Framing the Dialogue

“Spanish dagger is one of the many folk names for that striking, statuesque plant, Yucca glauca…Spanish dagger can be seen along roadsides, in pastures and meadows, and across the arid plains.  A plant of great and varied utility in many native cultures, it has supplied food, drink, medicine, clothing, footwear, and even construction materials.”

Spanish Dagger is also another in the bestselling series of China Bayles mysteries.  I have enjoyed these novels throughout the years as China Bayles and her friends solve murders.  They are  light, relaxing reads.  Author Susan Wittig Albert avoids graphic descriptions of violence so if you are the least be squeamish this is a novel for you. 

Spanish dagger centers around the murder of two citizens Pecan Springs, the fictitious town that is the setting for the novel.  The begining quote about the Spanish dagger plant is from the book as Albert always uses a plant as the basis of her novels.  She provides interesting information about plants and includes some recipes for your consideration.  She included one for grilled salmon that I plan on trying next weekend.

While Spanish dagger stands alone as a novel, there is a recurrant theme that runs through this series.  While the murderer(s) are caught, everything is not resolved.  As always, I am looking forward to Albert’s next book.  It is actually on my bookshelf.