Cathy C. (cathyskye) -
With glass-making, antique glass, and pirate treasure, Cracked to Death looked to be right up my alley. There was enough information about glass-- and upcycling-- to keep my interest, and Savannah's recently expanded shop meant that I kept an eye peeled on her business acumen. It was also refreshing to see that Savannah has a good rapport with local police. One thing that's been done to death in cozy mysteries is the dumb, obstructive police officer in charge of an investigation.
The author has also created some interesting characters, and I don't just mean Savannah Webb. There's the British heartthrob Edward Morris, Rooney the Weimaraner, and-- most importantly to me-- Jacob Underwood, a young man with Asperger's who's become a stained glass restoration expert.
However, I chose the wrong series to start off with book number three. In her role as Suspect #1, store manager Amanda Blake's behavior just turned me completely off. To the tune that I didn't care if her innocence was proven or not. Pretty harsh, I know. But if I'd gotten to know Amanda pre- lies, evasions, suspicious actions, and emotional crackups, I undoubtedly would have had some badly needed empathy for her.
If you're not new to the series, then you should be very happy-- especially since you already know Amanda. If you're new to the series, like I was, I would suggest that you may want to start with the first book in the series so you can avoid any possible adverse reactions to Savannah's store manager. There is a lot to like about Cracked to Death.
The author has also created some interesting characters, and I don't just mean Savannah Webb. There's the British heartthrob Edward Morris, Rooney the Weimaraner, and-- most importantly to me-- Jacob Underwood, a young man with Asperger's who's become a stained glass restoration expert.
However, I chose the wrong series to start off with book number three. In her role as Suspect #1, store manager Amanda Blake's behavior just turned me completely off. To the tune that I didn't care if her innocence was proven or not. Pretty harsh, I know. But if I'd gotten to know Amanda pre- lies, evasions, suspicious actions, and emotional crackups, I undoubtedly would have had some badly needed empathy for her.
If you're not new to the series, then you should be very happy-- especially since you already know Amanda. If you're new to the series, like I was, I would suggest that you may want to start with the first book in the series so you can avoid any possible adverse reactions to Savannah's store manager. There is a lot to like about Cracked to Death.
Bonnie A. (ladycholla) -
I enjoyed this very much. The development of some of the characters is always a good sign. Hope she continues with the good work. Look forward to more of the same.
Cracked to Death by Cheryl Hollon is the third book in the third book in A Webb's Glass Shop Mystery series. Savannah Webb lives in St Petersburg, Florida and owns Webb's Glass Shop. Savannah is starting a new venture and is calling it Webb's Studio. Savannah is offering studio space and equipment to glass artists. While Savannah will be at the studio, Amanda Blake will be watching the shop and teaching a class. Amanda is the office manager and will be teaching her first class (all on her own). The class is on upcycling. Taking glass bottles and turning them into usable items (like cheese trays, spoon rests, and clocks). Amanda is a little nervous about teaching her first class and asks Savannah to hang around a little while. The students were all asked to bring in bottles. One student, Martin Lane brought in some beautiful, old bottles. He would like Savannah to evaluate the bottles. Martin is an artist who uses salvaged materials for art pieces. Martin claims to have found the bottles on the Intracoastal Waterway near Treasure Island (while diving). Savannah agrees to look into the bottles for Martin. The bottles look very old and there are rumors that Gaspar the Pirate had buried his treasure in the area (hence the name Treasure Island). Before Savannah can look into the bottles, Martin is found dead on the beach. He has a dive bag with him with another bottle inside. David Parker, a homicide detective with the St. Petersburg Police Department, hires Savannah (a first) as a consult. Savannah gathers her group (Amanda, Jacob, Edward) together to look into Martin's death and the bottles. Are the bottles related to Martin's demise? Do the bottles have anything to do with pirate treasure? Join Savannah and her friends on another escapade in Cracked to Death.
Cracked to Death was an entertaining book to read. This may be the third book in the series, but it can be read alone (the writer does a good job of bringing the reader up to date). Cracked to Death is well-written, easy to read, and has a good pace. There is a romance going on (between Savannah and Edward), but it does not dominate the novel (I like how the romance is progressing). I appreciated the mystery and how it incorporated the antique bottles and their history. It is easy to figure out the killer, but it did not bother me because I was delighted by the overall mystery. It was interesting how Ms. Hollon incorporated Gaspar the Pirate (which leads to Gasparilla, a local festival). I give Cracked to Death 4.5 out of 5 stars. There is a good reference to Haslam's in the novel. It is a local bookstore that has thousands of books. You can spend many pleasurable hours wandering through Haslam's. One thing I thought was really not needed in the book was Arthur's (a man who purchased studio space at Webb's Studio) bathroom issues. One mention I could let slide, but a couple of times is too much (and I really did not need the details). I will definitely be reading the next book in A Webb's Glass Shop Mystery.
I received a complimentary copy of Cracked to Death in exchange for an honest evaluation of the book.
Cracked to Death was an entertaining book to read. This may be the third book in the series, but it can be read alone (the writer does a good job of bringing the reader up to date). Cracked to Death is well-written, easy to read, and has a good pace. There is a romance going on (between Savannah and Edward), but it does not dominate the novel (I like how the romance is progressing). I appreciated the mystery and how it incorporated the antique bottles and their history. It is easy to figure out the killer, but it did not bother me because I was delighted by the overall mystery. It was interesting how Ms. Hollon incorporated Gaspar the Pirate (which leads to Gasparilla, a local festival). I give Cracked to Death 4.5 out of 5 stars. There is a good reference to Haslam's in the novel. It is a local bookstore that has thousands of books. You can spend many pleasurable hours wandering through Haslam's. One thing I thought was really not needed in the book was Arthur's (a man who purchased studio space at Webb's Studio) bathroom issues. One mention I could let slide, but a couple of times is too much (and I really did not need the details). I will definitely be reading the next book in A Webb's Glass Shop Mystery.
I received a complimentary copy of Cracked to Death in exchange for an honest evaluation of the book.
