OK, so this book published in 2015 and I admit I'm coming late to the party, but I've made this New Year's resolution to read more than a book a week, and this was a zippy read — that involved the Queen's Head, the Grand Central District Association and local artists (no real local artists, save the author).
That kinda explains why I picked this book. Anything set in Florida — much less St. Pete or Gulfport — will immediately ratchet up to the top of my "want to read" list. And I truly enjoyed Cheryl Hollon's Pane and Suffering, even if it has some rough spots.
It's a cozy mystery — by the time we learn the murderer's identity, it's not exactly a shock — with a hint of romance.
So let's start with me telling you that if you like cozy mysteries, fiction about the 'Burg, or light romances — really, really light romances — you're gonna devour Pane and Suffering. I did. As in, I stayed up four hours past my bedtime to finish it (yes, I have a bedtime — I get up shortly after 4 a.m.; this book kept me up past 1 a.m., which should tell you something).
I'll also say that the writing has some rough spots — and, given the 2015 publishing date and more in the series that follow, I'm optimistic Hollon's worked through them. Also, those patches didn't stop me from reading. The dialogue is too real — we don't need the entire conversation all the time — and the explanation of making stained glass absolutely lost me — not that it didn't make me want to take classes. It's simply too technical and verbose, but also, the plot is strong and the setting — well, the setting is the GCDA and who doesn't love that?
Basically, you decide if you want to read this book. It's not perfect, but it was worth my time — and I'm anxious to read the next in the Webb series to see how Hollon's writing evolves. I'll read the rest and report back, but hey, don't wait for me — go ahead and get a copy yourself. I know Haslam's carries them, 'cause that's where I bought mine.
Cathy Salustri is the arts & entertainment editor for Creative Loafing Tampa. Follow her adventures at greatfloridaroadtrip.com, on Twitter, or on Facebook. She also has a personal website and an Instagram, which has mostly pictures of her dogs. Her book about a month-long road trip across Florida's backroads, Backroads of Paradise, is available at big box stores and online, but she'd prefer you buy it from a local bookseller. Email her here.
This article appears in Dec 28, 2017 – Jan 4, 2018.