Shards of Murder

Happy Leap Day!  Leap Day occurs only once every four years. I hope that the people born on this day get very special birthdays!  I have two interesting historical tidbits today!  In 1940 Hattie McDaniel (Gone with the Wind) became the first African-American to win an Oscar (for Best Supporting Actress as Mammy).  In Salem, Massachusetts the first people were accused of witchcraft on this day in 1692.  The women accused were Sarah Goode, Sarah Osborne, and Tituba (the West Indian slave).  

Shards of Murder by Cheryl Hollon is the second book in A Webb's Glass Shop Mystery.  Savannah Webb has been to be a judge at the Spinnaker Art Festival (glass category, of course).  It is an honor to picked.  Savannah is a little nervous as this is her first time judging a competition.  Her former mentor (and teacher), Keith Irving is in town.  Keith has two students entered into the competition (Megan Loyola and Leon Price).  When the winner does not arrive at the award ceremony the next day, Savannah goes looking for her.  Savannah finds an empty booth.  However, when Savannah is out walking Rooney (her Weimaraner puppy) she discovers a body in the water (in Tampa Bay) with a shard of glass in her head.  Someone wanted this person dead.  Savannah is the last person to see the victim alive (which means she is a suspect).  Savannah and her posse gather together to find the killer (and the motive behind the killing).  Will Savannah be able to find the killer before she ends up in the bay.

Shards of Murder was a cute and fun story to read.  I like the characters and the setting as well as the beautiful descriptions of the glass work (especially at the festival).  I especially like learning about different methods of working with glass (this time about fusing glass which I find fascinating).  The mystery was extremely easy to solve (I guessed it immediately), but I liked the authors misdirection and clues that were provided.  I give Shards of Murder 4 out of 5 stars (I liked it).  Shards of Murder can be read alone (without reading the first book in the series).  I found Shards of Murder to be just as good as the first book in A Webb’s Glass Shop Mystery, and I cannot wait to read the next book in this series.

The first book in A Webb's Glass Shop Mystery is Pane and Suffering.  The next book in the series is Cracked to Death.  It is scheduled for release on June 28, 2016.  You can follow Cheryl Hollon on Amazon to get updates on her latest releases.  Ms. Hollon is also on Facebook.  I received a complimentary copy of Shards of Murder from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I am off to the grocery store (out of dog treats and bones).  I am currently reading Kernel of Truth by Kristi Abbott (first book in a new cozy mystery series).  I hope everyone has a magnificent Monday! Take care and Happy Reading!

Kris
The Avid Reader

P.S.--Remember it is the last day to enter my Room for Hope giveaway!  Leave a comment with your email address (so I can contact you) or send me an email with your information (to Doodlesink@hotmail.com).  Contest ends tonight at midnight! You must have a valid mailing address (no P.O. Boxes--sorry) in the United States or Canada.  Good luck!