Books On Board
series Reading Order

China Bayles Books in Order

31 Books
2 Reading orders
1992 – 2012 Published
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Reading order

Where to Start with China Bayles

For the best experience, readers should start at the very beginning with Thyme of Death (1992). The series is best read in publication order because it follows the personal and professional evolution of China Bayles. Over the course of the series, China transitions from a solitary ex-lawyer running her Texas herb shop to a deeply rooted community member, wife, mother, and business owner. Reading the books in order allows you to fully appreciate these life changes, along with the development of the supporting cast in the fictional town of Pecan Springs, Texas.

Publication Order of the China Bayles Mysteries

Stick to the publication order to follow China's journey naturally. Here is the sequential order of all 29 novels in the main series:

  1. Thyme of Death (1992)
  2. Witches' Bane (1993)
  3. Hangman's Root (1994)
  4. Rosemary Remembered (1995)
  5. Rueful Death (1996)
  6. Love Lies Bleeding (1997)
  7. Chile Death (1998)
  8. Lavender Lies (1999)
  9. Mistletoe Man (2000)
  10. Bloodroot (2001)
  11. Indigo Dying (2003)
  12. Dilly of a Death (2004)
  13. Dead Man's Bones (2005)
  14. Bleeding Hearts (2006)
  15. Spanish Dagger (2007)
  16. Nightshade (2008)
  17. Wormwood (2009)
  18. Holly Blues (2010)
  19. Mourning Gloria (2011)
  20. Cat's Claw (2012)
  21. Widow's Tears (2013)
  22. Death Come Quickly (2014)
  23. Bittersweet (2015)
  24. Blood Orange (2016)
  25. The Last Chance Olive Ranch (2017)
  26. Queen Anne's Lace (2018)
  27. A Plain Vanilla Murder (2019)
  28. Hemlock (2021)
  29. Forget Me Never (2024)

Collections and Companion Books

Enhance your reading experience with these official companion publications:

  • An Unthymely Death and Other Garden Mysteries (2003): A delightful collection of short stories and herbal lore that fits well alongside the main novels.
  • China Bayles' Book of Days (2006): A non-fiction companion volume filled with recipes, historical herbal guides, crafts, and essays for fans of the series.

Spin-Offs and Pecan Springs Novellas

Susan Wittig Albert has expanded the Pecan Springs universe with two connected novella trilogies focusing on favorite supporting characters. These are available individually or as collected omnibus editions:

The Crystal Cave Trilogy (Ruby Wilcox)

Centers on China’s close friend and psychic shop owner, Ruby Wilcox, exploring her mystical talents and personal adventures:

  • NoBODY
  • SomeBODY Else
  • Out of BODY

The Pecan Springs Enterprise Trilogy (Jessica Nelson)

Focuses on Jessica Nelson, the intrepid crime reporter for the local town newspaper:

  • Deadlines
  • Fault Lines
  • Firelines

Substack Serializations

For a unique digital experience, A Bitter Taste of Garlic is a weekly serialized adaptation of Thyme of Death published on Susan Wittig Albert's Substack newsletter, Thyme, Place & Story, complete with author commentary and recipes.

Frequently Asked

QWhat is the recommended starting point for the China Bayles series?

You should start with Thyme of Death, the first novel published in 1992, to properly follow the characters' life progression and relationship development.

QCan the China Bayles books be read as standalones?

Yes. While there is a continuous character arc across the series, each mystery is self-contained and resolved within its own book, meaning you can jump in anywhere without getting lost.

QWhat is "A Bitter Taste of Garlic"?

It is a rewritten, weekly serialized digital version of the debut novel Thyme of Death, published on the author's Substack, Thyme, Place & Story.

QAre there any spin-offs set in Pecan Springs?

Yes, Susan Wittig Albert wrote two spin-off novella trilogies: The Crystal Cave Trilogy (focusing on Ruby Wilcox) and The Pecan Springs Enterprise Trilogy (focusing on Jessica Nelson).

QAre the China Bayles books co-authored?

No, the China Bayles books are written solely by Susan Wittig Albert. However, she did co-author the Robin Paige Victorian-Edwardian mysteries with her husband, Bill Albert.

QHow many main novels are in the China Bayles series?

As of 2024, there are 29 main novels in the series, starting with Thyme of Death (1992) and ending with Forget Me Never (2024).