A PLAIN VANILLA MURDER China Bayles, Book 27

Narrator Julia Gibson introduces listeners to the sordid world of orchid laundering in this mystery involving the murder of a professor who specializes in the vanilla orchid. As police chief Sheila Dawson investigates the crime, listeners learn much about the growing, processing, and use of vanilla, mostly through the eyes of China Bayles, a former criminal lawyer and now the owner of the Thyme and Seasons herb shop. Taking listeners to small-town Texas, Gibson uses a gentle Southern drawl for the Texans and a more neutral accent for other characters, including the story's narrator. Overall, Gibson's narration adds to the authenticity of this audiobook and makes listeners feel a connection to its characters. V.M.G. © AudioFile 2019, Portland, Maine [Published: SEPTEMBER 2019]