| Title | : | Off the Beadin' Path (Glass Bead Mystery, #3) |
| Author | : | |
| Rating | : | |
| ISBN | : | 0998481920 |
| ISBN-10 | : | 9780998481920 |
| Language | : | English |
| Format Type | : | Kindle Edition |
| Number of Pages | : | 209 |
| Publication | : | First published March 10, 2017 |
After the first night of class, Tessa sees a body through the rain-streaked window of the studio. The next morning there’s no sign of Marco, and one of the studio owners is also missing. The local sheriff isn't taking the disappearances seriously, but Tessa knows what she saw. To complicate matters, Officer Shaw and Detective Grant are both vying for Jax’s attention as she tracks down clues in a small town that's been keeping more than one secret.
Jax and Tessa must face their fears to find the body and uncover the killer before another life is shattered.
Off the Beadin’ Path is the third book in the Glass Bead Mystery Series.
Off the Beadin' Path (Glass Bead Mystery, #3) Reviews
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Dollycas’s Thoughts
Jax and Tessa are back and they are traveling back and forth to a glassblowing studio for a week of classes with a master glassblower from Venice, Italy. The small town of Carthage doesn’t have much, a sandwich shop, a diner, a rundown motel, an auto garage and an old firehouse that has been converted into a glassblowing shop. Jax is surprised they could get someone like Marco De Luca to come in to teach a bunch of glass bead makers some new techniques.
After the first day Jax and Tessa are headed home when Tessa realizes she doesn’t have her phone. They head back to the shop but the place is locked up tight. Tessa peeks into the window and sees Marco dead on the floor. By the time they alert the sheriff and he checks things out the body is no longer there. But Marco doesn’t show up for class the next day either and one of the owners of the shop is also missing. The sheriff tells them without a body he has nothing to investigate, so you guessed it Jax starts looking for a body or two and then things get really heated up.
This cast of characters continues to evolve in every story. Jax is now very comfortable in Seattle and her business is growing. Tessa’s family is split up in this installment, her daughters are at camp, her son and a friend are with grandma, hubby Craig is off on a trip with friends and Tessa is spending the week with Jax, all while their home gets a little remodel. Val is hiding someone in her half of the duplex and she is getting ready for a Star Wars convention. Officer Ryan is still lurking around the fringes of Jax’s life and Detective Zachary is still giving Jax palpitations every time he is around. Other bead makers from previous books return and we meet Marco De Luca and his brother Dario. One of the main characters also has some history with the De Luca brothers.
Of course they need a murder to get involved in and this time it has a brilliant twist. First they have to actually find the body, then the suspect pool is a large one. It could be anyone attending the class, the staff and owners of the glassblowing shop, other residents of Carthage, the victims family or even someone from his past. All Jax knows is that it wasn’t her and it wasn’t Tessa.
As usual with this series the pace of the story is quick. Our lead characters hardly have any down time and find themselves getting a little muddy in search of the truth. I had a couple laugh out loud moments thanks to the small town sheriff including not one but two clever escapes, and again due to one very lovable basset hound.
The entire story was an immense delight. The pages flew and I reached the end too soon. I was not ready to let go of these characters. Now I have to not so patiently wait for their next escapade. I hope the author doesn’t make us wait too long.
These books can be read each on their own but I encourage you to start at the beginning to get in on all the fun. -
The Glass Bead Mystery series just keeps getting better! Each installment out does the one before, something I would have thought to be impossible.
I have followed this series since the first book, HIGH STRUNG. I enjoy everything about it. Author Janice Peacock’s knowledge of the art of glass making really shines through. It’s very clear that she loves what she does, both bead making, and writing.
You’re not going to put this book down once you get started. Well written, witty, and informative, OFF THE BEADIN’ PATH is an excellent and unpredictable mystery that will keep you in your seat until you have read the last word. I certainly didn’t plan to read it in one sitting, but I should have known I would after reading the other books.
If you’re already a fan of this series, you have got to check out this great addition. If the Glass Bead Mysteries are new to you, you can read OFF THE BEADIN’ PATH, and not feel lost, but I do suggest you pick up the first two books, and the short story. You’ll be happy you did! -
Off the Beadin' Path was another great addition to the Glass Bead Mystery series. I think this was my favourite one so far. Jax and Tessa are on another roadtrip, this time to the small town of Cathage where they are taking a course on glass blowing. The course is being led by Marco De Luca, a famous Italian glass artist, and well known Cassanova. Shortly after the class begins, Jax forgets her phone in the studio and when they return to get it, Tessa sees a dead body lying on the work area. When they call the police, by the time they get there, the body is gone. The next day, Marco does not show up for class, and Tessa is sure he was the body she saw. Did someone kill Marco? Where is his body? Why was he killed?
This cast of characters is fun, and very interesting. As the series continues, there are new characters playing a role in the story. In this book, Jax is dealing with two gentlemen who are interested in her, both police officers. She isn't sure what she wants but is concerned that Ryan is becoming stalkerish. Val, Jax's neighbour and tenant is hiding is hiding something or someone which adds another bit of mystery to the story. Detective Zachary is still giving Jax heat every time she sees him, but she isn't sure where they stand. Some of the characters we met in previous books make an appearance, which shows that the beading community is small and close. When the body is found and identified, the local sheriff immediately suspects Jax and she has to find the evidence on her own to identify the real culprit. She and Tessa work well together in all these books and I enjoyed the search for the murderer. There were a lot of suspects, some red herrings and several twists and turn. A couple of side stories add even more interest to the story, but it all comes together at the end. A cozy mystery series, I recommend. -
Off the Beadin’ Path is the third book in Janice Peacock’s Glass Bead Mystery series. Once again, Ms. Peacock has given readers an intriguing storyline with realistic, well-developed characters. This book is well thought out and written with just the right combination of mystery, friendship, and humor and does not contain any graphic violence, sexually explicit scenes, or inappropriate language. I found this book to be an easy read that had me laughing while still being caught up in the mystery that kept me guessing until the reveal. I highly recommend Ms. Peacock’s books to anyone who enjoys reading a well-crafted cozy mystery.
Jax O’Connell and her friend, Tessa Ricci, have signed up for a glass blowing class in the small town of Carthage, Washington. Since it’s only a forty-five minute drive from Seattle, where they live, Jax and Tessa decide to commute to Carthage each day for the classes. Dez and Abby McCabe are the owners of the studio, named The Firehouse, and have brought in a famous Italian glass artist, Marco De Luca, to be the instructor. Jax loves making handcrafted glass beads but she has never done any glass blowing and soon learns that she isn’t going to add glass blower to her resume. Tessa accidently leaves her cell phone at The Firehouse and the studio is locked up when they return to retrieve it. Tessa peeks in a window, sees the body of Marcos lying across the marver in the hot shop, and knows he isn’t alive. By the time the local sheriff arrives, the body has disappeared and the next day, Dez turns up missing. Sheriff Poole doesn’t believe Tessa actually saw Marcos’s body and isn’t inclined to put much, if any, effort into finding Marcos or Dez. Jax and Tessa, determined to find Marcos’s body and locate Dez, find themselves in some interesting situations and even in harm’s way.
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book. -
I can only thank (or blame) myself for this book as I bought it with my own money as I wanted to. ;-)
Though I will give a mention to the author Janice Peacock who went and got me not only addicted to her ‘Glass Bead Mystery’ series, but lamp work beading in general.
‘Off the Beadin’ Path’ is book three in the ‘Glass Bead Mystery’ series and some of my more astute followers will have noticed that I reviewed book four – ‘To Bead or Not to Bead’ - just a few weeks ago. Why Janis? Why!
Well, two reasons really. Firstly, I got the honour of being chosen as a Beta Reader for ‘To Bead or Not to Bead’ and then realised I’d not read book three… yet. Some fan, right? So I raced off and bought book three, read it and then went straight into book four before I’d even had a chance to leave a review for ‘Off the Beadin’ Path’. I was then committed to leaving a review for ‘To Bead or Not to Bead’ before a certain date. With me so far? Oh, good.
The second reason is… well, I’ve been a slack tart reviewer this year. Yeah, I said that! I have about NINE books in my “To Be Read” pile I have actually read – months ago for some of them – and am yet to get to leave a review for. What can I say? The need of a new laptop, my health, my other commitments… someone is going to take my reviewer badge off me soon if I don’t pull my socks up! :-D
So, yes, if you were just able to follow my crazy lady logic…. THAT is why you’re reading my book three review for a series AFTER reading my book four review. We good? Excellent… back to it then!
Okay… so in ‘Off the Beadin’ Path’ we find Jax and her BFF Tessa are off on an adventure again, this time to a nearby town to learn the art of glass blowing – very different from lamp work bead making – from some of Italy’s finest… until said finest – Marco – turns up dead and Jax herself is one of the lead suspects.
So it’s one of those ‘solve the mystery to clear my name’ type tales. And one that is done well, with some good red herrings, and plot padding so that you won’t be bored by it all.
Our other usual friends make appearances; from the cute could be boyfriend and actual detective, the other love interest and cop Ryan. Let’s not forget the lovable Val and her suddenly very elusive antics – and backseat of her car filled with spare shoes. They’re all there and they help balance the book out, along with a few new faces and a little delve into the past of Tessa and her life before husband and kids.
Yes there were a few “Hmmmm, you just said that, several times just a few pages ago” moments that cosy/ mysteries seem to do these days, so Ms Peacock can’t be blamed of being alone in that pattern. Plus there was the odd inconsistency in plot that should have been picked up in final edit… but hey, no one is perfect!
Other than that, it was a great cosy/ mystery read. It gave me reasons to keep second guessing my “whodunit” theories and I LOVE a book that does that! Well, the ones that do it as they are well written – like ‘Off the Beadin’ Path’ – and not like the ones that are poorly written and contradict themselves to give a plot twist ending. Don’t read those books, they’re real stinkers. ;-)
Would I recommend this book to others?
Yes I would, I mean yeah… I suppose it MIGHT be enjoyable as a stand-alone read, but I would STRONGLY recommend people read all other books (and Novella) in the ‘Glass Bead Mystery’ series before reading ‘Off the Beadin’ Path’. You will thank me for introducing you to a fantastic, craft themed cosy series!
Would I buy this book for myself?
Well, um, yeah… and I did. But you know that. I love this series, own all the books (and Novella) and honestly do hang out for when the next books are due. Definitely a favourite cosy series of mine.
In summary: Want a cosy/ mystery that adds the colour of glass art into your day? Then this is the book for you. -
Primarily glass, with a murder as a side plot
Oooh, let's take a peek into the book!
"During our disastrous trip to Portland, Tessa’s daughters had fought like wild animals at home, causing her so much anguish that she couldn’t enjoy her time at the Bead Fun sale. That, and the fact that I’d found a dead body, had made it a particularly stressful weekend. With her kids at camp and her husband on a fishing trip, I hoped Tessa would have a distraction-free week taking a glassblowing class with me."
Ominious narrator voice: it would not be a distraction-free week.
Reviewer voice: thank heavens, glassblowing will actually mean glassblowing because the author knows glass.
As with the other books in this series, glass is the main, and sometimes best character. Jax keeps being in the wrong place at the wrong time to discover and help solve a murder case, along with a super-quirky group of recurring characters, and a few new ones to give multiple options for the whodunit aspect.
The murder weapon was obvious early on; the rest of the mystery unfolded at a bit of a frantic pace, complete with too-convenient coincidences. Not a complaint as much as a hallmark of cozy mysteries. -
Pretty good cozy and a lesson in glass blowing!
I hadn't read any books in this series, but this one was offered as a free book on BookBub, the reviews were good, and I gave it a chance. The story is complete, and even though it's the fourth book in the series, it was easy enough to pick up on the background of the main characters. There is a lot of technical descriptions of glass blowing and glass bead making. Some may find it tedious but I thought it was interesting since I had no idea what went into making glass beads. The characters are generally likeable. I was disappointed that the local sheriff was more the cozy mystery stereotype of the incompetent lawman and Jax, the central character, has to save the day. The mystery is okay, although I figured out the who early on, just not the exact why. The book is edited well and it's a quick read. It's a pleasant way to spend a couple of hours. I will try another book in the series for sure. -
Jax and Tessa head out to a rural one street town to a new glass studio to take Venetian glass blowing and millifiori classes from an Italian master, Marco. Unfortunately, Marco is murdered at the end of the first day. Jax and Tessa once again find themselves caught up in murder...as suspects and amateur detectives. The usual amusing cast of side characters are introduced, along with a couple of newcomers to the series. This is the third of the series.
While the glass techniques and info are spot on, clearly something with which the author is comfortable and familiar, the mystery(ies) are thin and easily solved. One's interest waivers. Not as good as first 2 in the series. I do have the fourth plus a very short story, so I will finish it out. But unless you are caught up in the world of glass-making, skip this one. -
Off the Beadin’ Path (Glass Bead Mystery # 3)—Janice Peacock/Narrator: Mary Ann Jacobs (29 chapters separated into dated sections) May 22, 2022
This is a story about two women who go to a workshop of glassblowing and end up solving a murder of the guest glassblower.
If you enjoy beading and glassworks and/or Italian characters, this might be a good book to read.
It was OK, but as I got this book free and it was the third book in the series and I had not read the first two books, I felt a little disjointed, as if I missed some background that I needed to understand the story better.
The narrator did a fine job with the different characters and accents.
I think it is important to begin the series with book one. As it was, I didn’t get enticed enough to want to go back and read books one and two.
It was a fast read.
Two stars. -
Gorgeous guys, glass and gifts with a few guffaws and grizzly grief.
Book 3 in the series seems to be a tad forced and not as "charming" as the previous 2, but I still enjoyed reading a follow up mystery that includes my favorite topic- beads! There weren't as many laugh out loud interactions, but the humor between crazy close friends was still evident. Hoping for more in the series! -
Janice Peacock has written a series of books centered around Jax O’Connell. Jax is a middle aged single woman living in Seattle who makes a living selling beads. Jax is a pretty fun character. She drives a red beetle that she calls “ladybug”, she has eccentric friends, eats a lot of sweets and lives in a house she inherited that she had remodeled into a duplex. Jax has a cat named Gumdrop that she adores. Jax is just quirky enough to make the book interesting.
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I read the 1st book in this series awhile ago and had forgotten how much I liked the main characters, Jax and Tessa. They are good friends and both make glass beads to sell jewelry. They have decided to take a class in glass blowing ... a very different craft from making beads ... and everything begins to go awry almost from the very beginning. I wish I had read the 2nd book before this one (#3) but it really didn't effect the story line.
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Fun Read
Enjoyed the book. Ms Peacock writes a logical mystery with believable characters. She is passionate about glass bead making as is her heroine, Jax. In this book, the reader learns about Venetian glass blowing while solving more than one mysterious death. There are no objectionable words or situations. -
Another great story from Janice Peacock
I didn't remember reading another book in this series..but after a short while the characters became familiar. Very enjoyable..the author is able to give you the feeling that you can feel the heat from overs while working with the glass -
A. Interesting Tale of Shattered Glass
I enjoyed the characters in this book and the setting at a glass-blowing studio and school. The mystery has interesting plot lines the pace was consistently forward moving without any periods of sluggishness, and the resolution pleasing. If you like cozy mystefies, you'll enjoy this one. I certainly did. -
Good book, 3rd in series
This was as good as the first two but in a few spots it got too technical regarding glass blowing. Reading the terms and techniques was a little tedious and I have to admit to skimming through those parts. I do enjoy the characters, and getting pulled into their personalities. -
Cute... but, unfortunately, I don't know much about the glassblowing world, so lots of terms that I just ignored. Maybe I should have read the first books in the series before jumping into this 3rd one? Anyway, still enjoyed light-hearted murder mystery...
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Glass making cozy
Enjoyable cozy mystery. I learned a lot about glass blowing. This is part of a series of bead making mysteries. I have not read the others and was not quite understanding all of the relationships. I probably would have liked it better had I read in order.
