I use St. Petersburg, Florida, as the setting of the Webb's Glass Shop
Mysteries. I've lived here for more than forty years now and am considered
to be βnearly native.' Some readers have mentioned that the setting comes across
as a character β exactly what I strive to accomplish.
However, just like an individual, the city is undergoing change and growth as
our city embraces it's Florida quirky. For example, about ten years ago, the
city exploded in two distinctive areas: craft beer brewing and vibrant outdoor
murals. The city has struggled at times with accommodating these emerging
cultural changes.
At last count, there were more than 30 breweries in the county that create beers
suited to the climate and culture. The St. Pete/Clearwater Craft Beer Trail (aka
the "Gulp Coast") runs from Tarpon Springs to St. Petersburg, which is an hour's
drive, end to end. The area's signature craft beer is named Florida Weisse, a
Berliner Weisse-style beer (tart, low-alcohol, highly carbonated) given a unique
spin by local brewers during the fermentation process through the addition of
fresh fruits like key lime, raspberry, mango, dragon fruit, pineapple and
passion fruit. My favorite local brews are the Beach Blonde Ale at 3 Daughters
Brewing and the Skyway Wheat at Green Bench Brewing.
The murals on commercial buildings began to appear quite a while ago, but it
launched into an art even when the first SHINE Festival kicked off in 2014.
Viewed as equal parts Art in Public Places, funky plein air demo and city
beautification projectβ it is a prestigious stop for an
intertwining, international network of mural artists. SHINE (and St. Petersburg)
have become a go-to destination for insanely talented paint-slingers who like to
make their statements bold and big. The curated works of art add an
idiosyncratic flavor to an already peculiar city.
Like a beloved character in a long running series, St. Pete is still growing and
changing culturally. The latest is an explosion of museums including the
world-famous Dali Museum on the waterfront. My personal favorite is Chihuly
Museum as the centerpiece for a thriving local glass art industry.
When a famous glass artist is murdered at his own exhibit, deadly secrets
are put on display, and it's up to glass shop owner Savannah Webb to see through
a killer's cover.
Celebrated glass artist Dennis Lansing is returning to St. Petersburg,
Florida, for an exhibit at the world-renowned Salvador Dali Museum. His unique
style of embedding document images in his art is at the vanguard of contemporary
glasswork. But as Savannah's first boyfriend and a former apprentice to her
father, Dennis's return home has her reflecting on the pastβa trip down memory
lane that takes a dark turn when Dennis is found murdered at the museum with an
old reference letter from her father in his pocket. A search through her
father's records sheds new light on Dennis's history, but it seems his present
life wasn't so transparent either. Now, with a gallery of suspects to consider,
it's up to Savannah to figure out who fits the mold of a murderer.
Mystery Cozy
[Kensington, On Sale: November 28, 2017, Mass Market
Paperback / e-Book, ISBN: 9781496711755 / eISBN: 9781496711762]
Cheryl Hollon writes full time after she left an engineering career designing
and building military flight simulators in amazing countries such as England,
Wales, Australia, Singapore, Taiwan and India. Fulfilling the dream of a
lifetime, she combines her love of writing with a passion for creating glass
art. In the small glass studio behind the house, Cheryl and her husband George
design, create, and produce fused glass, stained glass and painted glass
artworks.
Sign up for my newsletter at my Website, follow me on Facebook and
Twitter. I blog on the 24th of each month at http://www.killercharacters.com/
My favorite location is Southeastern Alaska---the scenery is gorgeous. (Sue Farrell 1:54pm November 28, 2017)
I am not much of a traveler. I would like to visit more of Canada. (Gloria Browning 3:22pm November 28, 2017)
A lot depends on the book itself, but if I were writing a book, I would probably set it on a tropical island, maybe in Hawaii or in the Caribbean. (Edward Washington 8:23pm November 28, 2017)
What is my favorite location of all locations? Maybe Paris--although I've never been there. St. Petersburg, Florida, does sound pretty surreal, though! (John Smith 10:13pm November 28, 2017)
Charleston, South Carololina (MaryEllen Hanneman 1:39pm November 29, 2017)
Singapore for the food, markets, mix of ethnic cultures and the cleanliness. (G. Bisbjerg 2:54pm November 29, 2017)
My favorite location is wherever my sons and grandsons are, so right now that's right where we are--SE Michigan. It's cold, but it's beautiful! (Kara Marks 9:30pm November 29, 2017)
Camping in the mountains! (Amber Mancebo 1:28am November 30, 2017)
I like small town settings. (Jill Broussard 9:41pm November 30, 2017)
My favorite location is Manitou Springs, Colorado. (Allyson Becker 10:37pm November 30, 2017)
My favorite location is Ft. Myers Beach, FL, but I also love San Francisco, CA There is mountains on one side and the ocean on the other side, and no freezing winters. (Jen Frederick 11:22pm November 30, 2017)
My favorite location is Savannah, Georgia. I love the history and mystery of the city. It has old fashioned southern charm and a great art school.
amy ajkincade14@gmail.com (Amy Kincade 11:34pm November 30, 2017)
Cleveland, Ohio. Depending on the poll, either the best or the worst place to live. But I love it. (Anna Budziak 12:24pm December 1, 2017)
My favorite location is any place with mountains. (Anna Speed 12:24pm December 1, 2017)
The murals on commercial buildings began to appear quite a while ago, but it
launched into an art even when the first SHINE Festival kicked off in 2014.
Viewed as equal parts Art in Public Places, funky plein air demo and city
beautification project β it is a prestigious stop for an
intertwining, international network of mural artists. SHINE (and St. Petersburg)
have become a go-to destination for insanely talented paint-slingers who like to
make their statements bold and big. The curated works of art add an
idiosyncratic flavor to an already peculiar city.
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