What do You think about Hangman's Root (1995)?
This is one of the earlier China Bayle mysteries. It's the third in the series. An unpopular but well connected professor and researcher at the local university is found hung in his office. At first glance it appears to be suicide. However, investigation shows that it was actually murder made to look like suicide. He has been at odds with another science professor who believes that his research project is a sham. They are also neighbors. She takes care of stray cats while he threatens to kill an older, diabetic cat that is her special pet after she wanders into his yard. At the same time China's relationship with McQuaid is changing. He wants them to move in together since his lease his up and she needs more space in her shop. She is hesitant to take the next step. This is the book where Amy, Ruby's daughter whom she gave up for adoption, is introduced. These are relaxing books with enough twists and turns to keep me occupied for the short time that it took to read. This is a series I follow although the author has been pursuing other writing interests.
—Larraine
Third in the China Bayles series, this was a good mystery featuring several suspects and keeping the reader guessing until the end. An animal researcher is hanged on the college campus where McQuaid teaches. China becomes involved in the investigation because her friend who takes in homeless cats is accused of killing the man who mistreats animals. She finds the cat lady an attorney and assists in trying to clear her name. Ruby also becomes involved; and the daughter she gave up for adoption years ago, Amy, is introduced in the series as an activist protesting cruelty to animals. This is also the first appearance of "Smart Cookie," Sheila Dawson, head of campus security. An interesting part of the story involved China and McQuaid deciding to move in together and looking for a house that would meet their needs. I enjoyed the book and look forward to the next one. This is my second time to read this series.
—Ellen Moore
Nice story. Enjoyed reading it.Now for the research quibble. Guinea pigs play a small part in the plot, as rapidly multiplying lab animals. My siblings and I bred and raised guinea pigs when I was a teenager, so I know guinea pigs. Quite well. They might be rodents, like rats and rabbits, but they do not breed like rabbits. When a guinea pig is pregnant, it's obvious. Like a pregnant human is obvious. Much more so than even cats or dogs. The female waddles around with these enormous bulges on either side. So babies aren't going to be a surprise. Also they almost never have more than 2 babies at a time, and the babies can run around at birth, more like a calf or foal than a rabbit or even a kitten. Because the babies are so advanced at birth, gestation takes 2 months, not a few weeks. Hm, now that I think about it, guinea pigs only have two teats, so they certainly couldn't feed more than 2 babies. They definitely do not have litters of 10 or 12.Yeah, it's a minor, silly point, but it kinda takes away from the joke when you know what the writer's joking about is an impossibility. It's why guinea pigs are not usually used as lab animals. Because they just don't breed fast enough. When they are used, it's because, like humans, they don't produce their own vitamin C, they have to get it in their diet. You have to feed them a guinea pig specific diet. So if you made it this far, you now know more about guinea pigs than you ever wanted.
—Gail
