Sarah Atwell, Writer

The Glassblower Series

"Atwell's breezy debut fires something unusual in the furnace of low-key Tucson glass blower Emmeline (Em) Dowell, just after she befriends a fragile-looking redhead named Allison McBride. As Em attempts to figure out who plunged a man's head into the 2,000-degree furnace of her studio—and who the victim was—she's forced to resurrect a long-dead acquaintance with ex-lover police chief Matt Lundgren. When she's not busy making and selling art glass and hanging with Allison, Em is dodging surly strangers and trying to figure out why the FBI is so interested in the case. Em is likable; the mystery is satisfactory; and an introduction to glass-blowing techniques and lingo (plus a recipe for Em's specialty, mac & cheese with hotdogs) keep things light."

Romantic Times (April 2008): ««««

"Filled with fascinating details about glassblowing and sympathetic characters, this book flies by. The mystery is hard to figure out, and the secondary characters are not all good or all bad, they're a realistic combination. The Tucson setting is vivid and well used.

Summary: Glassblower Emmeline Dowell is always taking care of underdogs, so when Allison McBride, a clearly frightened young woman, comes to her shop, she can't resist trying to help her by trading shop work for lessons. That night when a man discovered dead in Em's shop – his head in the glass furnace – turns out to be the abusive husband Allison's been hiding from, Em has to give more help.

The murder brings Em back in contact with an old lover, the chief of police. Together they work to save Allison and solve the mystery."
 

Through a Glass, Deadly