The Recommended Cheryl Hollon Reading Path
Cheryl Hollon is celebrated in the cozy mystery genre for her richly detailed settings and unique artistic themes. Readers looking to dive into her work have a straightforward journey. Because she has written two distinct, self-contained series that do not cross over, you can choose where to begin based on your setting and craft preferences.
If you prefer coastal vibes, stained-glass artistry, and a long-running mystery with deep community roots, start with the Webb's Glass Shop Mystery Series, beginning with Pane and Suffering. If you prefer the rugged beauty of the Appalachian mountains, outdoor adventures, painting, and craft moonshine, start with the Paint & Shine Mystery Series, beginning with Still Knife Painting.
For both series, it is highly recommended to read the books in their official publication order. While the individual mystery puzzles are resolved at the end of each book, the personal relationships, business developments, and character arcs of the protagonists evolve significantly from one installment to the next.
Webb's Glass Shop Mystery Series in Order
Set in the sun-drenched city of St. Petersburg, Florida, this series follows Savannah Webb. After the sudden death of her father, Savannah leaves her corporate career to take over the family's beloved stained glass shop. As she learns the intricate trade of glassmaking, she frequently finds herself piecing together clues to solve local murders. The series should be read in publication order:
- Pane and Suffering (2015): Savannah Webb returns to Florida to settle her father's estate and find out who killed him, all while trying to keep his stained glass shop afloat. She must master the craft quickly to spot the cracks in the suspects' alibis.
- Shards of Murder (2016): Webb's Glass Shop hosts a prestigious stained glass workshop led by a renowned expert. When a participant is found dead, Savannah must look through the glass to find a killer hiding in plain sight.
- Cracked to Death (2016): A high-stakes scavenger hunt featuring a rare, valuable glass artifact turns deadly. Savannah has to crack the clues before she becomes the next target.
- Etched in Tears (2017): Savannah takes on a major custom commission for a wealthy client, but the project is shattered when a local glass artist is murdered, exposing secrets in the local art community.
- Shattered at Sea (2018): Savannah takes her skills on a Mediterranean cruise to conduct glassblowing demonstrations, but a suspicious death on board forces her to investigate on the high seas.
- Down in Flames (2019): When a devastating fire destroys a historic local building and claims a life, Savannah is drawn into a complex web of arson and betrayal that hits too close to home.
Paint & Shine Mystery Series in Order
Moving from the coast to the mountains, this series introduces Miranda Trent, who returns to her Appalachian roots in Red River Gorge, Kentucky. She starts a unique tourism business called Paint & Shine, combining outdoor landscape painting classes with local moonshine tastings. The series is complete and should be read in this order:
- Still Knife Painting (2020): Miranda Trent is determined to make her new venture a success in the Daniel Boone National Forest. However, the discovery of a body on her trail threatens to ruin her business before it even starts.
- Draw and Order (2021): During a tour, Miranda's group stumbles upon human skeletal remains. When the bones are identified as belonging to her missing cousin, Miranda is forced to dig up family secrets.
- Death a Sketch (2022): A local land dispute over access to scenic mountain trails turns deadly. Miranda must sketch out the clues to identify the murderer before her business is permanently shut down.
What to Know Before You Start
Before you pick up your first Cheryl Hollon novel, it is helpful to understand the unique elements that define her storytelling style:
- Authentic Craft Focus: Hollon does not just use glassmaking and painting as background fluff; she is an active glass artist who runs a studio with her husband. The technical details of stained glass creation, glassblowing, and painting techniques are highly accurate and central to the plots.
- No Graphic Violence: In keeping with the cozy mystery tradition, these books focus on puzzles, characters, and settings rather than graphic descriptions of violence or profanity, making them excellent, comforting reads.
- Strong Sense of Place: St. Petersburg and the Daniel Boone National Forest are painted as active characters in the books, offering readers a wonderful sense of escapism.