Madness in Miniature

April 14, 2014
Even this cozy series' longtime fans may find that miniaturist and retired teacher Geraldine "Gerry" Porter's seventh outing (after 2012's Mix-up in Miniature) lacks some of its predecessors' charm. Summer in the Northern California town of Lincoln Point has already been disturbed by the imminent grand opening of crafting superstore SuperKrafts, before being shaken by an earthquake and by the murder of SuperKrafts executive Craig Palmer III. Gerry has inside knowledge of the case thanks to her nephew, LPPD detective Skip, and her position as community liaison to SuperKrafts. With help from Maddie, her 11-year-old granddaughter, Gerry looks into such suspects as local ceramics store owner Bebe Mellon and local-made-good Catherine Duncan, a SuperKrafts representative. Grace also explores developments in Gerry's family, including an upcoming wedding and a tween-age crisis for Maddie. However, the likable characters and setting don't fully compensate for the slight, repetitive mystery plot.

April 1, 2014

Summer gets lively when Gerry and her granddaughter Maddie deal with another murder, this one coupled with an untimely earthquake. Grace's seventh cozy entry (after Mix-up in Miniature) combines a love of miniatures with traditional sleuthing. Pseudonym for retired physicist Camille Minichino, who pens two other series.

Copyright 2014 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.