Susan Wittig Albert
Pseudonym: Robin Paige.
http://www.mysterypartners.com
Born in Chicago on January 2, 1940, and raised on an
Illinois farm, Albert got married at the age of eighteen.
Despite the challenge of being a young mother raising three
children born fairly close together, Albert was determined
to get her college degree. She graduated magna cum laude
from the University of Illinois, and earned a Ph.D. in
English from the University of California at Berkeley in
just four years. Her first job, in 1972, was an Associate Professor of
English at the University of Texas at Austin. In 1979, she
became the first woman dean of Newcomb College at Tulane
University in New Orleans and in 1981, she returned to
Texas and became Vice President of Academic Affairs at
Southwest Texas State in San Marcos. Four years later,
however, she abandoned her thriving career to make some
major life changes. Having become thoroughly fed up with
academic politics, she quit and decided to find a better
way to live her life. One change was her marriage, in 1986, to Bill Albert, a
computer systems analyst who would become not only her
husband, but also her partner in many other pursuits—most
importantly, in her writing. Moving to Texas, the Alberts
started off by collaborating on 60-plus young adult novels,
including books in the Nancy Drew and the Hardy Boys
series. As they came to appreciate Bill's talent for
constructing wickedly complex plots, the Alberts moved on
to write a series of Victorian mysteries under the
pseudonym of Robin Paige. Susan also wrote two works of
nonfiction, Work of Her Own: A Woman's Guide to Success Off
the Career Track and Writing from Life. But it was not
until she created the plucky China Bayles and her savory
mysteries that Susan Albert developed her trademark series.
She created China Bayles, a sleuth who jumped off the fast
track at a big law firm to open a herb shop. Now Albert has
written twelve China Bayles mysteries. Each book is named
after a favorite herb. "Herbs are about coming home, putting down roots, making
connections," Albert reflects. An avid gardener, she
cultivates her own herbs, both culinary and ornamental, and
never writes about one she hasn't grown. Also an avid
researcher, Albert enjoys delving into ancient lore,
medicinal uses and symbolic associations surrounding
each "signature" herb. She then weaves intricate narrative
tangles for her star sleuth and supporting cast of colorful
characters.
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Books
The Tale of Oat Cake Crag
(The Cottage Tales of Beatrix Potter #7)
September 6, 2011
Miss Beatrix Potter has returned to Near Sawrey, where her
friend Grace has been receiving anonymous letters that
threaten her good name and her plans to marry. Beatrix must
investigate quietly so as Read more...
The Tale of Castle Cottage
(The Cottage Tales of Beatrix Potter #8)
September 6, 2011
The latest in the Cottage Tales series—starring
Miss Potter herself!
It’s the heart of summer in 1913, and Beatrix is eager
to marry her fiancé, solicitor William Heelis. But
there are a few obstacles Read more...
The Darling Dahlias and the Cucumber Tree
(The Darling Dahlias #1)
July 5, 2011
The good old ladies of Darling, Alabama, are determined to
keep their town beautiful. The Darling Dahlias garden club
is off to a good start until rumors of trouble at a bank, Read more...
The Darling Dahlias and the Naked Ladies
(The Darling Dahlias #2)
July 5, 2011
A brand-new mystery in the “exceptional”
(Booklist) series by the national bestselling
author.
Rumors are sprouting in Depression-era Darling, Alabama. The
town’s newest visitors, Nona Jean Jamison and Miss
Lake, may be the Naughty Read more...
Holly Blues
(A China Bayles Mystery #18)
April 5, 2011
China Bayles isn’t happy when a Texas wind blows her
husband’s ex-wife, and the mother of China’'s
stepson, into her herb shop. Sally is known to have a split
personality and fall into Read more...
Mourning Gloria
(A China Bayles Mystery #19)
April 5, 2011
Another herbal treat from national bestselling author
Susan Wittig Albert.
While Pecan Springs bustles back to life in the warmth of
spring, one woman’s life is tragically brought to an
end. China Bayles Read more...
The Tale of Oat Cake Crag
(The Cottage Tales of Beatrix Potter #7)
September 7, 2010
In 1911, the Water Bird, England’s very first
hydroplane, began making test flights on Lake
Windermere—much to the consternation of the neighbors,
the farmers, and the animals of the Land Between the Lakes.
This Read more...
The Tale of Applebeck Orchard
(The Cottage Tales of Beatrix Potter #6)
September 7, 2010
After his haystack was torched, Mr. Harmsworth barricaded a
common path through his orchard. But witnesses—both
human and animal—claim a ghost perpetrated the deed.
And the ghost has a message that Miss Potter Read more...
The Darling Dahlias and the Cucumber Tree
(The Darling Dahlias #1)
July 6, 2010
From the national bestselling author of the China
Bayles mysteries—a brand-new series about some
spunky lady sleuths in Depression-era Alabama.
The country may be struggling through the Great Depression,
but the ladies of Read more...
Wormwood
(A China Bayles Mystery #17)
April 6, 2010
Evil can worm its way into the purest of hearts...
China Bayles needs rest, and a historic Shaker village in
Kentucky seems the ideal place for it. There she can learn
about Read more...
Holly Blues
(A China Bayles Mystery #18)
April 6, 2010
“In a class with...sleuths V.I. Warshawski and
Stephanie Plum,” China Bayles deals with a most
unwelcome guest...
China Bayles is fit to spit when her husband’s
troubled ex-wife, Sally, shows up at her Read more...
The Tale of Applebeck Orchard
(The Cottage Tales of Beatrix Potter #6)
September 1, 2009
The latest delightful tale in Albert's Beatrix Potter
series.
Out of spite for having his haystacks burnt, Mr. Harmsworth
barricades a common path through his orchard—and
Tabitha Twitchet and her Cat Council want answers. Read more...
The Tale of Briar Bank
(The Cottage Tales of Beatrix Potter #5)
September 1, 2009
Near Sawrey, the seat of Miss Beatrix Potter's country home,
has been abuzz ever since Mr. Wickstead met his death under
a tree limb. Many believe it had to do with a Read more...
Nightshade
(A China Bayles Mystery #16)
April 7, 2009
China's still reeling from her father's death and has no
interest in her halfbrother Miles's investigation. But when
fate forces her to get involved, China realizes it's time to
bring the past to Read more...
Wormwood
(A China Bayles Mystery #17)
April 7, 2009
"In a class with...sleuths V.I. Warshawski and Stephanie
Plum,"(Publishers Weekly) China Bayles stumbles over
old secrets in a Shaker village.
China's friends and family are urging her to get some
rest—and a Kentucky Shaker Read more...
The Tale of Briar Bank
(The Cottage Tales of Beatrix Potter #5)
September 30, 2008
Near Sawrey, the seat of Miss Potter's country home, is
abuzz—Mr. Wickstead has died under a tree limb. The
villagers are certain that his death had to do with a
treasure he dug Read more...
The Tale of Hawthorn House
(The Cottage Tales of Beatrix Potter #4)
September 2, 2008
Miss Beatrix Potter finds the abandoned Baby Flora—and
a scarab ring—on her doorstep. An investigation reveals
that the ring was pawned and reclaimed by a resident of the
vacant and supposedly haunted Hawthorn Read more...
Spanish Dagger
(A China Bayles Mystery #15)
April 1, 2008
While harvesting yucca plants to make paper, China Bayles
finds a body—cause of death: unknown. It seems that the
simple lives of many residents of Pecan Springs hide complex
and dangerous pasts. And Read more...
Nightshade
(A China Bayles Mystery #16)
April 1, 2008
China's herb shop and catering business may be thriving, but
she's still reeling from her father's death, and not even
remotely interested in her half-brother Miles's
investigation into that event. China's husband, on Read more...
The Tale of Hawthorn House
(The Cottage Tales of Beatrix Potter #4)
September 4, 2007
A brand-new mystery in the endearing Beatrix Potter
series from a national bestselling author.
During Sawrey's annual summer fte, Miss Beatrix Potter
receives an unexpected visitor in the form of Baby Flora,
left in Read more...
Bleeding Hearts
(A China Bayles Mystery #15)
April 3, 2007
When local football coach and hero Tim Duffy is accused of
improper behavior, lawyer-turned-herbalist China Bayles
investigates, following a trail of obsession and murder that
may lead to her own doorstep. Read more...
Spanish Dagger
(A China Bayles Mystery #16)
April 3, 2007
Between the herb shop, the catering business, and a weekend
paper-making class, China Bayles has her work cut out for
her. And now China's half-brother is opening up old wounds,
trying to investigate Read more...
The Tale of Cuckoo Brow Wood
(The Cottage Tales of Beatrix Potter)
February 6, 2007
Beatrix Potter loves the warmth of Sawrey, her new hometown.
But even the kindest of souls can turn snappish when
houseguests overstay their welcome. When Beatrix returns
from time away, she finds the Read more...
China Bayles' Book of Days
October 3, 2006
A companion treasury from the author of the national
bestselling series.
Readers of the China Bayles mystery novels are familiar with
the usefulness and wonder of the many herbs the amateur
sleuth sells in Read more...
The Tale Of Holly How
(The Cottage Tales of Beatrix Potter #2)
July 5, 2006
By now, Beatrix Potter, the beloved children's author,
has won over human and animal hearts alike in her new home,
the sleepy village of Sawrey. In this new novel, animal
lover Miss Potter Read more...
The Tale Of Cuckoo Brow Wood
(The Cottage Tales of Beatrix Potter #3)
June 27, 2006
Beatrix Potter loves the warmth of Sawrey, her new hometown.
But even the kindest of souls can turn snappish when
houseguests overstay their welcome. When Beatrix returns
from time away, she finds the Read more...
Bleeding Hearts
(A China Bayles Mystery)
April 4, 2006
High school football coach Tim Duffy is handsome, charming,
and married into a wealthy local family. But now, an
anonymous accuser has made shocking allegations of improper
behavior—and China Bayles is asked to Read more...
Dead Man's Bones
(A China Bayles Mystery #13)
April 4, 2006
Texas ex-lawyer and herbalist China Bayles digs into murders
past and present, as a dead man's bones are
uncovered—and a community gathering is interrupted by
murder...
China Bayles already has her hands full balancing Read more...
The Tale Of Hill Top Farm
(The Cottage Tales of Beatrix Potter)
October 4, 2005
First Time In Paperback
The author of Peter Rabbit and other tales, Beatrix Potter
is still, after a century, beloved by children and adults
worldwide. In this first Cottage Tale, Albert introduces
Beatrix, an Read more...
The Tale of Holly How
(The Cottage Tales of Beatrix Potter)
July 1, 2005
In the second Cottage Tales mystery, Miss Beatrix Potter
has won over human and animal hearts alike in her new home,
the sleepy village of Sawrey, England. Here,
everyone—of both Read more...
Dilly Of A Death
(A China Bayles Mystery)
April 1, 2005
China Bayles is in a pickle. The daughter of her best
friend, Ruby, has turned up on her doorstep, pregnant and in
need of a place to live. And her otherwise sensible Read more...
Dead Man's Bones
(A China Bayles Mystery)
April 1, 2005
Texas ex-lawyer and herbalist China Bayles digs into
murders past and present, as a dead man's bones are
uncovered—and a community gathering is interrupted by
murder...
China Bayles already has Read more...
Murder Most Crafty
April 1, 2005
15 All-new Stories of Criminal Handiwork and The Art of
Deduction
Handicrafts are fast becoming a favorite American pasttime.
Another, of course, is a good mystery. Combine the two and
you have this delightfully Read more...
Thyme of Death
(A China Bayles Mystery)
January 1, 2005
In her first mystery, China's friend Jo dies of an apparent
suicide. China searches behind the quaint facade of Pecan
Springs and takes a suspicious look at everyone. Though she
finds lots of Read more...
The Tale Of Hill Top Farm
July 1, 2004
The author of Peter Rabbit and other creature tales,
Beatrix Potter is still, after a century, beloved by
children and adults the world over. In this first Cottage
Tale, Albert Read more...
An Untimely Death and Other Garden Mysteries
June 3, 2003
Now readers can join China Bayles in ten puzzling cases-and
get a taste of her world. This delightful collection
features loads of wonderful herbal tidbits on everything
from rosemary to Read more...
A Dilly of a Death
January 6, 2003
China's otherwise sensible husband is bored with teaching
and ready for a career change...say hello to Mike McQuaid,
P.I. His first client is Phoebe the Pickle Queen, owner of
the Read more...
Indigo Dying
January 1, 2003
Times have been tough on Indigo, Texas. But now, as artists
flock to the countryside in growing numbers, Indigo is
experiencing a revival. In town to teach a workshop,
herbalist Read more...
Bloodroot
October 9, 2001
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