Lavender Lies

The Eighth China Bayles Mystery

by Susan Wittig Albert

"Good riddance" is the response of most Pecan Springs residents to the murder of Edgar Coleman, a local real estate shark found shot to death in his garage. With the small-town gossip mill running full tilt, it doesn't take long for China to learn that Coleman had numerous affairs and was blackmailing City Council members for their votes on a bad land development deal.

But the timing of this particular crime couldn't be worse, for China's wedding to long-time lover Mike McQuaid is just a few days away and she's busy making the last-minute arrangements. With McQuaid now serving as interim police chief, and the suspect list growing longer by the minute, China can forget about a honeymoon--unless she can locate the killer.

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Pointing handDiscussion questions for Lavender Lies
Warning! Contains spoilers (plot hints).

Lavender

Lavender


If you love lavender, you're not alone in your passion. The clean, refreshing scent of its delicate flowers was cherished by the Egyptians (who used it to make mummies), the Phoenicians, the Greeks, and the Romans (who called it lavender, from their verb lavere, to wash), and by gardeners everywhere. The plant has been used to scent soaps, cosmetics, potpourris, and sachets. You can also use it in your bath, or put a few drops of essential oil on your hair brush. You can even use it to flavor cookies and cakes, make tangy vinegars and punches, and brew fragrant teas. You can also weave lavender hearts.

Lavender Muffins

  • 1 cup flour
  • 1/4 cup sugar
  • 1 tablespoon dried lavender
  • 1 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
  • pinch of salt
  • 1/2 cup applesauce
  • 1/2 stick of butter
  • 1 egg
  • 1/2 teaspoon almond extract

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Combine the dry ingredients in one bowl, the wet ingredients in another. Add the wet to the dry, stirring only until the dry ingredients are moistened. (Do not beat.) Fill greased muffin tin (or paper muffin cups). Bake about 20 minutes, until golden. Makes 1 dozen.

Seventh book in the series: Chile Death

Ninth book in the series: Mistletoe Man

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