Book Review: Murderous Glaze

Author: Melissa Glazer
Title:Murderous Glaze
Publisher: Berkley
Publish Date: Nov 6, 2007
Buy: Amazon

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

Includes directions for a pottery project!

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

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


Review: This is the first book in the Clay and Crime series and I found it really delightful. I love how cozy mysteries seem to take shape around arts/crafts/baking these days.

Carolyn Emerson is a middle aged lady who runs a pottery shop. Who would have thought she's find a body in that shop one night! Oh and who would have thought she'd be the prime suspect!

Carolyn is super spunky and on occasion a little bit obnoxious, but in a good way, especially since she has to get her name cleared, or her business, Fire At Will, will be in the crapper! She's a little bit brash and not afraid to tell it like it is. Sometimes I felt a little sorry for her husband, Bill, who seemed to be steamrollered by her sometimes.

Things I liked about the story:

1. I loved learning a bit more about making pottery. If I were going to throw a pot..well, you'd hear a loud crash!

2. Carolyn wasn't the best sleuth and clues didn't fall into her lap.

3. Never guessed who did it.

4. A fun and funny cast of characters. I really enjoyed the different personalities both of the Firing Squad and the shop owners.

Things I wasn't so thrilled with:

1. Carolyn was a bit obnoxious. It took awhile to warm up to her character.

2. I was kind of surprised that since she was a prime suspect, she was never thoroughly questioned, and there was never any other suspects mentioned by the police.

All in all, this was a cute read. There are a few more in this series that I'm going to have to get, just so I can see how the characters are coming along.

Rating: 4 flowers