To discover this novel was written by Sheila Connolly, a favorite cozy mystery author using the pseudonym of Sarah Atwell was a "double delight" as I have been fascinated with glassblowing since I was a young child. The novel can be read as a stand-alone but to thoroughly enjoy the progression of Glassblower Emmeline Dowell's business and the growth of all of the characters in their daily lives, I highly recommend reading this series in order.

In the beginning of the book in the "Acknowledgments" Sheila Connolly (aka Sarah Atwell) shares that she was formerly a medieval art historian and previously talked about the history of stained glass and named one of her characters after the college professor that first introduced her to the "glories of medieval glass." At the end of the novel, there is "A Brief History of Stained Glass" which was fascinating to read. As in reading a legal thriller written by a lawyer (e.g. Scott Turow) or a thriller written by a former pilot (e.g. Chris Stewart) or spy (e.g. John le Carre) there is credibility and experience to the writing that no amount of Googling or research can match.

There is one scene near the end of the novel that brought laughter as it was rather inventive using the "material" at hand and also a scene that is highly improbable even for a "strong" glassblower but it does not detract from the reading pleasure of this cozy mystery.

Readers that delight in discovering recipes at the end of cozy mysteries will appreciate the offering of "Em's Foolproof Slow-Cooker Chicken Chili." There is also the special recipe surprise of "Stained Glass Cookies" which could not only be a new all-year round family favorite but could become a special treat for children to help make during Vacation Bible School or as a youth group's gift to shut-ins at Christmas or as a festive treat after an Advent service. ( )

I really liked the earlier book in this series. In this one I was often frustrated at the main character (Em) because she is insulted and hurt at being shut out of a police/FBI investigation. Just because you are intimately involved with the police chief doesn't mean that you automatically get included in all aspects of the investigation. I kept wanting to tell her to grow up and get real.

Em is approached by another local who works glass about working on a project with a local multi-millionaire who collects stained glass windows. Em agrees to help and enjoys the time with Peter trying to determine the best way to display his windows. Em isn't as impressed with Maddy, her "partner" but puts up with her to work with Peter and his glass.

When Peter is found dead, by Em, and the glass is missing the chase is one to determine who killed Peter and who has the glass, as well as where they are hiding the windows.

Em's brother Cameron gets involved in the FBI search for the art and makes a nice sideline story.

I'll read the next in the series but I'm hoping that there is less "poor me, I'm being left out". ( )

Interesting plot, but sappy