The Last Chance Olive Ranch {+ Giveaway}

◊ The Last Chance Olive Ranch by Susan Wittig Albert

◊ Series: China Bayles Mystery, Book 25

◊ Hardcover: 304 pages

◊ Genre: Mystery, Thriller, Suspense

◊ Publisher: Berkley (April 4, 2017)

◊ Language: English

◊ ISBN-10: 0425280039

◊ ISBN-13: 978-0425280034

SYNOPSIS:

In this exciting new 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...

It’s hard to believe this is the 25th installment in the China Bayles Mystery series by Susan Wittig Albert. The author keeps the stories fresh and engaging. She continues to let her characters grow and develop from story to story.

New readers to the series won’t be in the dark when it comes to the characters and their relationship even though they have missed the characters growing and flourishing over time. Returning fans will delight in following the characters as they head out on new adventures.

The story moves at a good pace with adrenaline-fueled moments spread through. The author focuses on two plots that takes readers on separate journeys while intermingling them from time to time. While this story doesn’t focus just on China, it shows how police work impacts the entire family.

The author features the usual comfortable small-town atmosphere while blending in bits of suspense and intrigue for a tantalizing thriller. The twists and turns will keep you guessing. In addition to entertaining readers with an enticing mystery, the author includes tasty recipes and informative tidbits on olives.

THE LAST CHANCE OLIVE RANCH is a captivating story you don’t want to miss.

The Last Chance Olive Ranch by Susan Wittig Albert, China Bayles Mystery (Book #25), Berkley, @2017, ISBN: 978-0425280034, Hardcover, 304 Pages

FTC Full Disclosure – A copy of this book was sent to me by the publisher. However, receiving the complimentary copy did not influence my review. The thoughts are completely my own and given honestly and freely.

Thanks to the wonderful folks at Penguin Random House, I have a print copy of THE LAST CHANCE OLIVE RANCH by Susan Wittig Albert to giveaway. The giveaway is open to residents of the U.S. only and will end at 12 a.m. (EST) on Sunday, April 16.

To enter the giveaway, just click on the Rafflecopter widget below and follow the instructions. The widget may take a few seconds to load so please be patient. A winner will be selected by the Rafflecopter widget and I’ll send an email with the subject line “Thoughts in Progress Giveaway.” The winner will have 72 hours to reply to the email or another winner will be selected. PLEASE be sure to check your spam folder from time to time after the giveaway ends to make sure the notification email doesn’t end up there. If you win and you’ve already won the book somewhere else or you just decided for whatever reason you don’t want to win (which is fine), once again PLEASE let me know.

Thanks so much for stopping by. Do you like stories that several plots going on at once and then brings them together at the end?

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