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17 of 17 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Definitely Not Your Grandma's Cozy!, March 18, 2008
This review is from: Through a Glass, Deadly (Glassblowing Mysteries, No. 1) (Mass Market Paperback)
First of all, I LOVE the title - the play on I Corinthians 13:12 "for now we see through a glass, darkly..." - for it is a harbinger of things to come, both in this particular storyline and no doubt in the series as well. While Sarah Atwell's Glassblowing Mystery might at first blush appear to be a typical arts and crafts cozy, it is definitely NOT your typical cozy. This story is a bit more dark and a whole lot more suspenseful than most. Emmeline Dowell is living an artist's dream in Tucson - she owns a fabulous old building in the Warehouse District, with a shop and studio below and her living space above. She need only walk down a flight of stairs to slip into her studio and lose herself in her art each day. Ms. Atwell does a great job of incorporating the art of glassblowing into her novel, and yet not so much so that someone who isn't interested in it at all should skip it. There is plenty here to hold the attention of any mystery lover. Emmeline is a strong yet soft-hearted woman who often uses her art and her position as a business owner to help others. She decides to reach out to a young Irish woman, Allison McBride, who is short on cash but interested in learning the art of glassblowing. Emmeline's involvement is rewarded with a dead man in her studio and even more trouble than this reader sees coming. We also meet Chief Matthew Lundgren, of the Tucson PD, who is a top-notch cop from Em's past. At this point, this cozy morphs a bit into a police procedural, with plenty of cops, bad guys, murder, and mayhem, with the FBI tossed in for good measure. After a LOT of suspense and much maneuvering by the main characters, the story once again takes on a more lighthearted tone and things get wrapped up rather neatly, with just enough loose ends to keep the reader waiting for the next installment. I thoroughly enjoyed the history of glassmaking that was included at the end of the novel, but the recipes just didn't belong. I love finding recipes in culinary cozies, but their inclusion here feels awkward and out of place. All in all, this is an enjoyable, exciting read, but it's not your grandma's cozy! It is definitely more dark and has a lot more meat than the typical cozy. I'll be looking forward to book #2 in the Glassblowing Mystery series!
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8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Crafty reading --, April 5, 2008
This review is from: Through a Glass, Deadly (Glassblowing Mysteries, No. 1) (Mass Market Paperback)
Time was, one read a mystery for the fun of trying to figure out whodunnit, or whytheydunnit. In the last few years, however, one can also learn about any number of useful and interesting things, all the while enjoying a cozy read. You can learn about (even if not necessarily how to do it) knitting, weaving, making candles or soap, scrapbooking or making greeting cards, running a bookshop or a bed and breakfast. Not to mention catering or running a coffee/tea shop, complete with recipes. That latter is probably my only complaint about this book--and it's a minor grumble. The recipes didn't really add anything, and they're not at all out of the ordinary, either. but -- I would still recommend the book. Glass-blowing is an old art, and not one to be found on every street-corner. I was fascinated by all the tips and elements of the art cleverly strewn throughout the book. Each chapter begins with a definition--some of which I did know and some I'd never heard of. I enjoyed them all. Emmeline Dowell runs a glass-blowing studio and gallery in Tucson, Arizona. She gives classes to those who would like to learn more about the process, and sells her own work, too. She's a feisty, hard-headed forty-something, single woman of the kind that can be tiresome, but the author keeps her from falling into that category. She's a warm and friendly person, which can sometimes get one into trouble, and sure enough, Em's in all kinds of hot water almost immediately. The supporting characters are wonderful, and the travelogue about Tucson, carefully interwoven with the narrative, makes it sound like the marvelous place it no doubt is. The mystery is handled honestly. All sorts of clues abound, but one rushes right by most of them, until the `ahah!' moment arrives, and all is made clear. (Inadvertent pun. Sorry.) Through a Glass Deadly is an impressive debut, and I'll happily anticipate the next installment.
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4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A glittering debut, April 24, 2008
This review is from: Through a Glass, Deadly (Glassblowing Mysteries, No. 1) (Mass Market Paperback)
This was a superb mystery, sharply written and populated with delightful characters. I've always loved glass, and Sarah Atwell really brought the world of glassblowing to life for me. The main character, a glassblower who owns a shop in Tucson, is fun and feisty...and doesn't hesitate to speak her mind! I am definitely looking forward to the next one in this series.
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