The Cracked Pot (Clay and Crime Mysteries, No. 2)

Good story and characters. Some humor. Plot moves right along. I look forward to book 3.

I found myself back in charming Maple Ridge faster than expected, the second book in the Clay and Crime series was even more fun than the first. Carolyn Emerson and her zany gang of pottery fanatics have enchanted me enough to be anticipating the 3rd book in the series out in November, but if that book was in my lap today I would probably be cracking it open in no time. After meeting most of the original characters from the first book, minus the killer that was unveiled in it, I got right back into Carolyn's life, full of ups and downs as usual. Trying to stay in business with finicky customers, surprise visits from people from her past and finding yet another body, Carolyn has her hands fuller than before. Not only she feels obligated to solve another gristly death but two of her friends, David and Hannah are somehow connected and she has to decide whether to stand by them or forget all loyalties and solve the crime without emotional attachment. Summer approaching the small Vermont town brings in some new faces into the neighborhood and catches up nicely to the ones I missed and met before and as usual has plenty of fun pottery woven into the story. Carolyn and her husband Bill are as sweet as every, and even though the bicker I enjoy their tight camaraderie and all the food everyone is always eating in this book. This was a very fast read, can probably be swallowed up in one day. Also I have to agree with the review below mine that Carolyn was meddling into everyone life and checking out their alibis but at least they told her off properly and created little drama, it was entertaining, so it didn't discourage me from enjoying this book. Most cozy mysteries have a heroine that does more work and snooping than all the cops in the book, otherwise it would not be a cozy mystery but a dry crime novel. - Kasia S.

The Firing Squad is at it again. This is another wacky murder mystery featuring the gang at Fire at Will. A good read for those who enjoy humor with their mystery.

This is definitely one of my favorite cozy series! Somehow Carolyn has found herself in the middle of another murder investigation. This time it's someone that she knows, but that no one is happy to see. Carolyn is very lucky to have such a great group of friend in the "Firing Squad". Friends that have no trouble snooping to help her solve the murder. And poor Bill continues to worry about Carolyn and the trouble she seems to find. Ms. Glazer makes her characters friends you'd like to have as your own. I'm looking forward to the next book in the series - A Fatal Slip.

If possible, I'd give the second Clay and Crime Mystery, The Cracked Pot, four-and-a-half stars. Melissa Glazer, a.k.a. Tim Myers, uses this newest installment to better define the main characters and flesh out their personalities. Carolyn Emerson is as cranky as ever in this arts and crafts cozy, but the reader gets a much better look at her softer side as she looks after her better half, Bill, and also tries to protect her best-friend's son on several different fronts. While she is certainly abrasive, Carolyn also has several endearing qualities, not the least of which is her strong sense of right and wrong. She knows full well what it's like to be wrongfully accused and will take whatever measures necessary to see that mistakes are made right. Now that she doesn't suspect the sheriff of foul play, their relationship, while still strained, is one of grudging mutual respect and is much more believable. This particular mystery revolves around a renowned potter who disappears on his way to Carolyn's pottery shop, Fire at Will. As it turns out, this isn't the first time this particular individual has disappeared from Maple Ridge. Carolyn and her assistant, David, are ill prepared for what happens next. After a dead body is discovered, Carolyn finds out where more than a few of the townsfolk's skeletons are buried - and she is inundated with advice to let sleeping dogs lie. With her contrary nature, however, such advice only serves to strengthen her resolve to solve the mystery - which she does, with a lot of help from her friends. All in all, this is an enjoyable cozy with an interesting group of main characters that I'm sure we'll learn more about as the series progresses. The clay tips at the end are a welcome bonus. I'll definitely be on the lookout for the next book in this series! I do have one small complaint - which actually has nothing to do with the author. I dislike all typos, but a typo on the back cover is an egregious mistake. I hope it's fixed prior to further printing. Carol Ann Hopkins 5/18/2008