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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Release Date: Jun 25, 2019
Series: Webb\’s Glass Shop
Book: 6
Publisher: Kensington
Price: $5.99
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 liked Down in Flames so much, I will be seeking out additional books in this series.
~ Christine
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