Murder in Miniature

Camille Minichino, who also writes as "Margaret Grace," very kindly sent me a copy of her book, Murder in Miniature.

It's a good cozy mystery, the first in a series featuring Gerry Porter, a 58-year-old widow and resident of Lincoln Point, California. Gerry's hobby is miniatures - both making and selling them. With the help of her sister-in-law Beverly, her nephew Chris (a police officer), and her granddaughter Maddie, Gerry solves two murders.

As I read I learned a lot about dollhouse miniatures that was interesting. Gerry doesn't usually work from kits to make her miniature furniture and accessories. Instead, she takes small items commonly used and makes candles, plates, drawer pulls, lampshades, picture frames, shower curtains, etc.

Even more fascinating was that I learned about Eichler homes. Gerry lives in an Eichler home and parts of it (especially the central atrium) are described fondly and in great detail. I had to put the book down and go research Eichler!

The mystery was good and complex enough to keep me guessing, and I loved learning about miniatures and Eichler.

I bought the second book in the series and the third will be out in February. I'm looking forward to reading both!