintaining a business, household, family of 4 and an ever growing zoo of critters. horticulmysteries3 s Mary Kay134

Loved a book from Smart Cookie's point of view!3 s Alannah Davis304 11

Another excellent entry in the China Bayles series. In this one, #20 in the series, China is more of a supporting player while the spotlight moves to police chief Sheila Dawson. I enjoyed this shift in focus. It's a kick to be able to get into the head of a recurring character who previously has been seen primarily from China's point of view.

The mystery starts with a computer guru who has presumably committed suicide over his crumbling marriage. Soon, however, it's looking more homicide than suicide. A plot with intricate twists and turns follows, including the neat inclusion of a mountain lion whose habitat has been invaded.

My only issue with "Cat's Claw" is that while getting into Sheila's background, the author reveals the ending of one of the previous books. Argh! I hate when authors do this. I've read the entire series up to this point, but someone else might not have. I've come in late on other series in which the author revealed spoilers from previous books, after which I decide not to bother going back to read the first books because I already know the ending(s). This includes one of Susan Wittig Albert's own series - the Beatrix Potter one. So please, Susan, don't do this anymore!

Other than that, I love this book. It thoroughly absorbed me from beginning to end. 2 s Moondance1,055 58

Four members of the Texas Star Quilting Club, armed with needles, thread, thimbles, and scissors, were seated on either side of the wooden quilting frame set up in Ethel Warren's dining room at 1113 Pecan Street.

Book number twenty in the China Bayles series focuses on Police Chief Sheila Dawson, Smart Cookie to her friends. Larry Kirk, a local computer guru, is found by Ruby's sister Ramona in what appears to be a suicide. Sheila tags along with Detective Jack Bartlett to evaluate the scene with him. Too many things don't add up and both quickly decide that they have a murder on their hands.

This was a nice change of pace to have Sheila's point of view. China was still around and stumbles onto her own body that is connected to Larry. The storyline with the mountain lion showing how we are taking away their natural habitats is timely and well handled.

This series always intrigues me. I always learn something new and find a need to do more research on certain elements that are presented.

Well written book that I truly enjoyed. I'm trying to catch up with this series.

I highly recommend this series. If you ever have the opportunity to see Susan i person, please do, She is an absolute gem!china-bayles cops favorite-author ...more2 s Kristen1,435

"Police Chief Sheila Dawson believes the death of Pecan Spring's computer guru, Larry Kirk, to be a suicide, perhaps triggered by his painful divorce. 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."

The China Bayles books are cozy mysteries set in the Texas Hill country. Until this one, they were all told by China. In this book Albert deviated from her pattern and put alternating chapters in from China's first person point of view and third person about Sheila Dawson. That was fine with me.

The reason I'm giving this 2 stars is two fold. One - this is a series and therefore a reader does expect to put up with some amount of review of the series, but by page 75 I was skipping whole pages in the China voice, because I just couldn't stand to read stuff I knew already. Two - that tired mystery plot has been used by everyone.2012 mysteries2 s LInda L4,131 9

I am not very familiar with this series -- I may have read one. However, I enjoyed this one a lot. Sheila Dawson was an interesting character and her friendship with China Bayles helped the story move along. Not a FANTASTIC mystery, but it kept me turning the pages. I may try a few more of Albert's series -- I d it. 2 s Julie19

I the "fluffy" mystery aspect of this series. The book held my attention, but I figured out who the murderer was waaaay too soon to have really enjoyed the book. The dark undertones of the subplots were also a little more than I , but I did enjoy the little act of karma.mystery2 s Sally Andrews1,241 2

I've read almost all of these books and they are all very good. I d the story being told from not only China Bayles' point of view, but that of the police chief, aka Smart Cookie. Zipped through this one in two days' time.2 s Nancy H2,798

Another great read in the Pecan Springs mystery series.2 s Kristenkhaleesi71 1 follower

I really enjoying reading Shelia’s POV. It was nice change of pace and a more extensive look at that side of the crime coin in the cozy mysteries. 2 s Sue2,090 30

Sheila Dawson, Chief of Police in Pecan Springs, & China Bayles take turns telling the intertwined stories of two crimes that have occurred in town. As their husbands travel to Mexico on a missing child case, the women are busy with work, & Sheila decides to get out from behind her desk & work on some real police work in the field. The decision is fraught with political implications as a high-profile citizen is accused of a break-in at a local computer repair shop, whose owner later commits suicide. China accidentally gets involved when she discovers an email from the dead man that she had missed in her Inbox. It's a good story & as always, it's fun to hang out in Pecan Springs, Texas with the locals. mystery series southern ...more1 Barbara Nutting2,951 133

Smart Cookie AKA Sheila Dawson, the Chief of Police, takes center stage in this story - a nice change. There was more depth to the plot and it moved quickly.

I have come to the conclusion, after reading 20 books in this series, that they could be a lot shorter if every bite of food and each article of clothing worn was not described in minute detail!!

Please remember, my rating stars are against the other books in the series, not against other books in general.1 Heidi Burkhart2,275 50

I have really enjoyed most of the China Bayles books, however not this one so much. China was moved to the sidelines and it weakened my interest in this lukewarm book. 1 Robina114

Two viewpoints - China’s and Sheilah’s (the first woman Pecan Spring chief of police). Some unexpected twists and turns. 20th in the series1 Larraine1,006 14

If you are a long time reader of Ms. Albert's China Bayles series, you'll notice a slight change. This book is written from Sheila Dawson's perspective. Sheila is the first female head of the Pecan Springs Police Dept and has recently married the former sheriff, Blackie. He resigned his position and decided to go into business with China's husband as a private detective. Dawson is finding it a little daunting at times to navigate the political ins and outs of a small town as the first female head of the police department.

When a local man is found murdered, she assigns the case to one of the detectives. Her next in command (and also the one she bested when she got her job) is taking some well-deserved time off. She also takes the unusual step of assigning herself as second to the detective to whom she has assigned the case. When a local computer shop owner is found dead in his home, it initially looks suicide. However, things don't add up.

The case soon takes quite a few twists and turns. I enjoyed this book, although I have mixed emotions about the book being written from a different character's point of view.

It could be that China's character has run its course. She is happily married. She and her husband have adopted her niece, plus his own son is a senior in high school. Both kids call her Mom. There's no more conflict there, whereas there's still plenty of possibility for conflict in Sheila's life. We'll see. I'm not a fan of the author's newer series nor of the other older series she writes. This was an interesting read, but the herbal angle really didn't have much to do with anything in this book. We'll see how the series progresses. 1 Helen989 12

I have read most of this series and enjoyed them all. The portrayal of the town is consistent to the extent that I'm thinking of going back and creating a map. With this #20 MS Albert changes tactics slightly. China Bayles has always been written in first person and in this book she still is, but there are chapters written in third person for the police chief Sheila Dawson and an opening chapter with the Texas Star Quilters. I think this was a good decision on her part because it means that she can have Smart Cookie doing her police work right there, whether China is present or not. It also puts distance between Police Chief Dawson and civilian Bayles as there should be. All the characters are here: Mike and Blackie, Brian and Caitie, Howard Cosell and Rambo. There is also Oodles the miniature white poodle who is just as annoying as you would imagine. We learn about the cat's claw vine and its relatives and are introduced to a number of herbal products. There is a passage about a mountain lion that vividly brings that magnificent animal to life.
The plot deals with suicide, computers, blackmail, divorce, and a couple of other things. MS Albert makes the story flow very smoothly from first to third person and back depending on the characters and there is never an awkward transition. I have a feeling we may see more stories from the Pecan Springs Police Department with China Bayles allowed to have only a sideline view of the action. I'm sure that would suit China (and Mike) just fine. cosy-mystery fiction modern-mystery1 Connie749 10

This is the latest book in the Pecan Street Mystery series. I have enjoyed reading each of the books in the series as well as the Darling Dahlias Mysteries by the same author.

The books are easy, entertaining "cozies" that normally feature China Bayles, who is a criminal defense attorney turned herbalist and shop/tearoom owner along with her "New Age " friend and business partner, Ruby Wilcox. The books always seem the adventures of "Lucy and Ethyl" with a slight mystery twist and a Texas setting.

However, in "Cat's Claw", Police Chief Sheila Dawson, (alias Smart Cookie), is the main character. This title deals with a crime and focuses on the investigation and the details of the crime. It almost seemed a "light" police procedural. I did not care for this and hope that Ms Albert does not continue this new theme in future books.

Ms Albert also seemed to be experimenting with adding "light" sexual scenes to this book. I am definitely not a prude, but I found these very brief scenes or allusions to be completly out of place in a Pecan Street Mystery. Again, I compare this book to the adventures of Lucy and Ethyl and think how jarring any kind of sexual scene, no matter how simple, would be completely out of place.

After writing all of this, I am eagerly looking forward to the next Pecan Street Mystery or Darling Dahlias Mystery.1 Fredell289 1 follower

Really did enjoy this new installment of the China Bayles Mysteries--"A Pecan Springs Mystery with Sheila Dawson and China Bayles".
Police Chief Sheila Dawson believes the death of Pecan Spring's computer guru, Larry Kirk, to be a suicide, perhaps triggered by his painful divorce. Further investigation reveals that Kirk's death wasn't self-inflicted. Her friend China Bayles gives her information that Larry recently asked her for legal advice in regards to a stalker.Also leading citizen,George Timms, was caught breaking into Larry's computer shop to steal his own computer back because of dangerous personal information it contained. Now that Larry is dead, she's sure it's connected to the burglary.
When it Timms's mutually agreed upon time to turn himself in to the police comes and goes, and he's nowhere to be found. China accidentally finds him dead, killed by a mountain lion at his "secret hideaway" in the hills of east Texas. So, he is no longer a suspect in murder of Kirk, he is still the subject of the investigation of the burglary--to cover up his pornographic proclivities.
As the first female police chief in Pecan Springs, Sheila meets with much dissension and doubt.
But she persists and eventually the real murderer is found--a disgruntled employee of Kirk's computer shop who was blackmailing customers with what he found on their computers.1 Grey8531,394 54

I suppose the author might be launching a new series with the character of Sheila Dawson. This book is about half China, half Sheila. I really enjoyed the parts with China. That character really resonates with me. I enjoy her perspective and cozy descriptions of the plants, her shop, her relationships. It's all golden because even when she finds a dead body, there's a rush of energy that just doesn't come through with the Dawson sections.

The character of Sheila Dawson leaves me cold. That part of the storytelling is more a police procedural than a cozy.

When I'm in the mood for that kind of book, that's great, but when I pick up a China Bayles story, she's who I want to read about. I want all the details of how she and her husband are coping with the kids, his job, her shop, a new local murder, all that stuff that makes for a good cozy.

Sadly, that's only about half the book in this case. Plus, the mystery wasn't much of a mystery. In a cozy, that's okay because one nearly always has other material. In a procedural, the police usually solve the case and then it's over, no real emotional payoff.

While it was an okay book, it just didn't deliver what I expected which was a lot of China Bayles and her story.



mystery1 Karen402 1 follower

The China Bayles mystery series has added one of its characters as a co-main character now. In "Cat's Claw," we meet the police chief of Pecan Springs, Texas, a smart, tough woman who fights the good ol' boys system and the rising crime rate in this small Texas town. China Bayles, a retired criminal attorney-turned-small-herbal-shop-owner/detective and Sheila Dawson, the new sheriff, are best friends who are married to former law-enforcement-turned-private investigators. While the boys are off private investigating, Sheriff Dawson has a double murder to solve. The neatest thing about this book in this series is that we get to see how an officer takes the various first impressions, clues, back stories, and forensic science, puts the puzzle together, one piece at a time. I thoroughly enjoyed reading about the crime-solving techniques and the brain power used in bringing several people to justice. A great read for any time of the year. Fun to read in order but each book in this series gives a brief history of who the characters are and previous murders solved so the reader feels up to date in China and Sheila's lives. Enjoy!1 Ed5,305 56

In China Bayles #20, a shift in focus from China to Sheila Dawson, police chief, gives Susan Wittig Albert the opportunity to breathe new life into the series.

China Bayles comes to the aid of her friend Sheila Dawson, the female police chief in Pecan Springs, Texas. Larry Kirk, the local techie, is found dead in his kitchen. It may be suicide, since he was in the midst of a difficult divorce, but China tells Sheila that he had asked her for help dealing with a stalker. Other evidence casts doubt on suicide. Sheila is also dealing with sexism in her department and a high-profile case involving George Timms, a local bigwig who was caught burglarizing Kirk's computer stores. Could the cases be related? When George disappears, Sheila's investigation uncovers some shocking secrets that could be a motive for murder. cozy-mystery law-enforcement plant-centric1 C.J. PrinceAuthor 9 books27

Book #20 in the China Bayles mystery series shifts focus. We usually find the entire novel unfolding from China's point of view. In "Cat's Claw", China's friend and Chief of Police Sheila Dawson has at least half of the book unfolding from her point of view told in the third person. An interesting device and allowing author Susan Wittig Albert to expand the scenes with two people unfolding the action.

And there is action. And a suicide or a murder? With fine story telling skills, Albert does not let us down in this continuing plot shifts and tension. And don't forget the old ladies.

You might miss Ruby but she apparently makes up for her low profile in this book by starring in #21.

I cannot find a listing for #22 and dread the wait for Susan Wittig Albert's next book.

This is perfect fall into winter reading!!!1 Jeannie and Louis Rigod1,990 36

This current novel in the wonderful series of Pecan Springs Mysteries is set from the viewpoint of Police Chief Sheila Dawson. To me, this was an excellent change in writing direction. China Bayles is still very prominent, as she would be, being Sheila's friend. Now, we can have a wider range of stories from the wonderful mind of Ms. Wittig Albert.

A Pecan Springs resident has comitted suicide...or has he? Police Chief Dawson uses this case to get back in the field for a bit. What she begins to see, along with a new character, Jack Bartlett, of the PSPD, is a far more complex crime than the ladies of the Texas Star Quilting Club suspects!

I truly enjoyed this novel and am hooked on the change of viewpoints.

Now to wait for the next adventure.1 Ellen Moore681 6

Another good book in the China Bayles series. Blackie and Sheila had gotten married, and Blackie was working with McQuaid as a private detective instead of being county sherriff. The murder of a man who was the local computer guru absorbed the Pecan Springs Police Dept., and much of this book is told from the perspective of the Police Chief Sheila. China is helpful in the investigation since McQuaid and Blackie are away rescuing a child kidnapped from his father and taken to Mexico. The book also involves other crimes and a prominent resident who fails to appear and surrender at the scheduled time for his arrest. This book kept my attention.1 George1,894 14

#20 in the China Bayles mystery series. Though composed of the same characters, locations, plant mentions, a murder mystery and recipes in this series this is different in that instead of China carrying the load and solving the mystery, China's good friend and police chief Shelia Dawson carries the load. China discovers a body and contributes towards the solution, but it is Sheila who solves it and carries the load here and around half the story follows Sheila in her efforts.

An interestin departure in the series, but still a very interesting and good read.1 Jennifer Gelert278 4

Another one of my favorite characters! It was interesting to find her as a minor character in this book. Her friend, Chief of Police, Shelia Dawson is the lead. A murder is committed in the small town of Pecan Springs and is made to look suicide. Shelia decides she needs to get from behind the desk and work in the field again on this case.

I still saw plenty of China and her involvement, but enjoyed learning more about the other characters. I also love the blurbs Susan includes on herbs and the recipes she shares at the end.1 Robin Webb196 7

This is a great addition to the China Bayles series! In Cat's Claw, Susan Wittig Albert allows Sheila Dawson (aka Tough Cookie, Smart Cookie)to have a voice. Instead of the usual first person narration of China, she uses Sheila in most of the chapters. And although China plays an important role, she is not the "star" this time. You don't need to read the other books in the series to understand what's going on and who-is-who(although you should)! 5 stars!!!1 Peggy73

I really enjoyed this one. I that Shelia is the narrator , fresh change that was needed. Hope Susan keeps up with this for a while. I love China but she really was getting to "wordy", telling us the same information over and over again. Also the last few books, I felt that China was to involved in trying to catch the criminals that she put not only herself but her "children" in serious danger.co-cozy-myster1 Kerri Northey45 1 follower

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