Boy, could I relate to the “dog days of summer” author Cheryl Hollon wrote about in the third book of the Webb’s Glass Shop Mystery series, Cracked to Death. As I type this review, I’m sitting comfortably in an air conditioned house, but outside in south eastern Wisconsin is is stiflingly hot and humid. Which means it’s been perfect for me to relax with a cozy mystery.
Glass shop owner Savannah Webb has opened a second workshop location of her business and, as a result, has turned over some of the teaching responsibilities to her employee, Amanda. As the week and the story begin, Amanda is set to teach an upcycling glass, demonstrating how to take glass bottles and make decorative dishes and trays. But after only one day of glass, one student is missing and later turns up dead – murdered. This time, Savannah isn’t a subject in the police investigation; rather she’s a consultant for the lead detective. As Savannah tries to piece together a shattered cobalt blue bottle found on the body of the victim, she reveals an even larger puzzle – exactly how is Amanda involved with the murder? For her part, Amanda is tight-lipped and reluctant to share what she knows and why Detective Parker is growing closer to issuing a warrant for her arrest.
As always, I enjoy the stories Cheryl Hollon tells. Cracked to Death felt a little drawn out to me, a little repetitive. Nevertheless, it’s a clever story with interesting characters and heartwarming relationships. One of the things I like most about series stories is getting to know a little more about each character with every book. It’s fun to see the relationships start and develop and deepen. In the hands of a talented storyteller, those characters begin to feel like good friends. Now, if only I could take a class at Webb’s!
Cracked to Death (A Webb’s Glass Shop Mystery)
Cozy Mystery
3rd in Series
Mass Market Paperback: 320 pages
Publisher: Kensington (June 28, 2016)
ISBN-13: 978-1617737640
Synopsis
When a treasure hunt leads to deadly plunder, it’s up to glass shop owner Savannah Webb and her trusty investigative posse to map out the true motives of a killer . . .
It’s the dog days of summer in St. Petersburg, Florida, and Webb’s Glass Shop proprietor Savannah Webb has an eco-friendly plan to help locals escape the heat–a recyclable bottle-crafting workshop taught by reticent store manager Amanda Blake. Turns out, the class is a bigger smash than expected, thanks in part to a pair of staggeringly old bottles brought in by snorkeler Martin Lane . . .
Linked to a storied pirate shipwreck, the relics definitely pique Savannah’s interest. But intrigue turns to shock when Martin’s lifeless body washes ashore the next morning, another glass artifact tucked in his dive bag. With cell phone records connecting Amanda to the drowning, Savannah must voyage through unchartered territory to exonerate her colleague and capture the twisted criminal behind Martin’s death . . .
About the Author
Cheryl Hollon now writes full-time after she left an engineering career of designing and building military flight simulators in amazing countries such as England, Wales, Australia, Singapore, Taiwan, and India. Fulfilling the dream of a lifetime, she combines her love of writing with a passion for creating glass art. In the small glass studio behind her house in St. Petersburg, Florida, Cheryl and her husband design, create, and produce fused glass, stained glass, and painted glass artworks. Visit her online at http://cherylhollon.com, on Facebook or on Twitter @CherylHollon.
Purchase Links:    Amazon B&N  IndieBound
Enter the Giveaway
Click on the image to the left and enter to win one of two print copies of Cracked to Death by Cheryl Hollon.
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Reblogged this on Hobby Reads.
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Thank you for the chance to win this in print looks and sounds so good! peggy clayton ptclayton2@aol.com
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