"Witty, smart writing in this amateur sleuth tale."

China Bayles is preparing for the Pecan Springs, Texas, annual Picklefest to celebrate the pickle history of this little town. But there's a lot going on in her life and pickles are coming far down on the list. Her best friend's daughter, Ruby, shows up, pregnant and needing a place to stay. Her husband, Mike, announces a career change and opens a private investigation business.

And then Phoebe Morgan, the Pickle Queen and owner of the area's largest industry, a pickle plant, disappears. She was Mike's first client (he was checking out a possible embezzling problem at the plant) and is desperately needed to plan the Picklefest. Things really get intense when bodies start appearing and it looks as if the father of Ruby's baby is somehow involved.

Albert is a witty and smart writer. China is a great character, very likable with a lot of depth. I liked this book - although I did figure out whodunit relatively early on.

Reviewed by Morgan Chilson
Courtesy Old Book Barn Gazette
Posted December 26, 2003

Summary

China's otherwise sensible husband is bored with teaching and ready for a career change...say hello to Mike McQuaid, P.I. His first client is Phoebe the Pickle Queen, owner of the biggest little pickle business in Texas. She says her plant manager is embezzling, and she wants McQuaid to follow the money. But just days before the annual Picklefest, Phoebe disappears. And now it's up to McQuaid and China to search for her-and for clues in a case that promises to leave a very sour taste.