The Last Chance Olive Ranch (China Bayles Mystery) - Tapa dura

Praise for Susan Wittig Albert's New York Times bestselling China Bayles Mysteries

"[Albert] consistently turns out some of the best-plotted mysteries on the market."--Houston Chronicle

"Engrossing...China continues to appeal with her herbal information and savvy sleuthing."--Booklist (starred review)

"[China Bayles is] such a joy...An instant friend."--Carolyn Hart, New York Times bestselling author

"One of the best-written and [most] well-plotted mysteries I've read in a long time."--Los Angeles Times

"Albert's dialogue and characterizations put her in a class with lady sleuths V. I. Warshawski and Stephanie Plum."--Publishers Weekly

In this exciting mystery from New York Times bestselling author Susan Wittig Albert, China Bayles fears for her husband’s life as an escaped convict targets him...
 
Max Mantel, the killer McQuaid put away years ago, has busted out of the Huntsville prison and appears to be headed for Pecan Springs. McQuaid knows there’s only one way to stop the vengeful convict—set a trap with himself as bait.
 
China wants to stay by her husband’s side and keep him from harm. But McQuaid  insists that she get out of town and go to the Last Chance Olive Ranch, where she’s agreed to teach a workshop on herbs.
 
When China and her best friend arrive at the ranch, she learns the owner, Maddie Haskell, has her own troubles. She inherited the ranch and olive oil business from the late matriarch, Eliza Butler, but Eliza’s nephew is contesting the will.
 
While China throws herself into helping Maddie, McQuaid’s plan backfires when Mantel executes a countermove he never saw coming. Now McQuaid’s life is not the only one at stake—and this time may really be his last chance...