Books Movies & Music / Fiction Books / Mourning in Miniature by Margaret Grace

I was very interested in reading this book when I happened upon it on a book shelf.  It deals with a retired schoolteacher who is into making miniatures for room boxes and dollhouses.  I used to do miniatures myself before I moved out of my hometown and got married.  I put my hobby on the back burner since marriage, but my interest in it remains, and I hope to return to this hobby someday.

Anyway, Mourning in Miniature is about Geraldine (Gerry) Porter, a retired schoolteacher who now teaches a crafts class and has the hobby of creating miniature scenes and making room boxes and dollhouses.  In this novel, she goes on a thirty year reunion with her friend and former student, Rosie Norman, and Geraldine's 11 year old granddaughter, Maddie.  A gentleman who humiliated Rosie in high school, David Bridges, has now been sending her presents, and Rosie is hopeful that a romance will bloom between her and David.  Rosie has always liked David and was devastated by his behavior in high school.

When David is murdered, beaten by one of his own trophies, Rosie is the prime suspect.  It seems that David was not the one sending her presents, and Rosie was again humiliated by this gentleman. 

Gerry tries to clear her friend's name by delving into this murder.  With help from the very intelligent Maddie, Gerry starts investigating and searching out whatever information she can.  Miniature-making is mentioned in various parts of the book, and in the back of the book are some tips on how to create some everyday objects in small-scale.

Since I like the miniature hobby so much, I found this book to be very interesting.  I am definitely going to read the remaining four novels which I believe comprise this series.  Margaret Grace is a good author who succeeded in holding my interest with an enjoyable plot containing some very likable characters.  I would recommend this book to anyone who is interested in a cozy mystery, especially if you like miniatures.