Series: Webb's Glass Shop Mystery, #3
Publisher: Kensington
Published: June 28, 2016
Genre: Cozy Mystery
Length: 320 pages

I read the first book in this series, Pane and Suffering, because it was a cozy mystery set not too far from me, in my home state of Florida. I have kept reading the series, because the author does not only a fantastic job of capturing the uniqueness that is St. Petersburg and the entire Suncoast area, but also telling an first rate story.

Our story revolves around Savannah Webb, glass artist and owner of Webb's Glass Shop.  Occasionally, we see things from Homicide detective David Parker's viewpoint, but that is usually when explanations need to happen that Savannah wouldn't have access to. It's a great way of keeping us, the reader, informed and up to date, as well as seeing how things are progressing from the official law enforcement view.

The romance that I had predicted in book one, is really coming alive between Savannah and her work neighbor Edward.  More of the neighborhood is explored, especially as Savannah has opened up a new venture, Webb's Studio, nearby to cater to artists needing space to create. As the characters move around the town and surrounding area, the descriptions are so distinctive, that I could almost smell the salt in the air.

If you are like me, and enjoy reading cozy mysteries in part for the slice of small town life they typically explore or for the many wonderful hobbies and crafts that are described, this would be a great series to explore. This was another wonderful addition to a series that has been top notch and I gave it 4 stars.

Kensington and Netgalley provided me with this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

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...

    

Shards of Murder

Webb's Glass Shop Mystery, #2

Cheryl Hollen

Genre: Cozy Mystery
Publisher: Kensington
Date of Publication: February 23, 2016
Number of pages: 304

When a glass-making competition turns deadly, glass shop owner Savannah Webb must search for a window into a criminal's mind…

As the new proprietor of Webb's Glass Shop, Savannah has been appointed to fill her late father's shoes as a judge for the Spinnaker Arts Festival, held in downtown St. Petersburg, Florida. With her innovative glass works, the clear winner is Megan Loyola, a student of Savannah's former mentor.

But when Megan doesn't show up to accept her $25,000 award, rumors start flying. And when Savannah discovers the woman's dead body on festival grounds, the police immediately suspect her of murder. To keep from appearing before a judge herself, Savannah sorts through the broken pieces of glass scattered around the victim for clues as to who took this killer competition too far…

Review: 
It's not often that Florida has a story set outside of either Miami or Orlando. That this one is set in St. Petersburg, known locally as St. Pete, makes it unique. St. Pete is an eclectic little spot, with so many different cultures having helped to build and develop the area. As a Florida native, who lives just 2 hours away, it was a real pleasure to read someone doing the city justice and getting it right. Sometimes a city is described so accurately, that it's rhythms and vibe can be likened to another character in a book. The author manages this nicely for St. Petersburg.

I was a little concerned after reading the first book, Pane and Suffering, that the author wouldn't be able to meet the high standards she set in the first book. I am pleased to announce that she did an excellent job of not only meeting them, but exceeding them. Savannah and her posse are really coming together as quite the enterprising group. Though the story is told mainly through Savannah, the story has an ensemble feel. They utilized their individual strengths to work together to solve the murder quickly, much to Detective Parker's annoyance.

If you want to read a cozy mystery that's more than just a niche book, this series would be a perfect fit. It's so much more than just about glass making, though that does play a large part. I had a hard time putting this book down, and gave it 4 stars.

Thanks to Netgalley, Kensington and Great Escapes for the opportunity to read and review this book.

Giveaway: 

Author Bio:

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.

To connect with the author online:

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads

Pane and Suffering

Webb's Glass Shop Mystery, #1

Cheryl Hollon

Genre: Cozy Mystery
Publisher: Kensington
Date of Publication: September 29, 2015
Number of pages: 320

To solve her father's murder and save the family-owned glass shop, Savannah Webb must shatter a killer's carefully constructed façade...

After Savannah's father dies unexpectedly of a heart attack, she drops everything to return home to St. Petersburg, Florida, to settle his affairs--including the fate of the beloved, family-owned glass shop. Savannah intends to hand over ownership to her father's trusted assistant and fellow glass expert, Hugh Trevor, but soon discovers the master craftsman also dead of an apparent heart attack.

As if the coincidence of the two deaths wasn't suspicious enough, Savannah discovers a note her father left for her in his shop, warning her that she is in danger. With the local police unconvinced, it's up to Savannah to piece together the encoded clues left behind by her father. And when her father's apprentice is accused of the murders, Savannah is more desperate than ever to crack the case before the killer seizes a window of opportunity to cut her out of the picture. . .

Review: 

I always stop and take a look at books set in my home state of Florida, especially ones set outside of Miami.  This one is set in St. Petersburg, a city a mere 2 hour drive from my home; a city that I am familiar with. Of course, I had to take a closer look.  I am so glad that I did.

Savannah has come home after her father died of a heart attack.  While she found it surprising that a man who trained for marathons and had no health complaints the last time they had spoken, she was in shock and just accepted this pronouncement. After all, she was just 2 weeks away from her debut showing in Seattle and had to deal with the sale of the family business, as well as settling her father's estate. Then her father's assistant and the man she was planning on selling the business to died of a heart attack as well. Two hearts in as many weeks? Savannah is her father's daughter, and she doesn't trust that much coincidence. Then she finds the message from her father telling her that if he is dead she's in danger as well. But does it have to do with the glass shop of his work as a cryptologist during World War II? Savannah has to find and follow the clues that he has left for her before the police arrest an innocent young man.

There was a lot to take in during this first book by a new author besides glass making. Everything from Asperger's to geocaching to pet therapy dogs to craft beers. Throw in a set up for a possible romance later down the line, as well as some slightly questionable police procedures and it felt like the author might have set the bar a bit high when it comes time for the second novel. It will be interesting to see if she can pull it off.  I enjoyed seeing my local Florida set in a favorable light and gave this book 4 stars.

Thanks to Netgalley, Kensington and Great Escapes for the opportunity to read and review this book.

Giveaway: 

Author Bio:

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.

To connect with the author online:

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads