China Bayles Collections books in order

Q: "How many books are in the China Bayles Collections series?"

"There are 23 books in the China Bayles Collections series, published between 1992 and 2024."

Q: "What is the first book in the China Bayles Collections series?"

"The first book in the China Bayles Collections series is Thyme of death, published in 1992."

Q: "How do the China Bayles Collections relate to the main series?"

"The collections gather shorter works that complement the full-length novels. They include novellas, short stories, and bundled editions that expand on characters and storylines from the main China Bayles series, giving readers more time in Pecan Springs without requiring a full novel commitment."

Reading order

#	Title	Published	Author	Buy on Amazon
1	Thyme of death	1992	Susan Wittig Albert	N/A
2	An Unthymely Death and Other Garden Mysteries	2003	Susan Wittig Albert	Buy
3	Witches’ Bane	1993	Susan Wittig Albert	N/A
4	China Bayles’ Book of Days	2006	Susan Wittig Albert	Buy
5	Rueful Death	1996	Susan Wittig Albert	N/A
6	Love lies bleeding	1997	Susan Wittig Albert	N/A
7	Lavender Lies	1999	Susan Wittig Albert	N/A
8	Bloodroot	2001	Susan Wittig Albert	N/A
9	Dilly of a Death	2004	Susan Wittig Albert	N/A
10	Dead man’s bones	2005	Susan Wittig Albert	N/A
11	Bleeding Hearts	2006	Susan Wittig Albert	N/A
12	Spanish Dagger	2007	Susan Wittig Albert	N/A
13	Nightshade	2008	Susan Wittig Albert	N/A
14	Holly Blues	2010	Susan Wittig Albert	N/A
15	Mourning Gloria	2011	Susan Wittig Albert	N/A
16	Cat’s Claw	2012	Susan Wittig Albert	N/A
17	Widow’s Tears	2013	Susan Wittig Albert	N/A
18	Blood Orange	2016	Susan Wittig Albert	N/A
19	The Last Chance Olive Ranch	2017	Susan Wittig Albert	N/A
20	Queen Anne’s Lace	2018	Susan Wittig Albert	N/A
21	A Plain Vanilla Murder	2019	Susan Wittig Albert	N/A
22	Hemlock	2021	Susan Wittig Albert	N/A
23	Forget Me Never	2024	Susan Wittig Albert	N/A

The China Bayles Collections compile shorter fiction and bundled editions from Susan Wittig Albert’s popular herbal mystery series. While the main series consists of 29 full-length novels, these collections bring together novellas, short stories, and omnibus volumes that let readers spend more time with China, Ruby Wilcox, and the rest of the Pecan Springs cast.

Many of these collected works fill in gaps between the main novels or explore side characters in more depth. Some focus on Ruby Wilcox and her psychic experiences, while others offer seasonal stories tied to holidays or particular herbs. For readers already invested in the series, the collections provide additional context and new angles on familiar characters. For newcomers, they can serve as a low-commitment way to sample Albert’s writing and the Pecan Springs setting before diving into the full-length mysteries.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many books are in the China Bayles Collections series?

There are 23 books in the China Bayles Collections series, published between 1992 and 2024.

What is the first book in the China Bayles Collections series?

The first book in the China Bayles Collections series is Thyme of death, published in 1992.

How do the China Bayles Collections relate to the main series?

The collections gather shorter works that complement the full-length novels. They include novellas, short stories, and bundled editions that expand on characters and storylines from the main China Bayles series, giving readers more time in Pecan Springs without requiring a full novel commitment.

Reading order#

Frequently Asked Questions

Reading order