Glass and Ghosts
(2025)(The fifth book in the Sparkling Mysteries series)
A novel by Vera Langley and Maisy Marple
Some secrets are hidden in plain sight''
When a priceless antique mirror is discovered shattered during Seabreeze Cove's first Glass Art Festival, jeweler Poppy Goldstein finds herself reluctantly drawn into another small-town mystery. The shattered "Mariner's Mirror"—a legendary blue glass piece rumored to be haunted by its creator—wasn't just vandalized; it was broken in a peculiar pattern, with certain fragments mysteriously missing.
All Poppy wants is to focus on her jewelry business and enjoy the festival, but her African Grey parrot, Detective Sherlock, has other ideas. His insistent warnings of "Ghost! Not right!" can't be ignored—especially when Poppy discovers the mirror's blue glass contains nearly invisible etchings only visible at certain angles.
As visiting glass artists begin behaving suspiciously, Poppy must untangle a web of historical secrets, family legacies, and cutting-edge technology. Why are restoration specialist Andrea Hayes and renowned artist Veronica Blake arguing about "markings" on the glass? What is abstract sculptor Dominic Foster really doing in his studio at night? And why has the Harbor Inn's maintenance manager been fielding unusual questions about the town's electrical system?
With the help of her friends—gemologist Marcus Webb, Sheriff Jim Thompson, and baker Tilly Williams—Poppy discovers the mirror contains more than just beautiful craftsmanship. Hidden within its harbor blue glass lies a scientific innovation a century ahead of its time—one valuable enough to steal, kill for, or protect at all costs.
As the festival continues around her, Poppy races to decipher the mirror's secrets before more pieces disappear... or before she becomes the next target in a high-stakes game where corporate espionage meets small-town deception.
Return to charming Seabreeze Cove in this delightful fifth installment of Leslie Martin's popular cozy mystery series, where historical artifacts have a way of revealing their secrets to those who know where to look—and where an opinionated parrot might just be the best detective in town.
Genre: Cozy Mystery
When a priceless antique mirror is discovered shattered during Seabreeze Cove's first Glass Art Festival, jeweler Poppy Goldstein finds herself reluctantly drawn into another small-town mystery. The shattered "Mariner's Mirror"—a legendary blue glass piece rumored to be haunted by its creator—wasn't just vandalized; it was broken in a peculiar pattern, with certain fragments mysteriously missing.
All Poppy wants is to focus on her jewelry business and enjoy the festival, but her African Grey parrot, Detective Sherlock, has other ideas. His insistent warnings of "Ghost! Not right!" can't be ignored—especially when Poppy discovers the mirror's blue glass contains nearly invisible etchings only visible at certain angles.
As visiting glass artists begin behaving suspiciously, Poppy must untangle a web of historical secrets, family legacies, and cutting-edge technology. Why are restoration specialist Andrea Hayes and renowned artist Veronica Blake arguing about "markings" on the glass? What is abstract sculptor Dominic Foster really doing in his studio at night? And why has the Harbor Inn's maintenance manager been fielding unusual questions about the town's electrical system?
With the help of her friends—gemologist Marcus Webb, Sheriff Jim Thompson, and baker Tilly Williams—Poppy discovers the mirror contains more than just beautiful craftsmanship. Hidden within its harbor blue glass lies a scientific innovation a century ahead of its time—one valuable enough to steal, kill for, or protect at all costs.
As the festival continues around her, Poppy races to decipher the mirror's secrets before more pieces disappear... or before she becomes the next target in a high-stakes game where corporate espionage meets small-town deception.
Return to charming Seabreeze Cove in this delightful fifth installment of Leslie Martin's popular cozy mystery series, where historical artifacts have a way of revealing their secrets to those who know where to look—and where an opinionated parrot might just be the best detective in town.
Genre: Cozy Mystery
Used availability for Maisy Marple's Glass and Ghosts