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Clay and Crime #1

A Murderous Glaze

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A new series takes shape-the debut of the Clay and Crime mysteries.

Includes directions for a pottery project!

In Maple Ridge, Vermont, Carolyn Emerson planned to ease into her golden years running her paint-your-own-pottery shop, Fire at Will. She never expected to uncover a dead body in the shop, and she certainly didn't plan on a drop in live clientele.

Now it's up to Carolyn and her shop's pottery club, The Firing Squad, to help clear her name. But can she find a killer and more customers without her own brush with death?

224 pages, Kindle Edition

First published November 6, 2007

13 people are currently reading
561 people want to read

About the author

Melissa Glazer

5 books16 followers
A pseudonym used by Tim Myers.

Series:
* Clay and Crime

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5 stars
74 (22%)
4 stars
71 (21%)
3 stars
101 (30%)
2 stars
63 (18%)
1 star
23 (6%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 55 reviews
Profile Image for Liisa.
712 reviews22 followers
May 6, 2008
Oohh I wanted to like this book. Truly, I did! I even persevered to the end. But only one word comes to mind as I think how best to describe it ~ painful.

"A Murderous Glaze: A Clay & Crime Mystery" by Melissa Glazer isn't the worst book I have read which somehow makes it worse. It was simply bland and just didn't quite work. I couldn't escape the feeling that something was missing.

On the outside, "A Murderous Glaze: A Clay & Crime Mystery" sounds like it could be a good read. Carolyn, an owner of a small Paint-Your-Own-Pottery studio, finds a dead body in her store and promptly becomes suspect numero uno. Needless to say she embarks on her own investigation with the help of her merry band of helpers, The Firing Squad.

Yet reading it is another story (to excuse the pun) altogether. My three biggest complaints are:

1. I didn't like Carolyn period. I found her to be more "Jessica Fletcher" (Angela Lansbury in Murder She Wrote but nowhere near as lovable) than a fiesty muder suspect come investigator. I found her to be blunt, predictable, boring, unrealistic .... I could go on but I feel like I'm just being mean now.

2. The Firing Squad made fleeting appearances and weren't explored or exploited nearly enough. There were some redeeming characters in this crew and it was a shame they didn't feature more prominently.

3. The unveiling of the murderer and his/her motives (hey I might not like the book but that doesn't mean I am going to let the cat out of the bag). I just felt there wasn't enough development or explanation.

Even now I wish that I had felt differently. That somehow it had "worked" and I had a new series to delve into. However all I can say is proceed with caution and hopefully you will find something more redeeming than I did.
Profile Image for Grey853.
1,555 reviews61 followers
June 6, 2010
This is an excellent example of what not to do in a cozy. Don't make your main character annoying, obnoxious, and not very bright. Don't write dull, repetitive narrative that is more about telling than showing. Don't make the secondary characters totally forgettable. Include a mystery that one might actually care about solving.
Profile Image for Connie N..
2,809 reviews
January 22, 2015
#1 in A Clay and Crime Mystery series. The main character in this book has to be one of the most obnoxious characters I've ever read. She is outspoken and bossy, and she's downright rude to everyone, including her husband. When she's suspected of murder since it happened in her shop, she's totally nasty to the sheriff, but she always seems to think he's the problem and she's justified in her anger. And whenever her husband tells her to be careful, she's outraged and tells him he can't tell her what to do. What's odd is that the people around her end up apologizing to her when she's rude, rather than the other way around. She's great at playing the victim and tramples on everyone in order to "find the truth," which really is just a bunch of gossip. Speaking of victims, we really don't have any chance at all to try to figure out the solution to the murder since we come into the story after she's been killed. So we know absolutely nothing about the victim, just that she's not well liked. I upgraded this book to a 1.5 star rating based on the fact that the setting (Vermont) and theme (a pottery shop) are a little bit different and provided some interesting bits of information. However, I will not continue with this series.
Profile Image for Natalie.
396 reviews14 followers
July 4, 2011
I read the 2nd book in this pottery shop themed cozy mystery first, so thought I'd better catch up and actually read the first one. Kinda wish I'd skipped it, the 2nd in the series is better. This one isn't horrible, there are just a few flaws that made it really boring for me. There is a lot repetition of the same things/same sentences. Like the main character keeps repeating herself over and over again or has the same thoughts many times about certain people (her husband and her employee David mainly). At the start of the book the murder has already occurred ad the main character here is already assumed to be the murderer. There is almost no backstory about the victim other than she was an unpleasant person. The author only really gives vague offhand descriptions of main characters physical traits. I really found myself not caring about anything that happened because of this. Like I said, the second one in the series, The Cracked Pot was better. Skip straight to that one if you are interested at all in this series. At least this was short.
Profile Image for Vanessa Mozayani.
495 reviews8 followers
June 3, 2019
A cozy mystery with the setting a pottery studio. One of the Firing Squad has been murdered in the pottery studio and owner, Carolyn is the prime suspect in her murder. She calls upon the Firing Squad to help clear her name. Charming story.
Profile Image for Kirsti.
2,501 reviews105 followers
April 27, 2016
I have been buying up on random cozy mystery for a few months now, and when I find them I place them in a large canvas bag and just pick whatever is on the top when I'm feeling this genre. It means I have plenty of mystery on hand whenever I want, and some of the mystery is in what I'm actually going to get!

This was a fun read, although I thought the big reveal could have had more clues dropped throughout the story. It wasn't the murderer I was expecting, sure, but then we weren't really built up to expect anyone really. It was probably the ending that dropped me down from four to three in the end, because a believable mystery needs a good ending.

The positives in this book are a good host of secondary characters, an art form I know little about (pottery) as well as all the usual aspect that make a mystery cozy, and not hardcore, I didn't really like the main character, because she was pushy and rude, but I would read more in this series to see if her character develops.

A good start to another mystery series, three stars.
Profile Image for Mkotch.
338 reviews4 followers
February 7, 2014
Glazer/Myers ought not to write about Vermont. It is distracting to read a book set in the state when the author so obviously hasn't been here.
Profile Image for Lizabeth Tucker.
946 reviews13 followers
July 9, 2023
After a dead body is found in Carolyn Emerson's "paint-your-own-pottery" shop, she's worried that the sheriff is eyeing her as a possible suspect due to their mutual animosity. The pottery club, the Firing Squad, decides to do a little investigating of their own.

I gave up about 25% of the way through this mess. The characters were so one-dimensional and the way the female characters were portrayed was horrendous! So I did a little digging. Well, okay, I pulled the book up on Goodreads. My suspicions about the author's gender was dead on. Glazer is just a pseudonym for a male author. Now don't get me wrong, I've read hundreds of books by male authors who do a wonderful job on writing women, even some romance ones. But there are certain male authors, and male scriptwriters, who do an absolutely horrible job at it.

I was looking for a cozy romance, something along the lines of Murder She Wrote perhaps, and picked this paperback up at my local Friends of the Library store. Thank heavens for that. At least I only wasted pennies on it. (It was from a ten paperbacks for a buck sale.) Anyway my hopes were horribly dashed. Ah well, live and learn.
Profile Image for Donna.
301 reviews
August 14, 2023
This is the first in the Clay and Crime series by Melissa Glazer. Carolyn Emerson owns her own shop Paint Your Own Pottery in Maple Ridge, Vermont called Fire At Will. Business is going great until Betty Wickline is found dead in her shop and the police make her the number one suspect because she did not get along with Betty. The biggest issue is that people have quit coming to her shop and that means no cash flow coming in. Carolyn decides she needs to find the killer herself before she loses her business. She calls in her Firing Squad (loyal customers) to help her investigate. It turns out several people did not like Betty so there is a long list of suspects. Will they be able to find the real killer? This is a great cozy mystery with great characters that you either love or hate. The mystery kept me guessing until the end even though I did have a couple of suspects. The author is a great writer and keeps the story flowing until the end. Looking forward to the next book in the series.
968 reviews4 followers
December 23, 2021
A pretty standard cozy mystery with a good plot and pottery as the cozy part, in addition to the obligatory small town. This one is really about a 3.5 for me, but I rounded up. I didn't like the protagonist at times - she seems unable not to be rude if she dislikes someone, even if that someone is the sheriff who thinks she murdered someone. And she dislike a fair number of people. She also hid evidence from the sheriff (which didn't even incriminate her, she just doesn't like the sheriff!), which I really didn't like. I wouldn't hunt down the sequel, but I wouldn't refuse to read it, either.
Profile Image for Tonya.
120 reviews1 follower
July 10, 2018
Carolyn Emerson, pottery guru who owns Fire at Will pottery shop, comes to work to discover Betty Wickline dead in her shop. Carolyn must solve the murder because everybody thinks she has done it.

I really liked this book. It was a cute cozy mystery. I can't wait to read the next one in the series.
Profile Image for Debbie.
505 reviews
December 6, 2018
Carolyn Emerson owns a pottery shop. One day she walks in and finds Betty Wickline dead in the shop. Now Carolyn is on the Sheriff's list of suspect. With the help of her friends they look at everyone they know to see who could have had it out for Betty. This kept me turning pages and guessing till the very end.
811 reviews5 followers
May 30, 2019
I really wanted to like this book, but I walked away feeling “meh”. Many of the supporting characters were intriguing and I would like to know more about them, but the main character was irritating to me and seemed too absent minded to have actually solved the crime. I think I’ll pass on the rest of the series.
Profile Image for Cathie Murphy.
853 reviews
July 16, 2025
Enjoyed reading this book. I liked most of the characters, even though the main character could be sort of stupid at times. The plot and storyline was good, but pulling it together at the end was weak. There was a lot of repetition. That could have been replaced with more food for thought. Recommend.
Profile Image for Sarah A.
2,281 reviews20 followers
November 8, 2018
A fine cozy mystery with an interesting writing style where the story starts after the body has been found. There were some good points but I found it a bit laborious to read in places so had to drop the stars.
Profile Image for Linda.
2,332 reviews59 followers
March 4, 2023
This was a nice start to the series. I liked that Carolyn was an older, married MC. I liked the pottery shop setting and it seems like it would be fun to go there. The mystery was good and I enjoyed it. There was even a clay craft at the end. #readforkimberly
Profile Image for Becky.
531 reviews1 follower
April 24, 2019
This cozy mystery is more no-nonsense than most. Plenty of quirky characters but not nearly as many little jokes.
Profile Image for SAFEAZ.
11 reviews
Read
July 1, 2024
I’m going to talk about the a murderous glaze . This books is definitely amazing.
399 reviews7 followers
December 24, 2016
I read the second book in the series back in October -- I'd bought it at the Salvation Army after dropping various things off over a year ago -- and liked it, so I requested the first in the series through interlibrary loan. It's always a bit odd for me to go backwards in a series and, as a result, it took me a bit longer than expected to finish this book. Nonetheless, I enjoyed it and am hoping to find the third (and last) in the series.

The odd thing is that, while searching the author for more books in the series, I discovered that she also wrote a book that I read either earlier this year or last and wasn't all that thrilled with. I wonder how much of that is the different setting -- Vermont is quite different from North Carolina -- or the very different occupation of the protagonist (potter vs. diner owner). Then again, when she wrote the Clay and Crime Mysteries she was writing about 2 books a year (under different names); when she wrote the book I read, she was writing about 10. Or, she had a bunch of things she'd written in the past that she could now get published and, as most folks involved in publishing know, those past unaccepted manuscripts were often not accepted and published for a reason. Nonetheless, I might go back and try her other series' again in the hopes that A Chili Death was just a bad fit for me.
Profile Image for Kasia.
404 reviews334 followers
October 6, 2011
I find it hilarious how any hobby or occupation can yield a mystery series but sometimes it adds a certain charm. I love arts and crafts, Vermont in the fall, or fall in general is my favorite season and this series embodies all my little favorite things into one. Murderous Glaze was a good effort for beginning of a new series, I have to admit it didn't take my breath away from the beginning, I had to warm up to it, but once I had proper time to sit down and read it I enjoyed it and couldn't wait to finish.

When a charming clay shop called Fire at Will becomes a murder crime scene of Betty Wickline, a woman no one seems to like in Maple Ridge - including the owner, everyone suddenly becomes a suspect. When time passes and clues start to surface Carolyn decides she has to take matters into her own hands of loose her credibility and her shop since everyone seems to think that maybe she did it herself. Personally I don't think someone would commit a crime in their own store but the friends and pesky sales people from nearby shops seemed to think otherwise. Carolyn launches on a crusade to save her business, make some great pots and fall decorations and find the dangerous lunatic who seems to ache for another victim. With the help of her husband, friends and Fire at Will students she tackles a dangerous task with small hope of victory or she will have to face a dark end of her career.

Fun and charming, the cozy atmosphere of chilly fall and various foods, snacks and coffee consumed along with small town gossip make for a relaxing read. I also enjoyed reading about various clay projects and learning a bit about the craft. The only problem I had was that there were a lot of guilty suspect and sometimes their names and characters would get mixed up in my head, but eventually it all got clarified as end came. I'm beginning book two tonight and hopefully the series gets even better.

- Kasia S.
Profile Image for The Mystery Reader.
447 reviews6 followers
August 8, 2025
"A Murderous Glaze" by Melissa Glazer is a charming and engaging start to the "Clay and Crime Mysteries" series. Carolyn Emerson, the owner of "Fire at Will," a vibrant paint-your-own-pottery studio in Maple Ridge, Vermont, is enjoying a peaceful afternoon when her world is turned upside down. A dead body is discovered within her shop, and to her horror, she becomes the prime suspect.

Determined to clear her name, Carolyn enlists the help of her "Firing Squad," a close-knit group of loyal customers and amateur potters. Together, they delve into the mystery, uncovering a web of secrets and hidden agendas within the seemingly idyllic town. As they piece together the clues, they encounter a cast of quirky characters, from eccentric artists to gossipy neighbors, each with their own motives and secrets.

Glazer masterfully blends the warmth and camaraderie of the "Firing Squad" with the intrigue of a captivating mystery. The setting, a charming Vermont town with a vibrant art scene, adds a touch of idyllic charm to the story. "A Murderous Glaze" is a delightful read for fans of cozy mysteries, and the inclusion of the pottery studio adds a unique and engaging element.

Rating: ★★★★☆

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Profile Image for Patricia.
453 reviews20 followers
September 28, 2008
Fire At Will is a very unique name for a paint-your-own-pottery shop and even better is The Firing Squad a group that meets to work on pottery at Fire At Will. Carolyn Emerson is the owner of Fire At Will. The local Sheriff, John Hodges, places her on the top of his list of suspects in the murder of Betty Wickline.

The body of Betty Wickline was found by Carolyn in the pottery shop and a ceramic tool was sticking out of her chest. The shop was supposed to be locked so it is a mystery how Betty was murdered inside the shop.

Maple Ridge, Vermont is a nice little town with a lot of quaint shops. Carolyn has done a good business and even has an employee, David, to help her out but as soon as word gets out about Betty’s murder Carolyn’s business takes a dive. Carolyn’s husband Bill assures her that Sheriff Hodges will find the murderer and things will get back to normal but Carolyn is not buying her husband’s reassurances.

Carolyn enlists all of the members of The Firing Squad to come to her aid in locating the murderer. The investigation proves to be interesting as well as dangerous.

This is the first book in a clay and crime series. A Murderous Glaze introduces some interesting characters and I look forward to the next book.
Profile Image for Diane Morasco.
Author 10 books16 followers
April 10, 2011
A Murderous Glaze was a charming & entertaining read. The cozy atmosphere was spot on.

Melissa Glazer did a wonderful job describing autumn in Maple Ridge, Vermont; I felt the sigh of the crisp fall air on my cheek. I reached for my fleece throw while reading this enjoyable mystery.

I envisioned the golden fall trees w/ a touch of white caps on the Vermont mountains. I wanted to hike down to Fire At Will & ask Carolyn to give me a private session.

Trust me, I need a one-on-one class when I attempt to mash make a clay project @ Fire At Will. I mean, I want to hang out w/ the Firing Squad & have all the delicious treats & yummy beverages the Firing Squad brings to their sessions... I don't want to be banned from all the fun.
Profile Image for Amy .
324 reviews107 followers
July 13, 2009
I tried so hard to like this book... But I just could not.. Giving it a 2 star rating actually seems a bit generous to me!

There were too many characters floating around with not much purpose that I could see.. The relationships between the characters seemed forced and not very life-like at all. The jokes were on the lame side, the writing style seemed inconsistent to me, and even the conclusion seemed to be very rushed. I just could not enjoy this book as much as I would have liked.. And I hate saying things like this about any book, but I really couldn't find a single reason to want to read more of this series at all.
534 reviews
November 17, 2011
This was a fast and fun read. Carolyn runs a small pottery store where she both sells finished pottery and teaches others how to throw pots, glaze them and paint them.

When a woman that she wasn't particularly fond of is found dead in her store she soon finds her business falling into the basement. With a police chief who thinks she is the only viable killer, Carolyn rallies her friends around her and sets out to find the real killer.

Lots of interesting pottery tips and hints and a mystery with enough potential murderers to keep me guessing. I'll be reading the next in the series.
Profile Image for Linda C.
2,503 reviews4 followers
July 23, 2016
Carolyn Emerson runs a paint-your-own pottery studio named Fire at Will in Maple Ridge, VT. One morning in April when she goes to open she discovers the body of Betty Wickline. Betty was not her favorite person, but not someone she would kill, although the local sheriff is willing to believe that she did. Since she believes he is not seriously trying to look for the murderer she and her crew of volunteer assistants, called the Firing Squad, attempt to do it themselves. This was an OK first volume of a series but not one that grabbed me. I will probably not pursue this series.
Profile Image for Betty.
2,004 reviews74 followers
July 29, 2014
A very good cozy mystery. The writing is descriptive with both characters and location. Caroline Emerson find the body of Betty Wickline in her shop. Betty was killed with an ask that has Caroline's fingerprints. Sheriff Hedges has Caroline at the top of his list. He does not like Caroline much and might not do a lot of investigating. Caroline sets out with the help of Firing Crew to find the murder. Her husband Bill does't want her to investigate and her best friend, Hannah does't like the fact that her son David is working at the shop.
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