Savannah Webb takes over her father's stained glass store and workshop in Florida after his untimely death from a heart attack. The store gave lessons in glass art, and she hopes to follow in her father's footsteps, having qualified in the craft. But her store's competitor comes to make her an offer. Savannah believes there's room for two of them, repairing old stained glass, giving lessons and selling crafted pieces. Frank Latimer disagrees.

Savannah is engaged with teaching her first class - and doctoring the inevitable cuts - when an apprentice finds her uncle Hugh dead. Can it be coincidence that her father's business partner has died? Does Jacob, the apprentice with Aspergers, know any more than he's telling? What about the over-friendly pub landlord Edward? Savannah has been living in Seattle and intends to return, but she needs to salvage the business until she sorts out if it's worth selling - to Frank Latimer or anyone else.

The craft of stained glass certainly caught my eye and there is a fair amount of instruction and loving detail about tin, lead and copper solders as well as glass. In a wry twist, there's a hint of THE DA VINCI CODE as well. A glass replica of the famous painting of The Last Supper is being restored, and Savannah's cagey father left her a coded message warning that he was afraid of being killed. Now, the lady turns amateur sleuth in earnest.

I thoroughly enjoyed Jacob and his service dog, Suzy. The work of a glass artist is strenuous so Savannah is strong, and she takes us geocaching. There is plenty of variety and not just workbenches in the lively story by Cheryl Hollon. The atmosphere is convivial among local, brightly dressed shop owners while an officious police officer is as annoying as it's possible to get. Luckily, a detective has his wits about him. I also appreciate that our protagonist experiences real grief over the deaths so the departed family members are not just a simple device. I really cared about the outcome of PANE AND SUFFERING, and I'm sure you will too.

Book Summary