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A Webb's Glass Shop Mystery #6
Down in Flames
A fatal hit-and-run in front of Savannah Webb's glass shop proves to be no accident . . . A highlight of Savannah's new glass bead workshop is a technique called flame-working, which requires the careful wielding of acetylene torches. Understandably, safety is a top priority. But as Savannah is ensuring her students' safety inside, a hit-and-run driver strikes down a pedestrian outside her shop. The victim is Nicole Borawski, the bartender/manager at the Queen's Head Pub, owned by Savannah's boyfriend Edward. It quickly becomes clear that this was no random act of vehicular manslaughter. Now the glass shop owner is all fired up to get a bead on the driver-before someone else meets a dead end . . .
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Published June 25, 2019
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About the author
Cheryl Hollon
11 books536 followersCheryl Hollon 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 their St. Petersburg, FL, 1920's craftsman bungalow, Cheryl and her husband design, create, and produce fused glass, stained glass and painted glass artworks.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 92 reviews
June 4, 2019
I would like to thank NetGalley and Kensington Books for providing me with an Advanced Read Copy of DOWN IN FLAMES by Cheryl Hollon. This is the sixth book in the series, and the mystery is completely self-contained within the book. There are recurring characters and the reader might feel a bit as if they are missing some connections if they haven’t read the earlier books in the series. This was my first read, and my expectation is I would have enjoyed the book more if I had begun the series with the first book so I was acquainted with all the secondary characters in the book. The author does provide the reader with enough information to understand how the characters relate to one another.
I was interested in reading this book because it was placed in St. Petersburg and I was hoping for a bit more local color than was written. There were some references to the fact that St. Petersburg has become more of a diverse community, drawing artists and young people into the city, and I would have liked to read even more. The use of graffiti and other building art to enliven downtown St. Petersburg was touched on in the book, however there was limited opportunity for the reader to “see” the results of this trend.
There were multiple themes to this book in addition to the murder mystery. This included the prejudice and stigma some people in the LBGTQ community experience, both from family and from officials encountered within institutions; the difficulties a teenager who is classified as a high functioning autistic individual might encounter; and the stresses a family member might encounter when a loved one is in hospice care to name the primary ones. These served to add some texture to the novel, but on occasion veered into the arena of trying to impart information rather than character or world building.
The writing came across as a bit stilted, which left me feeling as if I was having the story told to me rather than having an opportunity to see what was happening. The information was interesting, and I would have welcomed the opportunity to encounter it on more of an emotional level than I experienced.
In this novel, Samantha owns a stained glass studio and is teaching a class on creating glass beads when a friend is run down in front of her shop by a hit and run driver. As the story progresses, it becomes apparent that what was initially thought of as a tragic accident was actually murder. As Samantha investigates, she learns a resident at the nearby halfway house saw the incident and confirms it was a deliberate act. She then learns of a connection between her friend and an artist in the graffiti community who is suspected of having painted a forgery. These are bits of information are enough to persuade the police to hire Samantha as an expert with a connection to the arts community to provide investigative assistance.
Solutions for the mystery and other storylines seemed to wrap up a bit swiftly in nice, neat little packages. In at least one case, I was unaware there was a storyline until presented with the resolution. I was not surprised at the identity of the murderer, although there were few actual clues that would lead to the correct solution for the reader who likes to solve the puzzle. Overall, it seems the book has a good premise and potential, but the execution lacked as much depth as I would have liked.
I was interested in reading this book because it was placed in St. Petersburg and I was hoping for a bit more local color than was written. There were some references to the fact that St. Petersburg has become more of a diverse community, drawing artists and young people into the city, and I would have liked to read even more. The use of graffiti and other building art to enliven downtown St. Petersburg was touched on in the book, however there was limited opportunity for the reader to “see” the results of this trend.
There were multiple themes to this book in addition to the murder mystery. This included the prejudice and stigma some people in the LBGTQ community experience, both from family and from officials encountered within institutions; the difficulties a teenager who is classified as a high functioning autistic individual might encounter; and the stresses a family member might encounter when a loved one is in hospice care to name the primary ones. These served to add some texture to the novel, but on occasion veered into the arena of trying to impart information rather than character or world building.
The writing came across as a bit stilted, which left me feeling as if I was having the story told to me rather than having an opportunity to see what was happening. The information was interesting, and I would have welcomed the opportunity to encounter it on more of an emotional level than I experienced.
In this novel, Samantha owns a stained glass studio and is teaching a class on creating glass beads when a friend is run down in front of her shop by a hit and run driver. As the story progresses, it becomes apparent that what was initially thought of as a tragic accident was actually murder. As Samantha investigates, she learns a resident at the nearby halfway house saw the incident and confirms it was a deliberate act. She then learns of a connection between her friend and an artist in the graffiti community who is suspected of having painted a forgery. These are bits of information are enough to persuade the police to hire Samantha as an expert with a connection to the arts community to provide investigative assistance.
Solutions for the mystery and other storylines seemed to wrap up a bit swiftly in nice, neat little packages. In at least one case, I was unaware there was a storyline until presented with the resolution. I was not surprised at the identity of the murderer, although there were few actual clues that would lead to the correct solution for the reader who likes to solve the puzzle. Overall, it seems the book has a good premise and potential, but the execution lacked as much depth as I would have liked.
June 28, 2019
Down in Flames is the sixth book in A Webb’s Glass Shop Mystery series. The mystery in the story is self-contained, but I would recommend reading this series in order. The relationships between the characters and the character development over the previous books will allow you to enjoy this story so much more. Savannah Webb has her hands full. She has a new class going on and Amanda, her store manager and teacher of beginner classes is spending more time with her mother who is in hospice. This causes Savannah to be pulled in many directions, but when Nicole, her friend and the manager at her fiancé's pub next door is run down, things get even more dicey. Once again, Savannah is hired as a consultant and the investigation begins.
Savannah is a great protagonist. She is a well-developed character who is friendly, outgoing, helpful and relatable. Edward Morris, Savannah’s fiancé, is the perfect man for her. He is understanding, caring and works with Savannah when she is investigating. I love that he cooks when he is stressed and tried all kinds of crazy new recipes while dealing with trying to run his business after Nicole has been killed. Jacob is one of my favorite characters in this series. He is a high functioning autistic eighteen year old who has a support dog, Suzy. He is extremely observant and helps Savannah a lot when she is investigating. There are many other characters who are regulars in the series such as the quirky and eccentric Rosenberg twins, Officer Joy Williams and Detective Parker. There were a few instances where there was some discrimination toward homosexuality and I liked how this was handled in the story. It is at timely issue, as well as an important one. The artistic storyline was two-fold. There were the glass workshops which I always find interesting, but also the graffitti aspect with the contest and community it encompasses. The mystery and investigation take some time to get moving, but once it was determined that it was a murder, not an accident, then Savannah and Joy went full on. There were several suspects, at one time I had three different people in mind, plus a red herring or two. I did have my suspicions about the killer and that made the ending a bit anti-climactic for me, but that is my only concern. Overall, I enjoyed this story. The setting, the wonderful characters, the well-written plot, the mystery and mayhem as well as the art storylines all mesh together to form a great story. Thanks for another great entry into the Webb Glass Shop Mysteries, Cheryl Hollon. The publisher generously provided me with a copy of this book upon my request. The rating, ideas and opinions shared are my own.
Savannah is a great protagonist. She is a well-developed character who is friendly, outgoing, helpful and relatable. Edward Morris, Savannah’s fiancé, is the perfect man for her. He is understanding, caring and works with Savannah when she is investigating. I love that he cooks when he is stressed and tried all kinds of crazy new recipes while dealing with trying to run his business after Nicole has been killed. Jacob is one of my favorite characters in this series. He is a high functioning autistic eighteen year old who has a support dog, Suzy. He is extremely observant and helps Savannah a lot when she is investigating. There are many other characters who are regulars in the series such as the quirky and eccentric Rosenberg twins, Officer Joy Williams and Detective Parker. There were a few instances where there was some discrimination toward homosexuality and I liked how this was handled in the story. It is at timely issue, as well as an important one. The artistic storyline was two-fold. There were the glass workshops which I always find interesting, but also the graffitti aspect with the contest and community it encompasses. The mystery and investigation take some time to get moving, but once it was determined that it was a murder, not an accident, then Savannah and Joy went full on. There were several suspects, at one time I had three different people in mind, plus a red herring or two. I did have my suspicions about the killer and that made the ending a bit anti-climactic for me, but that is my only concern. Overall, I enjoyed this story. The setting, the wonderful characters, the well-written plot, the mystery and mayhem as well as the art storylines all mesh together to form a great story. Thanks for another great entry into the Webb Glass Shop Mysteries, Cheryl Hollon. The publisher generously provided me with a copy of this book upon my request. The rating, ideas and opinions shared are my own.
June 21, 2019
Down in Flames is the sixth book in this Webb Glass shop series. Savannah has expanded her business to teaching a new fire glass beading workshop. But her peaceful routine is shattered when a hit-and-run kills the manager of her fiancé's pub. To make matters even worse, her assistant Jacob appears to be the only eyewitness and he has stopped any verbal communication, due to the effect of PTSD on his already fragile Asberger's condition. Is Nicole's death a tragic accident--being at the wrong place at the wrong time or is there something more sinister rising to the level of murder?
I've read all the prior books in the series in order. While it can be read as a standalone, I recommend reading in order . There is a lot of progressive character and detail development that a new reader would miss, especially a dedicated cozy mystery lover.
I enjoyed the detailed description of the craft itself; it is well-researched with a description of the terms at the back of the book. I also thought the author treated Jacob's recovery from the trauma of the accident and trying to obtain vital information from him with special sensitivity. I just didn't connect with this book the way I did with the prior five. There was no strong tie or emotional bond between Samantha and the victim other than repeating how important she was to the running of the pub. I really hope that there are more books in the series; the back cover conflicted with what the author wrote in her afterword.
I received a complimentary ARC of this book. My review is voluntary.
I've read all the prior books in the series in order. While it can be read as a standalone, I recommend reading in order . There is a lot of progressive character and detail development that a new reader would miss, especially a dedicated cozy mystery lover.
I enjoyed the detailed description of the craft itself; it is well-researched with a description of the terms at the back of the book. I also thought the author treated Jacob's recovery from the trauma of the accident and trying to obtain vital information from him with special sensitivity. I just didn't connect with this book the way I did with the prior five. There was no strong tie or emotional bond between Samantha and the victim other than repeating how important she was to the running of the pub. I really hope that there are more books in the series; the back cover conflicted with what the author wrote in her afterword.
I received a complimentary ARC of this book. My review is voluntary.
June 20, 2019
Down in Flames is the sixth installment in A Webb’s Glass Shop Mystery series. While it can be read alone, I would recommend reading the series in order. It will allow you to know the characters and their relationships (cast of characters at end of book). Savannah has her hands full in Down in Flames with Nicole’s death, the new flameworking class, Amanda’s mother has been admitted to hospice so she is working part-time, Jacob has a setback after witnessing the hit-and-run that killed Nicole which leaves no one to run Webb’s Studio, Best Burger in the Burg competition and she is being pressured to set a wedding date. Savannah is a delightful protagonist. She is a well-developed character who is friendly, outgoing, and relatable. Edward Morris, Savannah’s fiancé, is the perfect mate for her. He is understanding and dives into the investigation’s with Savannah (he knows there is no stopping her). Amanda Blake is going through a rough time. Her mother, Viola, is in hospice so she knows her days are limited and wants to spend as much time with her as possible. Jacob is a high functioning autistic eighteen year old who has a support dog, Suzy. The Rosenberg twins are always a delight. I especially liked that we got to see more of Officer Joy Williams and Detective Parker. The police moving into their new HQ provided several humorous moments. I had to chuckle at Detective Parker’s office situation. I had to agree with Detective Parker when he said the following about Savannah conducting an investigation “sometimes she lets her enthusiasm overcome good sense.” I like how the author dealt with sensitive and timely topics (prejudice against LBGTQ for example). The mystery takes a little bit of time to get started, but I did find it interesting as it delved into the graffiti community in St. Petersburg. There are a variety of suspects plus a red herring or two. I wish, though, it had been more of a challenge to identify the guilty party. I live near St. Petersburg, which is the setting for this series, so I particularly enjoyed the local color. It mentions area businesses (like Haslam’s), streets and sights. The author described flameworking in an easy to understand fashion. I enjoyed learning more about it (it has me exploring classes in my area). I did tire of the repetition of certain information (Edward is Savannah’s fiance and case details are two examples). There were a couple of unanswered questions at the end which I found frustrating. However, those points did not detract from me having a pleasurable reading experience. Down in Flames has manslaughter, mischief and mayhem wrapped up in one charming cozy mystery.
April 3, 2020
Savannah Webb owns the Webb Glass Shop
in St Petersburg, Florida. She had just ended
her new class in glass bead workshop. She
is teaching a technique called flame-working.
This requires the careful wielding of acetylene
torche to make the glass bead.
After her class has departed including her
autistic assistant Jacob Underwood and his
service dog (Suzy), Savannah hears a thump,
scream and Suzy barking frantically.
Running out front, Savannah finds Nicole
Borawski who works at the Queen’s Head
Pub. She was the bartender/manager there.
She has been hit by a car which then sped
away. As a result of the hit and run Nicole
dies at the hospital. But was it a mere accident
or did someone deliberately run Nicole down?
Savannah springs into action getting herself
appointed as a police consultant to help find
the culprit.
The characters are well written, entertaining,
artfully drawn into their roles.
Murder, intrigue, family drama, family secrets.
street graffiti, SNARK( an unknown graffiti
artist, a hamburger contest, the Liberator,
Jacob going mute, Amanda’s mother in
hospice combine for a busy, intriguing story
with many twists and turns.
A glossary for Flameworking glass is included
at the end of the book along with a cast of
characters plus information about Glassblowing
Instructions and websites to aide the reader to
learn more about the subject.
This is book # 6 in the Webb’s Glass Shop
Mystery series. It can be read as a stand alone.
I volunteered to read Down in Flames. Thanks
to Net Gallery and Kensington for this
opportunity. My opinion is voluntary and my own.
in St Petersburg, Florida. She had just ended
her new class in glass bead workshop. She
is teaching a technique called flame-working.
This requires the careful wielding of acetylene
torche to make the glass bead.
After her class has departed including her
autistic assistant Jacob Underwood and his
service dog (Suzy), Savannah hears a thump,
scream and Suzy barking frantically.
Running out front, Savannah finds Nicole
Borawski who works at the Queen’s Head
Pub. She was the bartender/manager there.
She has been hit by a car which then sped
away. As a result of the hit and run Nicole
dies at the hospital. But was it a mere accident
or did someone deliberately run Nicole down?
Savannah springs into action getting herself
appointed as a police consultant to help find
the culprit.
The characters are well written, entertaining,
artfully drawn into their roles.
Murder, intrigue, family drama, family secrets.
street graffiti, SNARK( an unknown graffiti
artist, a hamburger contest, the Liberator,
Jacob going mute, Amanda’s mother in
hospice combine for a busy, intriguing story
with many twists and turns.
A glossary for Flameworking glass is included
at the end of the book along with a cast of
characters plus information about Glassblowing
Instructions and websites to aide the reader to
learn more about the subject.
This is book # 6 in the Webb’s Glass Shop
Mystery series. It can be read as a stand alone.
I volunteered to read Down in Flames. Thanks
to Net Gallery and Kensington for this
opportunity. My opinion is voluntary and my own.
June 6, 2019
I received a free copy of this book from the publisher through Netgalley and voluntarily reviewed it.
I always have fun with this series set around the Webb's Glass shop and this was another enjoyable installment. Although it got a bit sad at times and the start of the book was a bit slow for my taste. I did like the mystery and managed to figure out who the murderer was. I also like learning more about glass thanks to these books and reading about Savannah's glass classes. It's great to see some familiar characters again too.
The start of this book felt a bit slow for me and a bit too emotional. I don't mind when cozies get a bit emotional, but with the victim not dying immediately and being someone the characters knew, it took a while to get the mystery started with the focus being on the loss and a sad hospital scene at the start. The mystery also was a bit slow to get started as it looked like an accident at first. Once the mystery gets started I got pulled into the story. There also are a bunch of personal issue and another sad scene later in the book.
The mystery was a decent mystery. It's a bit slow to start and there weren't as many suspects at first that felt right. I also felt that there wasn't as much attention and speculation for each suspect. I had a guess about who might be behind it and I thought it was a pretty strong clue, but they have no way of following up on it at first. Then at the end there is a clue that brought it all together for me, but the characters don't pick up on it and only figure things out when the murderer reveals themselves, which wasn't as satisfactory as having them figure it out.
There is also the case of Jacob being the only eye witness to the hit-and-run and him being mute and having memory loss for most of the book. While it made sense and felt in-character it also felt like a convenient way to keep an important clue hidden till late in the book. I was happy how it was a mystery you could figure out as the reader as I always enjoy doing that, if you pick up on that one clue. Savannah's connection with the mystery through her art knowledge was a bit far fetched on this one, especially as it wasn't one of her area of expertise. It did make sense why she would get involved and it is nice the police trust her enough to let her help.
I enjoyed spending time with the familiar group of characters again. It's always fun to spend time with character you've grown to know and see how they're doing. Although it's quite the stressful book for the characters. With a big competition going on where Edward's pub participates, but without his manager things don't go as smoothly. Then there is Savannah who is managing her shop and classes, supporting her friends and trying to solve the mystery. Amanda's mother is not doing so well so she's out of sorts and going to the hospice a lot. Then there is Jacob who is mute and has memory loss, so he's dealing with a lot too. They all deal, but I would've liked a few calmer moments. I did like the scenes with the new police station as that actually made for a bit of comic relief at times. It's fun to be able to get the police their point of view as well. I also liked to see how Savannah and Edward are doing as a couple. And the twin who always attend the glass classes are great too. The mystery was mixed in well with all the other topics.
To summarize: It was fun to spend some time with the familiar characters again and in Webb's Glass shop. I found the start of this one a bit slow, once the mystery started I got pulled more into the story. I also thought this was quite the stressful book for the characters with everything they have going on and it could be a bit sad at times too. I did like the mystery and I managed to figure out who the murderer was after an important clue. It was a bit unsatisfactory how the main character doesn't figure out the murderer's identity until the murderer reveals themselves. There were some fun scenes surrounding the new police station and I also enjoyed the glass shop scenes. All in all this was a solid read, but for me not one of the better books in the series, although it still had plenty of things I enjoyed.
I always have fun with this series set around the Webb's Glass shop and this was another enjoyable installment. Although it got a bit sad at times and the start of the book was a bit slow for my taste. I did like the mystery and managed to figure out who the murderer was. I also like learning more about glass thanks to these books and reading about Savannah's glass classes. It's great to see some familiar characters again too.
The start of this book felt a bit slow for me and a bit too emotional. I don't mind when cozies get a bit emotional, but with the victim not dying immediately and being someone the characters knew, it took a while to get the mystery started with the focus being on the loss and a sad hospital scene at the start. The mystery also was a bit slow to get started as it looked like an accident at first. Once the mystery gets started I got pulled into the story. There also are a bunch of personal issue and another sad scene later in the book.
The mystery was a decent mystery. It's a bit slow to start and there weren't as many suspects at first that felt right. I also felt that there wasn't as much attention and speculation for each suspect. I had a guess about who might be behind it and I thought it was a pretty strong clue, but they have no way of following up on it at first. Then at the end there is a clue that brought it all together for me, but the characters don't pick up on it and only figure things out when the murderer reveals themselves, which wasn't as satisfactory as having them figure it out.
There is also the case of Jacob being the only eye witness to the hit-and-run and him being mute and having memory loss for most of the book. While it made sense and felt in-character it also felt like a convenient way to keep an important clue hidden till late in the book. I was happy how it was a mystery you could figure out as the reader as I always enjoy doing that, if you pick up on that one clue. Savannah's connection with the mystery through her art knowledge was a bit far fetched on this one, especially as it wasn't one of her area of expertise. It did make sense why she would get involved and it is nice the police trust her enough to let her help.
I enjoyed spending time with the familiar group of characters again. It's always fun to spend time with character you've grown to know and see how they're doing. Although it's quite the stressful book for the characters. With a big competition going on where Edward's pub participates, but without his manager things don't go as smoothly. Then there is Savannah who is managing her shop and classes, supporting her friends and trying to solve the mystery. Amanda's mother is not doing so well so she's out of sorts and going to the hospice a lot. Then there is Jacob who is mute and has memory loss, so he's dealing with a lot too. They all deal, but I would've liked a few calmer moments. I did like the scenes with the new police station as that actually made for a bit of comic relief at times. It's fun to be able to get the police their point of view as well. I also liked to see how Savannah and Edward are doing as a couple. And the twin who always attend the glass classes are great too. The mystery was mixed in well with all the other topics.
To summarize: It was fun to spend some time with the familiar characters again and in Webb's Glass shop. I found the start of this one a bit slow, once the mystery started I got pulled more into the story. I also thought this was quite the stressful book for the characters with everything they have going on and it could be a bit sad at times too. I did like the mystery and I managed to figure out who the murderer was after an important clue. It was a bit unsatisfactory how the main character doesn't figure out the murderer's identity until the murderer reveals themselves. There were some fun scenes surrounding the new police station and I also enjoyed the glass shop scenes. All in all this was a solid read, but for me not one of the better books in the series, although it still had plenty of things I enjoyed.
June 25, 2019
In the next installment of Cheryl Hollon’s Webb Glass Shop Mysteries it opens with Nicole, Edward’s manager at the Queens Head Pub, is struck by a hit-and-run driver. Was it an accident or was it on purpose? The only real witness to it is Jacob, Savannah’s restorationist, who also happens to be on the autism spectrum, after the accident he goes mute and doesn’t remember anything. Will Jacob recover his memory and will Savannah help St Petersburg PD solve the case before someone else is run down.
Cheryl Hollon’s knowledge of glass working is exceptional and really adds to the telling of the story. The characters are realistic and having an autistic character enhances the story.
I enjoyed this book thoroughly and plan on reading the next book in the series as soon as it becomes available.
Thank you Kensington Mystery for allowing me to read this book for a fair and honest review.
Cheryl Hollon’s knowledge of glass working is exceptional and really adds to the telling of the story. The characters are realistic and having an autistic character enhances the story.
I enjoyed this book thoroughly and plan on reading the next book in the series as soon as it becomes available.
Thank you Kensington Mystery for allowing me to read this book for a fair and honest review.
May 16, 2019
Love, loss, uncertainty, mystery and intrigue are all a part of this wonderful cozy mystery. I am in love with this series that contains a person living with a disability, something that is rarely explored. I can't wait to read the next in the series!
August 12, 2019
https://openbooksociety.com/article/d...
Down in Flames
A Webb’s Glass Shop Mystery #6
By Cheryl Hollon
ISBN 9781496711793
cherylhollon.com
Brought to you by OBS Reviewer Jeanie
Synopsis:
A highlight of Savannah’s new glass bead workshop is a technique called flame-working, which requires the careful wielding of acetylene torches. Understandably, safety is a top priority. But as Savannah is ensuring her students’ safety inside, a hit-and-run driver strikes down a pedestrian outside her shop.
The victim is Nicole Borawski, the bartender/manager at the Queen’s Head Pub, owned by Savannah’s boyfriend Edward. It quickly becomes clear that this was no random act of vehicular manslaughter. Now the glass shop owner is all fired up to get a bead on the driver–before someone else meets a dead end . . . (from Goodreads)
Review:
This is an exciting, enjoyable sixth offering in the Webb’s Glass Shop Mystery series; it can be read as a standalone yet might be better appreciated if reading in the series. The characters are well-defined and very likable. The setting in St. Petersburg, FL is beautiful and the mystery intriguing.
Savannah and her fiancé have discussed setting a wedding date, but events in this novel lead her to continue to put it off. Edward, however, wants the date set soon so his parents can come from England, and her friends suggest that life is too short to wait. After the unexpected death of her father about a year ago, Savannah inherited the glass shop he started. She moved back from Seattle where her career in glasswork, especially blown glass, was taking off. The shop is growing due to expanded workspace and the opening of a studio for glass workers to rent spaces by the month.
Jacob is a teen her father had hired as an apprentice. He is talented enough to excel and loves what he does. He has autism and is high-functioning; his eye for detail and routine give him excellent talents to work patiently with glass restoration and to now, as a journeyman, oversee the studio. He has the help of his service dog, Suzy.
After students attending the new glass beadmaking class at Webb’s leave, Jacob also leaves with Suzy. Savannah hears a sickening series of sounds, including a scream, a thump, and the squeal of tires. Running out, she sees Jacob stock still, unspeaking, then runs to the figure lying in the street. It is Nicole, the manager and bartender at Edward’s pub, with an obvious head injury and twisted limbs. Later that night Nicole died during surgery, leaving behind her wife of little more than a year, brothers, and parents she has been estranged from since announcing her intention to marry Elizabeth. Jacob is mute. He will probably regain his ability to speak but his memory of the accident, of which he is the only witness, may not return.
Savannah has consulted for the police department in the past when mysteries or murders have affiliation with the arts in various forms. As there is no immediate artistic connection for Nicole, it is a relief of sorts as she has too many things on her plate for this investigation. The mother of her office manager, Amanda, is in hospice care, so she arranges for Amanda spend as much time with her mom as possible. She must arrange for someone to oversee the studio until Jacob can return to work.
Everybody has secrets, and Nicole was no exception. Amanda shared information about Nicole that indicates there is a possible artistic involvement, so Savannah is authorized a few hours on the case. When cleaning out her employee locker at the pub, she and Edward discover more evidence of a connection with art, solidified by another family member.
The characters are better defined in every offering of the series! I like Savannah and admire her business acumen and how she cares for her employees. Amanda’s mother Viola is a dear lady; I appreciate the empathy and concern the author demonstrates towards Viola and Amanda while Viola is in hospice. Jacob is one of my favorites; despite his health challenges, he continues to pursue what he enjoys. We see him make mature choices to proceed towards his recovery after the accident. He is an integral member of the Webb’s Glass team.
The plot has twists and turns that keeps the reader actively engaged with the story. I found myself making a list of my suspects. Challenges – more than usual – are involved with solving this murder due to the police department moving to a new building. I am with Detective Parker – gotta love working from those hard-copy files, especially when over the course of the move, records disappear from the server. I actually did figure out who the bad guy was, but definitely not why. That, to me, was the true surprise. I was saddened overall by Nicole’s family, showing how sometimes our primary family is one of our choosing rather than by birth. Overall, I was satisfied with the novel and the end and highly recommend this, and the series, to cozy mystery and glass craft lovers.
*OBS would like to thank the publisher for supplying a free copy of this title in exchange for an honest review*
Down in Flames
A Webb’s Glass Shop Mystery #6
By Cheryl Hollon
ISBN 9781496711793
cherylhollon.com
Brought to you by OBS Reviewer Jeanie
Synopsis:
A highlight of Savannah’s new glass bead workshop is a technique called flame-working, which requires the careful wielding of acetylene torches. Understandably, safety is a top priority. But as Savannah is ensuring her students’ safety inside, a hit-and-run driver strikes down a pedestrian outside her shop.
The victim is Nicole Borawski, the bartender/manager at the Queen’s Head Pub, owned by Savannah’s boyfriend Edward. It quickly becomes clear that this was no random act of vehicular manslaughter. Now the glass shop owner is all fired up to get a bead on the driver–before someone else meets a dead end . . . (from Goodreads)
Review:
This is an exciting, enjoyable sixth offering in the Webb’s Glass Shop Mystery series; it can be read as a standalone yet might be better appreciated if reading in the series. The characters are well-defined and very likable. The setting in St. Petersburg, FL is beautiful and the mystery intriguing.
Savannah and her fiancé have discussed setting a wedding date, but events in this novel lead her to continue to put it off. Edward, however, wants the date set soon so his parents can come from England, and her friends suggest that life is too short to wait. After the unexpected death of her father about a year ago, Savannah inherited the glass shop he started. She moved back from Seattle where her career in glasswork, especially blown glass, was taking off. The shop is growing due to expanded workspace and the opening of a studio for glass workers to rent spaces by the month.
Jacob is a teen her father had hired as an apprentice. He is talented enough to excel and loves what he does. He has autism and is high-functioning; his eye for detail and routine give him excellent talents to work patiently with glass restoration and to now, as a journeyman, oversee the studio. He has the help of his service dog, Suzy.
After students attending the new glass beadmaking class at Webb’s leave, Jacob also leaves with Suzy. Savannah hears a sickening series of sounds, including a scream, a thump, and the squeal of tires. Running out, she sees Jacob stock still, unspeaking, then runs to the figure lying in the street. It is Nicole, the manager and bartender at Edward’s pub, with an obvious head injury and twisted limbs. Later that night Nicole died during surgery, leaving behind her wife of little more than a year, brothers, and parents she has been estranged from since announcing her intention to marry Elizabeth. Jacob is mute. He will probably regain his ability to speak but his memory of the accident, of which he is the only witness, may not return.
Savannah has consulted for the police department in the past when mysteries or murders have affiliation with the arts in various forms. As there is no immediate artistic connection for Nicole, it is a relief of sorts as she has too many things on her plate for this investigation. The mother of her office manager, Amanda, is in hospice care, so she arranges for Amanda spend as much time with her mom as possible. She must arrange for someone to oversee the studio until Jacob can return to work.
Everybody has secrets, and Nicole was no exception. Amanda shared information about Nicole that indicates there is a possible artistic involvement, so Savannah is authorized a few hours on the case. When cleaning out her employee locker at the pub, she and Edward discover more evidence of a connection with art, solidified by another family member.
The characters are better defined in every offering of the series! I like Savannah and admire her business acumen and how she cares for her employees. Amanda’s mother Viola is a dear lady; I appreciate the empathy and concern the author demonstrates towards Viola and Amanda while Viola is in hospice. Jacob is one of my favorites; despite his health challenges, he continues to pursue what he enjoys. We see him make mature choices to proceed towards his recovery after the accident. He is an integral member of the Webb’s Glass team.
The plot has twists and turns that keeps the reader actively engaged with the story. I found myself making a list of my suspects. Challenges – more than usual – are involved with solving this murder due to the police department moving to a new building. I am with Detective Parker – gotta love working from those hard-copy files, especially when over the course of the move, records disappear from the server. I actually did figure out who the bad guy was, but definitely not why. That, to me, was the true surprise. I was saddened overall by Nicole’s family, showing how sometimes our primary family is one of our choosing rather than by birth. Overall, I was satisfied with the novel and the end and highly recommend this, and the series, to cozy mystery and glass craft lovers.
*OBS would like to thank the publisher for supplying a free copy of this title in exchange for an honest review*
June 20, 2019
Savannah Webb owns and runs a glass shop, one she inherited from her father, in St. Petersburg, Florida. The books opens with her teaching glass-blowing to a small group of people, but when the class ends, someone is hit by a car in front of Savannah's shop.
The tragedy is witnessed by a Jacob, an autistic young man who works for her. Jacob immediately goes into shock and doesn't recall what he saw. He's also not speaking to anyone, not even his mother.
The victim, Nicole, works for Savannah's fianceé, Edward, the owner of a local restaurant. Nicole, they discover, had a falling-out with her family over her marriage, but it's Nicole's obsession with the art of graffiti that surprises.
Officer Joy Williams is assigned to the case and she and Savannah conclude that this was no accident; someone wanted Nicole dead. Was it someone in the restaurant, her family, or the graffiti world that Nicole was part of? While Officer Williams works on an official capacity, she asks that Savannah help her in a minor one. Savannah leaps at the chance to help her friend, and discovers more than she expected, all while trying to hold glass-making classes with some quirky students, pinning down a date for her wedding, and making sure Jacob remains safe.
This was the first Webb's Glass Shop Mystery I'd read; while the story flowed well enough, and I enjoyed reading the book, it seemed like I should have read the five previous books. There wasn't a detailed summary (of the earlier books) to catch me up on the characters, setting, etc.
I was glad to see there was a larger police presence in this novel; that seems to be lacking in some cozy series. The banter between Officer Williams and Detective Parker were my favorite parts to read.
Ms. Hollon clearly knows her glass-blowing skills (she indicates this after the story ends), and deftly spins a colorful description each time glass-blowing is the focus.
The inclusion of LGBTQ and autistic characters was especially great; this reflects real-life people and situations, and was a wonderful addition to this interesting cozy mystery.
I'll definitely be reading other books in this series.
Note: This is a clean read; no cussing, sex, or graphic violence.
The tragedy is witnessed by a Jacob, an autistic young man who works for her. Jacob immediately goes into shock and doesn't recall what he saw. He's also not speaking to anyone, not even his mother.
The victim, Nicole, works for Savannah's fianceé, Edward, the owner of a local restaurant. Nicole, they discover, had a falling-out with her family over her marriage, but it's Nicole's obsession with the art of graffiti that surprises.
Officer Joy Williams is assigned to the case and she and Savannah conclude that this was no accident; someone wanted Nicole dead. Was it someone in the restaurant, her family, or the graffiti world that Nicole was part of? While Officer Williams works on an official capacity, she asks that Savannah help her in a minor one. Savannah leaps at the chance to help her friend, and discovers more than she expected, all while trying to hold glass-making classes with some quirky students, pinning down a date for her wedding, and making sure Jacob remains safe.
This was the first Webb's Glass Shop Mystery I'd read; while the story flowed well enough, and I enjoyed reading the book, it seemed like I should have read the five previous books. There wasn't a detailed summary (of the earlier books) to catch me up on the characters, setting, etc.
I was glad to see there was a larger police presence in this novel; that seems to be lacking in some cozy series. The banter between Officer Williams and Detective Parker were my favorite parts to read.
Ms. Hollon clearly knows her glass-blowing skills (she indicates this after the story ends), and deftly spins a colorful description each time glass-blowing is the focus.
The inclusion of LGBTQ and autistic characters was especially great; this reflects real-life people and situations, and was a wonderful addition to this interesting cozy mystery.
I'll definitely be reading other books in this series.
Note: This is a clean read; no cussing, sex, or graphic violence.
June 21, 2019
4.5 Stars
This is the sixth book in the Web Glass Shop Mystery series by Cheryl Hollon.
I am not sure why I feel like this is not a normal cozy mystery. Maybe it is the police-procedural version of a cozy mystery. At least, that is how I feel. This starts out with a hit and run accident out front of Webb’s Glass Shop. Turns out someone deliberately hit Nicole, the manager of the Queen’s Head Pub owned by Savannah’s boyfriend, Edward.
Between giving a how to make glass beads workshop and trying to find some snuggle time with Edward, Savannah tries to solve the mystery of who could have run down her friend in cold blood. The actual mystery solving seemed a bit blasé and not the normal caliber I am used to in a Webb’s Glass Shop book.
There were quite a number of emotional scenes in this book that effected many characters and I wondered if Hollon might have had a somewhat similar experience in her life while she was writing this book and just channelled her emotions into the pages herein.
It has been a few years since I’ve read a Webb’s Glass Shop mystery. I think it was one of the first books I read to review for NetGalley. It is nice that I found such a keeper of a series right from the start. For me, this is just super interesting. My great-uncle used to do a lot of stained glass crafting and I thought that was pretty neat. There isn’t as much stained glass stuff in this as I remember there being in past books but that doesn’t bother me. This is more about the mystery than the craft, more about character building and overall arc of series building than anything else. This book is just a work of character art. So many themes came forward if only momentarily. I found it all endearing, sad sometimes and thrilling other times.
This series is a cozy mystery lovers dream. Definitely check it out soon if you dig series like that.
I received this as an ARC (Advanced Reader Copy) in return for an honest review. I thank NetGalley, the publisher and the author for allowing me to read this title.
This is the sixth book in the Web Glass Shop Mystery series by Cheryl Hollon.
I am not sure why I feel like this is not a normal cozy mystery. Maybe it is the police-procedural version of a cozy mystery. At least, that is how I feel. This starts out with a hit and run accident out front of Webb’s Glass Shop. Turns out someone deliberately hit Nicole, the manager of the Queen’s Head Pub owned by Savannah’s boyfriend, Edward.
Between giving a how to make glass beads workshop and trying to find some snuggle time with Edward, Savannah tries to solve the mystery of who could have run down her friend in cold blood. The actual mystery solving seemed a bit blasé and not the normal caliber I am used to in a Webb’s Glass Shop book.
There were quite a number of emotional scenes in this book that effected many characters and I wondered if Hollon might have had a somewhat similar experience in her life while she was writing this book and just channelled her emotions into the pages herein.
It has been a few years since I’ve read a Webb’s Glass Shop mystery. I think it was one of the first books I read to review for NetGalley. It is nice that I found such a keeper of a series right from the start. For me, this is just super interesting. My great-uncle used to do a lot of stained glass crafting and I thought that was pretty neat. There isn’t as much stained glass stuff in this as I remember there being in past books but that doesn’t bother me. This is more about the mystery than the craft, more about character building and overall arc of series building than anything else. This book is just a work of character art. So many themes came forward if only momentarily. I found it all endearing, sad sometimes and thrilling other times.
This series is a cozy mystery lovers dream. Definitely check it out soon if you dig series like that.
I received this as an ARC (Advanced Reader Copy) in return for an honest review. I thank NetGalley, the publisher and the author for allowing me to read this title.
June 25, 2019
Cheryl Hollon keeps you guessing till the very end!
Down in Flames is the sixth, and very enjoyable, book in the Webb’s Glass Shop Mystery series. As Savannah is teaching a new glass bead workshop that uses a flame-working technique, someone is hit by a car right outside her shop. At first it seems to be an accident, although the driver never stopped, but little bits start coming to light about the victim and her life, so it’s determined the hit-and-run was on purpose.
When I read a series, I tend to get very invested and attached to characters, so it was with a bit of dismay to read this book and find that a recurring character was struck by a hit-and-run driver. But the story line was so well-woven that I couldn’t put it down. I like that the author keeps bringing the same characters back in each book, from Savannah’s fiancé to the elderly twins who take every one of her workshops. I was kept guessing to the very surprising end of the book!
Savannah might not have any family in St. Petersburg, Fl, but her circle of friends has become like a family. They support her and each other in every book, from daily life to investigating crimes. This series also touches on modern day issues and lifestyles, and the author writes about them with the utmost respect.
One of the best parts about reading Cozy Mysteries are the themes or hobbies. I’ve learned a lot about glass-working from this series, and the author herself creates glass art. This book is definitely going on my keeper shelf.
Down in Flames is the sixth, and very enjoyable, book in the Webb’s Glass Shop Mystery series. As Savannah is teaching a new glass bead workshop that uses a flame-working technique, someone is hit by a car right outside her shop. At first it seems to be an accident, although the driver never stopped, but little bits start coming to light about the victim and her life, so it’s determined the hit-and-run was on purpose.
When I read a series, I tend to get very invested and attached to characters, so it was with a bit of dismay to read this book and find that a recurring character was struck by a hit-and-run driver. But the story line was so well-woven that I couldn’t put it down. I like that the author keeps bringing the same characters back in each book, from Savannah’s fiancé to the elderly twins who take every one of her workshops. I was kept guessing to the very surprising end of the book!
Savannah might not have any family in St. Petersburg, Fl, but her circle of friends has become like a family. They support her and each other in every book, from daily life to investigating crimes. This series also touches on modern day issues and lifestyles, and the author writes about them with the utmost respect.
One of the best parts about reading Cozy Mysteries are the themes or hobbies. I’ve learned a lot about glass-working from this series, and the author herself creates glass art. This book is definitely going on my keeper shelf.
August 28, 2019
A lovely mix of mystery, personal relationships and learning about glasswork. This is one of my favorite cozy mystery series and this installment did not disappoint. I love that the author is a glass maker herself and you can tell how much passion she has for the art form in her writing. One of my favorite things about this series is that the glass making is described so well and it makes me want to go out and find a glass studio to try my own hand at it.
I love how complex these cozy characters are; even the side characters. Savannah is so smart and has truly cultivated a lovely group of friends around her. The complexity of the characters really adds to the mystery; there were so many angles to investigate because the victim Nicole had many hidden depths. I was pretty stumped and then surprised when the culprit was revealed. The ending was so well done, and I love that it wasn't overly drawn out.
Another unique thing that I loved about this series is that Savannah works with the police to help solve the murder. This makes it more realistic when she snoops around or questions people. And we get to see a glimpse into the police procedure because Office Joy gets her own POVs, which I really enjoyed.
I can't wait to read more from this series; to see these characters again and to learn more about the glass making art.
Thank you to the publisher for a free copy of this book. I was happy to give my honest thoughts.
I love how complex these cozy characters are; even the side characters. Savannah is so smart and has truly cultivated a lovely group of friends around her. The complexity of the characters really adds to the mystery; there were so many angles to investigate because the victim Nicole had many hidden depths. I was pretty stumped and then surprised when the culprit was revealed. The ending was so well done, and I love that it wasn't overly drawn out.
Another unique thing that I loved about this series is that Savannah works with the police to help solve the murder. This makes it more realistic when she snoops around or questions people. And we get to see a glimpse into the police procedure because Office Joy gets her own POVs, which I really enjoyed.
I can't wait to read more from this series; to see these characters again and to learn more about the glass making art.
Thank you to the publisher for a free copy of this book. I was happy to give my honest thoughts.
July 8, 2019
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the chance to read this book!
I'm always up for a cozy mystery, even if I haven't read the rest of the series. I did enjoy this one, but it didn't really feel like a cozy in some parts. Possibly because the murder victim didn't die straight away, and then Savannah was trusted by the police as a consultant with basically free reign. That's odd for a cozy, especially as normally they shy away from the violence of murder (odd as that sounds) In the end the motive felt a little flimsy as well, and rushed. I kind of wavered between three and four stars and ended up going one higher because there is nothing essentially wrong with this book, it just had small elements I didn't like. On the whole I like the setting and the characters, as well as the Glass shop so I'm willing to give this series/author another go.
Different for a cozy; perhaps you'd enjoy it more than I did? Four stars regardless.
I'm always up for a cozy mystery, even if I haven't read the rest of the series. I did enjoy this one, but it didn't really feel like a cozy in some parts. Possibly because the murder victim didn't die straight away, and then Savannah was trusted by the police as a consultant with basically free reign. That's odd for a cozy, especially as normally they shy away from the violence of murder (odd as that sounds) In the end the motive felt a little flimsy as well, and rushed. I kind of wavered between three and four stars and ended up going one higher because there is nothing essentially wrong with this book, it just had small elements I didn't like. On the whole I like the setting and the characters, as well as the Glass shop so I'm willing to give this series/author another go.
Different for a cozy; perhaps you'd enjoy it more than I did? Four stars regardless.
July 28, 2019
Wow! Another great installment to the series! Savannah and Edward have lost a dear friend to a horrid hit and run that may not be the accident that everyone wants it to be! Excellent character development that stays true to the characters personalities yet allows each character growth in each book. I particularly like the growth that Jacob's character undergoes. I have an autistic nephew and have seen dramatic changes in his personality when a trigger gets flipped that allows him to develop further. I loved that touch in this book. The author really brings the characters to life which only enhances an already well written plot. I am absolutely giddy with anticipation for the next book and I have just finished this one!
September 29, 2019
The manager of Savannah’s boyfriend’s bar is the victim of a hit and run in front of her glass making studio. The only witness is an autistic boy who loses his ability to speak after seeing it. The police dept is in a mess because the office is moving, so they allow Savannah to look into the murder. interesting information on glass making.
March 17, 2020
Down in Flames by Cheryl Hollon sparks another good mystery with characters that are intriquing and can melt your heart. The way she uses down to earth people, flaws and all, and weaves them into the intricate pattern of the whole mystery is wonderful. Some of my favorite characters are Jacob and the twin sisters Rachel and Faith. They just add that special element to the story. All of the people involved in the story bring a family like quality to the mystery and makes it special. If you like a good mystery, with fun loving characters, A unique setting and unexpected twists and turns then you will enjoy this book.
Jacob is a witness to a hit and run which throws him into shock complicated by his autism. Savannah has to help the police in finding out what Jacob knows and finding who hit and killed Nicole before that person comes after her and Jacob. As she investigates she finds that maybe they didn't know Nicole as well as they thought. Is her secret life what got her killed? Savannah wants to know but could her snooping be detrimental to her health too? You will want to read the book to find out.
I enjoyed this book. It was a fast paced, intriquing read with elements of surprise to keep you reading. I think as you read it you are easily able to relate to all the characters and feel like you know them. I like a book that has characters that might be someone you know. If there was a down side it might be that it was a little wordy in a couple of places but not bad. I would of liked to have a little more complexity to the mystery but it was still good.
I would recommend this book and series if you like a good cozy mystery.
I received this book for my honest opinion and review.
Jacob is a witness to a hit and run which throws him into shock complicated by his autism. Savannah has to help the police in finding out what Jacob knows and finding who hit and killed Nicole before that person comes after her and Jacob. As she investigates she finds that maybe they didn't know Nicole as well as they thought. Is her secret life what got her killed? Savannah wants to know but could her snooping be detrimental to her health too? You will want to read the book to find out.
I enjoyed this book. It was a fast paced, intriquing read with elements of surprise to keep you reading. I think as you read it you are easily able to relate to all the characters and feel like you know them. I like a book that has characters that might be someone you know. If there was a down side it might be that it was a little wordy in a couple of places but not bad. I would of liked to have a little more complexity to the mystery but it was still good.
I would recommend this book and series if you like a good cozy mystery.
I received this book for my honest opinion and review.
June 24, 2019
I received a complimentary ARC of this book from the author in exchange for a fair and honest review, and my review is voluntary. Having said that, I enjoyed this book very much.
This is not the first book in a series, and I have not yet read the previous books in this series. But I will be reading them in the near future because of how much I liked this book. I did feel that I might have enjoyed this book even more if I had read the previous books first and learned a bit more about the individuals and the interactions between the characters, however, I believe that this book works well as a standalone, since the author was good to provide some basic character development within this book.
The book started a little slow for me. It felt like there was a little too much focus on social issues. For example, one of the main characters has Asberger’s Syndrome, and the person who is killed is in a lesbian marriage, which causes difficulty for her wife at the hospital and with others who are intolerant of the LGBTQ community. I understand that these are real problems in today’s world, at first, it just felt like there was a LOT of that. However, these issues are part of the story, and they help to make up the fabric of the plot. Once I got further into the book, it was a very good story, and those issues helped with an understanding of why certain characters behaved the way they did.
The main character in this book is Savannah, who owns a glass shop and studio, where she runs classes in glass blowing and bead making. There is a hit and run just outside of her shop while she is holding one of these classes. It turns out, that the woman who was hit and killed is the manager of her fiancé’s pub, and since she has a history of advising the local police department from an artist’s perspective, she launches into an investigation of this murder. While the police initially suspect that it was a tragic accident, Samantha is convinced that it was intentional.
Throughout her investigation, Savannah delves into the St. Petersburg art scene, particularly that graffiti and building art community. Her connection to the murder investigation through her expertise in art is tenuous, at best, but it sort of makes sense and it is a slightly far-fetched excuse for her to be officially involved.
I found the information about the art of glass working to be very interesting and well-researched. There is even a glossary of terms at the end of the book for those who may want to learn more about the craft.
The author’s treatment of the trauma experienced by the witness (who is the character with Asberger’s), and the difficulty getting him to provide details of what he witnessed was handled extremely well. I know a few people with this condition, and it is often misunderstood, so I was pleased to see it handled so gracefully and sensitively.
Overall, I would recommend this book to any cozy mystery lover. I don’t think I could place it among my very favorite books in this genre, because it felt a little bit forced and too easily wrapped up in nice little boxes with bows on them. The characters were relatable and the story was interesting, and I look forward to reading the previous 5 books in this series, as well as any further books from this author.
This is not the first book in a series, and I have not yet read the previous books in this series. But I will be reading them in the near future because of how much I liked this book. I did feel that I might have enjoyed this book even more if I had read the previous books first and learned a bit more about the individuals and the interactions between the characters, however, I believe that this book works well as a standalone, since the author was good to provide some basic character development within this book.
The book started a little slow for me. It felt like there was a little too much focus on social issues. For example, one of the main characters has Asberger’s Syndrome, and the person who is killed is in a lesbian marriage, which causes difficulty for her wife at the hospital and with others who are intolerant of the LGBTQ community. I understand that these are real problems in today’s world, at first, it just felt like there was a LOT of that. However, these issues are part of the story, and they help to make up the fabric of the plot. Once I got further into the book, it was a very good story, and those issues helped with an understanding of why certain characters behaved the way they did.
The main character in this book is Savannah, who owns a glass shop and studio, where she runs classes in glass blowing and bead making. There is a hit and run just outside of her shop while she is holding one of these classes. It turns out, that the woman who was hit and killed is the manager of her fiancé’s pub, and since she has a history of advising the local police department from an artist’s perspective, she launches into an investigation of this murder. While the police initially suspect that it was a tragic accident, Samantha is convinced that it was intentional.
Throughout her investigation, Savannah delves into the St. Petersburg art scene, particularly that graffiti and building art community. Her connection to the murder investigation through her expertise in art is tenuous, at best, but it sort of makes sense and it is a slightly far-fetched excuse for her to be officially involved.
I found the information about the art of glass working to be very interesting and well-researched. There is even a glossary of terms at the end of the book for those who may want to learn more about the craft.
The author’s treatment of the trauma experienced by the witness (who is the character with Asberger’s), and the difficulty getting him to provide details of what he witnessed was handled extremely well. I know a few people with this condition, and it is often misunderstood, so I was pleased to see it handled so gracefully and sensitively.
Overall, I would recommend this book to any cozy mystery lover. I don’t think I could place it among my very favorite books in this genre, because it felt a little bit forced and too easily wrapped up in nice little boxes with bows on them. The characters were relatable and the story was interesting, and I look forward to reading the previous 5 books in this series, as well as any further books from this author.
June 12, 2019
Savannah Webb has just begun teaching a new class in beadmaking at her family’s glass shop in St. Petersburg, Florida. After one of the classes ends and Savannah has dismissed her small group of students, she hears a commotion next door. She races outside and is horrified to see the young woman who manages the pub owned by Savannah’s fiancé is a victim of a hit and run. The only one who witnessed Nicole being hit is Savannah’s teenaged apprentice, who is autistic and goes into shock from what he saw. When police officer Joy Williams’s investigation takes an unusual turn, she enlists Savannah to track down a lead and find a killer.
There are five books that came before this one in the Webb’s Glass Shop series, but "Down in Flames" is the first one I’ve read. There are a lot of characters in the book between Savannah’s friends, employees, and students. However, the author does a great job of introducing the main characters in the first couple of chapters, and also includes a helpful “Cast of Characters” list. I enjoyed getting to know the diverse group of characters and seeing their interactions with each other. I like how patient Savannah is with her students and the loyalty she shows her friends. It’s nice that Savannah’s sleuthing has the blessing of Joy, the officer in charge of the case. It’s wonderful seeing them collaborate and share information each has learned. I had an idea about who the killer was, but there were enough possible suspects that I was kept guessing until the end.
The best part about this book is the detailed information given about beadmaking. I love it when the theme of a cozy mystery is covered in depth and not just mentioned in passing and isn’t an important part of the book. I’ve not done any type of glasswork before, but I learned a lot as Savannah instructs her class on how to make glass beads. In addition to the information included within the story, there is more information included in a glossary and author’s note at the end of the book. I like seeing Savannah in action teaching the classes and not just hearing that she run the glass show that she inherited from her father.
I enjoyed the book and think fans of Krista Davis would also enjoy it. I would rate it 4.5 stars and have rounded up to 5 stars. I liked "Down in Flames" so much, I will be seeking out additional books in this series.
I received this book from NetGalley through the courtesy of Kensington Publishing. The book was provided to me in exchange for an honest review.
There are five books that came before this one in the Webb’s Glass Shop series, but "Down in Flames" is the first one I’ve read. There are a lot of characters in the book between Savannah’s friends, employees, and students. However, the author does a great job of introducing the main characters in the first couple of chapters, and also includes a helpful “Cast of Characters” list. I enjoyed getting to know the diverse group of characters and seeing their interactions with each other. I like how patient Savannah is with her students and the loyalty she shows her friends. It’s nice that Savannah’s sleuthing has the blessing of Joy, the officer in charge of the case. It’s wonderful seeing them collaborate and share information each has learned. I had an idea about who the killer was, but there were enough possible suspects that I was kept guessing until the end.
The best part about this book is the detailed information given about beadmaking. I love it when the theme of a cozy mystery is covered in depth and not just mentioned in passing and isn’t an important part of the book. I’ve not done any type of glasswork before, but I learned a lot as Savannah instructs her class on how to make glass beads. In addition to the information included within the story, there is more information included in a glossary and author’s note at the end of the book. I like seeing Savannah in action teaching the classes and not just hearing that she run the glass show that she inherited from her father.
I enjoyed the book and think fans of Krista Davis would also enjoy it. I would rate it 4.5 stars and have rounded up to 5 stars. I liked "Down in Flames" so much, I will be seeking out additional books in this series.
I received this book from NetGalley through the courtesy of Kensington Publishing. The book was provided to me in exchange for an honest review.
June 26, 2019
This is #6 in the series and while it can be read as a stand alone a reader new to the series would get much more enjoyment from Down in Flames by reading them in order. The relationship between the hit and run victim and Jacob, the young man who witnessed the tragedy and Savannah has lots of depth when you know the history. But, even if you don't go back to the first book, you will be fine if you start with this one.
Savannah is branching out from her stained glass classes and teaching bead making. Jacob, a high functioning autistic young man, has become her apprentice, coming along well with help from his mother and Savannah and his service dog, Suzy. At the end of class, Jacob sees one of their friends, Nicole, the bartender at the restaurant owned by Savannah finance, Edward, killed in a hit and run accident that is later ruled a homicide. Jacob is so traumatized by the event that he has become mute, blocking it all from his mind. The police, who are also friends of Savannah, ask for her expertise in the local art world in investigating the case. One of the threads in the case involves graffiti plus Nicole was a friend. From past experience they also know that Savannah will snoop on her own if not included.
There are many levels to this mystery - family relationships, Autism, Savannah's store manager, Amanda and her dealing with her mother now in hospice care, same sex marriage and family tensions over it - add to the fact that Savannah is going to marry Edward but has yet to set a date. Some of the story is serious but it is softened by two of my favorite characters, the Rosenberg twins, Faith and Rachel. Dressed head to toe in pink and decorated with flamingos, they are such a sweet pair of senior citizens even though Faith lights one of the torches before the class can start and sets her pink sweater on fire. Still, they have been a fixture from book one, about 5 years by their guess, never missing a single class. I can't wait to see what happens in the next book.
My thanks to the publisher Kensington and to NetGalley for giving me an advance copy in exchange for my honest review.
Savannah is branching out from her stained glass classes and teaching bead making. Jacob, a high functioning autistic young man, has become her apprentice, coming along well with help from his mother and Savannah and his service dog, Suzy. At the end of class, Jacob sees one of their friends, Nicole, the bartender at the restaurant owned by Savannah finance, Edward, killed in a hit and run accident that is later ruled a homicide. Jacob is so traumatized by the event that he has become mute, blocking it all from his mind. The police, who are also friends of Savannah, ask for her expertise in the local art world in investigating the case. One of the threads in the case involves graffiti plus Nicole was a friend. From past experience they also know that Savannah will snoop on her own if not included.
There are many levels to this mystery - family relationships, Autism, Savannah's store manager, Amanda and her dealing with her mother now in hospice care, same sex marriage and family tensions over it - add to the fact that Savannah is going to marry Edward but has yet to set a date. Some of the story is serious but it is softened by two of my favorite characters, the Rosenberg twins, Faith and Rachel. Dressed head to toe in pink and decorated with flamingos, they are such a sweet pair of senior citizens even though Faith lights one of the torches before the class can start and sets her pink sweater on fire. Still, they have been a fixture from book one, about 5 years by their guess, never missing a single class. I can't wait to see what happens in the next book.
My thanks to the publisher Kensington and to NetGalley for giving me an advance copy in exchange for my honest review.
June 6, 2019
Down in Flames is the sixth book in Cheryl Hollon’s A Webb's Glass Shop Mystery series. The storyline is well plotted and flows at a steady pace, and the affable characters are well developed. Not only has the author written a solid mystery, but she also addresses several social issues, including same-sex marriage, autism, and dealing end of life hospice care and the loss of a loved one.
Savannah Webb owns Webb’s Glass Shop in St. Petersburg, Florida, the glass shop that her father owned before his death. Savannah is engaged to Edward Morris, the owner of Queen’s Head Pub. Amanda Blake, the shop’s assistant manager and part-time stained glass instructor, recently placed her mother in hospice and is going through a rough time. Savannah recently promoted Jacob Underwood, a high-functioning autistic teenager, who has the unique ability to analyze and decipher things, and a service dog named Suzy, to the position of journeyman in charge of Webb’s Studio. Savannah had just finished teaching her first flame-working glass bead making workshop when Jacob witnesses a hit and run accident in front of her shop. The accident traumatizes Jacob, rendering him speechless and causing him to experience memory loss. The victim, Nicole Borawski, was a bartender and manager of Queen’s Head Pub, who recently celebrated her one-year anniversary with her wife, Elizabeth Hartford. When what was initially thought of as a tragic accident turns out to be an intentional act with possible ties to the art community, Officer Joy Williams and Homicide Detective Parker use Savannah as a consultant. As Samantha investigates, she learns that Nicole had a secretive side that even those closest to her didn't know about.
I received an Advance Reader Copy of this book from NetGalley and voluntarily reviewed it.
Savannah Webb owns Webb’s Glass Shop in St. Petersburg, Florida, the glass shop that her father owned before his death. Savannah is engaged to Edward Morris, the owner of Queen’s Head Pub. Amanda Blake, the shop’s assistant manager and part-time stained glass instructor, recently placed her mother in hospice and is going through a rough time. Savannah recently promoted Jacob Underwood, a high-functioning autistic teenager, who has the unique ability to analyze and decipher things, and a service dog named Suzy, to the position of journeyman in charge of Webb’s Studio. Savannah had just finished teaching her first flame-working glass bead making workshop when Jacob witnesses a hit and run accident in front of her shop. The accident traumatizes Jacob, rendering him speechless and causing him to experience memory loss. The victim, Nicole Borawski, was a bartender and manager of Queen’s Head Pub, who recently celebrated her one-year anniversary with her wife, Elizabeth Hartford. When what was initially thought of as a tragic accident turns out to be an intentional act with possible ties to the art community, Officer Joy Williams and Homicide Detective Parker use Savannah as a consultant. As Samantha investigates, she learns that Nicole had a secretive side that even those closest to her didn't know about.
I received an Advance Reader Copy of this book from NetGalley and voluntarily reviewed it.
June 20, 2019
Down in Flames, the latest in Cheryl Hollon’s Webb’s Glass Shop series will be a hot commodity for cozy readers. The story begins on fire (literally) and the action intensifies from there. Savannah Webb’s flame-working class is interrupted when a hit-and-run accident occurs right outside her shop. The victim, Nicole Borowski, is an employee of the pub owned by Savannah’s boyfriend Edward. The only eyewitness to this crime is Jacob, Savannah’s assistant/apprentice, who happens to be autistic and mute, thereby unable to provide the police with a description. When the victim dies, Savannah and the local police are on the trail of a killer.
As with other books in this series, Down in Flames is a well-written, highly enjoyable journey through the world of glass making. The information presented is both fascinating and natural within the storyline. The cast of characters – Savannah, Edward, Jacob and the various students – are distinct and engaging. In addition to the mystery – which is reasonably suspenseful – the book touches on such social topics as graffiti, hospice decisions/care, and especially autism. The final reveal was a bit predictable, but the fun had along the way more than makes up for it.
All told, Down in Flames is wonderful addition to the series. It is full of warmth, humor and friendship – and provides the reader not only with an intriguing mystery, but also an educational and captivating look in to the glass-making business.
Note: I received an advance reader copy of Down in Flames from the Cozy Mystery Review Crew. The above is my honest review.
As with other books in this series, Down in Flames is a well-written, highly enjoyable journey through the world of glass making. The information presented is both fascinating and natural within the storyline. The cast of characters – Savannah, Edward, Jacob and the various students – are distinct and engaging. In addition to the mystery – which is reasonably suspenseful – the book touches on such social topics as graffiti, hospice decisions/care, and especially autism. The final reveal was a bit predictable, but the fun had along the way more than makes up for it.
All told, Down in Flames is wonderful addition to the series. It is full of warmth, humor and friendship – and provides the reader not only with an intriguing mystery, but also an educational and captivating look in to the glass-making business.
Note: I received an advance reader copy of Down in Flames from the Cozy Mystery Review Crew. The above is my honest review.
June 25, 2019
This is book 6 in a series, but it works well as a stand-alone; the author was new to me, and it’s very well-written. I enjoyed the story a lot, particularly the art aspects—the making of glass beads was particularly fascinating to me. The author obviously has vast experience in this area or has done extensive research; other books in the series deal with other procedures such as the creation of stained glass. This book also explored the art of graffiti/street art in an in educational and intriguing way. Cozy mysteries are sometimes a bit formulaic, but due primarily to the art of glassmaking as the protagonist’s profession, this one was more unique. The characters are well-developed and largely likable; in the back of the book there is a cast of characters as well as a glossary of glassmaking terms, and they would have been more helpful at the front of the book, but I actually didn’t need them, since the author addressed these well for someone not familiar with the previous books in the series. The mystery was pretty good, with some red herrings. The main character’s fiancé runs a restaurant and I wasn’t certain that the running of the restaurant was as realistic as it could have been—he seemed to be able to leave his restaurant with no real management at the drop of a hat as needed, but that might be nitpicking. The book was a fairly quick read, but substantial; it’s also at a higher reading level than a lot of cozies. The author does push various social issues pretty strongly, but it didn’t interfere with my enjoyment of the book. I will definitely go back and read the previous books in this series and highly recommend this book. I was provided a free ARC, but these opinions are my own.
June 25, 2019
Savannah Webb has just finished teaching a glass flameworking class at her place of business, Webb’s Glass shop, in St. Petersburg, Florida, when the unthinkable occurs. A hit-and-run driver plows into a friend outside the shop. The tragic event is witnessed by Savannah’s assistant, a high-functioning autistic teenager, who suffers from severe trauma afterward. Was it an accident or a deliberate act? Savannah starts asking questions and finds out that the incident might be connected with the urban art community. The police enlist Savannah’s help in their investigation. Does this put Savannah in the crosshairs of the guilty party?
I prefer the cast of characters at the beginning, not the end, of the book so I can familiarize myself with the characters before I read the story. The majority of the terms applicable to flameworking were explained in the story with more details in the glossary. I like the fact that Webb’s Glass Shop is inspired by a real-life business. Cheryl Hollon writes about flameworking from her own experiences in creating glass art. I find glass blowing fascinating, so featuring flameworking along with a mystery to be solved is a definite draw for me. However, this is not the only reason I liked this book. With skill and ease, Hollon incorporates sensitive topics into the storyline, such as autism, same-sex marriage, hospice care, and bereavement.
Down in Flames is the sixth installment in the Webb’s Glass Shop Mystery Series. It can be read as a stand-alone book, although I plan to read the rest of the books in the series and look forward to the next installment.
I prefer the cast of characters at the beginning, not the end, of the book so I can familiarize myself with the characters before I read the story. The majority of the terms applicable to flameworking were explained in the story with more details in the glossary. I like the fact that Webb’s Glass Shop is inspired by a real-life business. Cheryl Hollon writes about flameworking from her own experiences in creating glass art. I find glass blowing fascinating, so featuring flameworking along with a mystery to be solved is a definite draw for me. However, this is not the only reason I liked this book. With skill and ease, Hollon incorporates sensitive topics into the storyline, such as autism, same-sex marriage, hospice care, and bereavement.
Down in Flames is the sixth installment in the Webb’s Glass Shop Mystery Series. It can be read as a stand-alone book, although I plan to read the rest of the books in the series and look forward to the next installment.
June 25, 2019
I have been reading this series since the first book and really enjoy it. The characters get better and more deep with every book. I love Savannah, her hardworking attitude, and her love for the people around her. Watching Webb's Glass Shop grow and blossom has been a great addition to the series.
This time around Nicole, one of Edward's employees and Savannah's friend, is hit out in front of the store. At first it seems like a normal hit and run, but further investigation leads to the conclusion it was murder! Unfortunately, Jacob who is Savannah's friend and employee is the witness to the hit and run. He has Asperger's and has become a valuable member of her team. This hits him hard and renders him mute while he processes what happens. They need to figure out who hurt their friend and college, and soon.
This was a fast paced book. I don't think you have to be current on the series, as everything is explained well that happened before, but it does add even more depth to the book. It was definitely a page turner for me and kept me guessing until the end. I am looking forward to book 7! I was sent a book in the hopes I would review it, but all opinions are mine and mine alone.
This time around Nicole, one of Edward's employees and Savannah's friend, is hit out in front of the store. At first it seems like a normal hit and run, but further investigation leads to the conclusion it was murder! Unfortunately, Jacob who is Savannah's friend and employee is the witness to the hit and run. He has Asperger's and has become a valuable member of her team. This hits him hard and renders him mute while he processes what happens. They need to figure out who hurt their friend and college, and soon.
This was a fast paced book. I don't think you have to be current on the series, as everything is explained well that happened before, but it does add even more depth to the book. It was definitely a page turner for me and kept me guessing until the end. I am looking forward to book 7! I was sent a book in the hopes I would review it, but all opinions are mine and mine alone.
June 20, 2019
Savannah Webb is the owner of Webb’s Glass Shop, and sometimes consultant with the local police in St. Petersburg, FL. Savannah is teaching a flame-working glass class at her shop. After class one day though the bartender and manager at her boyfriend’s pub, Nicole Borawski, is struck by a car and killed. Savannah’s assistant, Jacob, who has Asperger’s syndrome is witness to the accident and as a result stops speaking. Savannah is thrown into the middle of the investigation because of all her connections to the people affected by Nicole’s death. She will have to keep her balance with work, friends and investigating, all while being short-handed at work and with her boyfriend needing extra help at his pub.
Cheryl Hollon does such a wonderful job of grabbing your interest from the start. It makes it hard to put the book down. I have only read the first book in this series, but it didn’t seem to matter because I was able to get right into the book without any problems. It is one that could be read stand alone if you haven’t read any of the series. I am going to go and read the remaining books in the series. The characters are all interesting and likeable. The intrigue of this story made it a delight to read. Reading about the classes makes me want to find a place to learn glass art. I would highly recommend this book to anyone that enjoys cozy mysteries and creative outlets.
Cheryl Hollon does such a wonderful job of grabbing your interest from the start. It makes it hard to put the book down. I have only read the first book in this series, but it didn’t seem to matter because I was able to get right into the book without any problems. It is one that could be read stand alone if you haven’t read any of the series. I am going to go and read the remaining books in the series. The characters are all interesting and likeable. The intrigue of this story made it a delight to read. Reading about the classes makes me want to find a place to learn glass art. I would highly recommend this book to anyone that enjoys cozy mysteries and creative outlets.
June 7, 2019
Down in Flames is the latest book in Cheryl Hollon's Webb Glass Shop Mystery series and I loved it! It's nice to see how Jacob is progressing at his apprenticeship for Webb's Studio. I feel a special closeness to his character as I am the mother of a high functioning autistic son. So, Jacob has a special place in my heart and in this book, I really felt a closeness to his mother as well. I know how traumatic little life things can be but, to see a hit and run murder like that would be a harrowing event for anyone. But especially for someone with special talents.
I've enjoyed this series from the very first book and I'm thrilled with this newest one. I'm glad that Savannah and Edward have set the date and look forward to the wedding! I read the blurb on the newest book and can't wait for it to be released!
I volunteered to read and review this book and received a free advanced reader's copy with which to do so.
I've enjoyed this series from the very first book and I'm thrilled with this newest one. I'm glad that Savannah and Edward have set the date and look forward to the wedding! I read the blurb on the newest book and can't wait for it to be released!
I volunteered to read and review this book and received a free advanced reader's copy with which to do so.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 4, 2019
Another wonderful installment in the Webb's Glass Shop Mysteries. Sydney has been able to expand her facilities and offerings at the shop. The new setups are barely installed in time for the newest class on making glass beads. The students are a mix of past students and new, but after the end of class a hit-and-run claims the life of her fianceé's restaurant manager. Sydney is able to use her art connections to consult in the police investigation. All in all, a fun mystery with extra sharply drawn characters, characters that have already become friends. I tore my way through this book, now I'm sad it's over. Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.
June 26, 2019
Down In Flames is the sixth book in the A Webb’s Glass Shop Mysteries series.
This is another wonderful trip to St. Petersburg Fl to visit with Samantha “Sam” Webb and learn to make glass beads. If you’re not familiar with working with glass, Ms. Hollon provides a glossary of terms for flameworking glass. She also provides several links to be able to actually see the process.
The class is flameworking has just ended and as the students are heading outdoors, screams and a commotion are heard. When Sam gets outdoors she sees a white car accelerating down the street and the body of Nicole Borawski bartender and manager of Queen’s Head that is owned by Sam’s boyfriend. Nicole is rushed to the hospital where she passes away. Edward, owner of the Queen’s Head is of course devastated and vow to bring the driver to justice. In addition to the hit and run, Sam’s apprentice Jacob, an autistic eighteen-year-old who had witnessed the accident has gone mute and is in shock and unable to communicate anything that he might have seen.
The police without any real proof otherwise are considering this just a terrible accident. As Sam begins to investigate she finds that somehow this is connected to someone in the graffiti community. Sam finally gathers enough facts to be able to show Detective Parker and policewoman, Joy Williams that it is in fact related to the artistic community and Sam is able to get a contract to investigate.
Most of the characters from previous books are back again. Yes, the Rosenberg sisters are back to provide a few chuckles. Also, a new character is introduced, Herbert Klug. Klug is one of the new students in the flameworking class proves to be such an adept student that Sam offers him a teaching position at Webb’s Glass.
This is another well written and told story with a great cast of believable and likable characters. There were plenty of twist and turns and red herrings that kept me guessing till the end.
I will be looking forward to reading the next book in this informative series.
This is another wonderful trip to St. Petersburg Fl to visit with Samantha “Sam” Webb and learn to make glass beads. If you’re not familiar with working with glass, Ms. Hollon provides a glossary of terms for flameworking glass. She also provides several links to be able to actually see the process.
The class is flameworking has just ended and as the students are heading outdoors, screams and a commotion are heard. When Sam gets outdoors she sees a white car accelerating down the street and the body of Nicole Borawski bartender and manager of Queen’s Head that is owned by Sam’s boyfriend. Nicole is rushed to the hospital where she passes away. Edward, owner of the Queen’s Head is of course devastated and vow to bring the driver to justice. In addition to the hit and run, Sam’s apprentice Jacob, an autistic eighteen-year-old who had witnessed the accident has gone mute and is in shock and unable to communicate anything that he might have seen.
The police without any real proof otherwise are considering this just a terrible accident. As Sam begins to investigate she finds that somehow this is connected to someone in the graffiti community. Sam finally gathers enough facts to be able to show Detective Parker and policewoman, Joy Williams that it is in fact related to the artistic community and Sam is able to get a contract to investigate.
Most of the characters from previous books are back again. Yes, the Rosenberg sisters are back to provide a few chuckles. Also, a new character is introduced, Herbert Klug. Klug is one of the new students in the flameworking class proves to be such an adept student that Sam offers him a teaching position at Webb’s Glass.
This is another well written and told story with a great cast of believable and likable characters. There were plenty of twist and turns and red herrings that kept me guessing till the end.
I will be looking forward to reading the next book in this informative series.
June 24, 2019
Down in Flames by Cheryl Hollon is the 6th book in A Webb's Glass Shop Mystery Series and another great read. I love this series. Savannah Webb owns the glass shop and her boyfriend Edward owns the Queen's Head Pub next door. When Edward's manager, Nicole, is killed in a hit and run right in front of the shop, Savannah is determined to find the truth. Once I started this book, I could not stop reading. The story and characters are very well developed, and the characters feels like friends I am catching up with. The author also makes glass making interesting and not too technical to stall the story. I love all the twists and turns in this cozy mystery, and look forward to the characters next adventure. Although you can read this book as a stand alone, I suggest you read all the books, they are all good. I highly recommend this book for cozy book lovers.
I reviewed a digital arc provided by NetGalley and Kensington Publishing. Thank you.
I reviewed a digital arc provided by NetGalley and Kensington Publishing. Thank you.
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