A Murderous Glaze by Melissa Glazer

Refreshing series!by TheBookResort

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June 27, 2009: A Murderous Glaze is the first in the new Clay and Crime Mystery series & to add extra fun includes clay-crafting tips. How cool is that?

Fall is w/o a doubt my favorite season. Vermont Autumn = HEAVEN!!!

A Murderous Glaze was a charming & entertaining read. The cozy atmosphere was spot on.

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

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

Trust me, I need a one-on-one class when I attempt to mash make a clay project @ Fire At Will. I mean, I want to hang out w/ the Firing Squad & have all the delicious treats & yummy beverages the Firing Squad brings to their sessions... I don't want to be banned from all the fun.

I love my mysteries w/ a theme or craft ~ especially since I'm craft~challenged. Yes, it is true. I can make the simplest of crafts look like dreck! My stick figure resembles a snake. Yet, I can draw Marc Brown's Arthur. Go figure.

Melissa Glazer gives me my craft fix. I loved learning about the craft. I recommend this series for lover's of cozies, themed-cozies, fun cozies & a darn good relaxing read.

Carolyn Emerson is a fiftyish protagonist that is filled to the brim w/ vivaciousness.

Carolyn's assistant David simply steals the show. He is an absolute standout!!! David needs a series of his own. *Hint ~ Hint* Melissa.

Hannah, David's mom & Carolyn's best friend, is a cheerful, lovely welcome addition. Hannah's presence adds to the story.

Carolyn's husband Bill is an extremely well written character. He has a voice of his own & isn't just Carolyn's hubby for aesthetics. Kudos, to Melissa Glazer for the interesting talent Bill carves out for himself.

I love the premise of a a pottery based mystery. Refreshing!

A Murderous Glaze is a fast-paced, engaging cozy w/ some twists & turns to keep you guessing.

Carolyn Emerson definitely makes a pleasurable sleuth.

A Murderous Glaze is just the start of a fascinating series. An amusing read!

Hurry... go pick up a copy of A Murderous Glaze!!!

I Also Recommend: The Cracked Pot, A Fatal Slip, This Pen for Hire, Candy Cane Murder (Hannah Swensen Series), A Slice of Murder.

Indian summer that ends with murderby Kasia_S

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October 27, 2008: I find it hilarious how any hobby or occupation can yield a mystery series but sometimes it adds a certain charm. I love arts and crafts, Vermont in the fall, or fall in general is my favorite season and this series embodies all my little favorite things into one. Murderous Glaze was a good effort for beginning of a new series, I have to admit it didn't take my breath away from the beginning, I had to warm up to it, but once I had proper time to sit down and read it I enjoyed it and couldn't wait to finish.

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

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

- Kasia S.