Book Detective

Johanna, the oldest of the three Steinmann sisters, has successfully managed the family glassblowing business since her father's death, and her sister Marie's artistic gifts have made their wares unexpectedly famous. But now the livelihood of the town of Lauscha, Germany--known around the world as the "paradise of glass"--is in danger. The local glassworks is about to be sold, and rumor has it the buyer wants to make changes that will challenge glassblowing tradition.

Wanda, the daughter of the middle Steinmann sister, is freshly arrived from America and engaged to an ambitious local glassblower. Yet as soon as the bold young woman learns of the impending sale, she decides to do as her mother and aunts did--cast aside her expected role in order to save the day. With the help of a handsome bank clerk, she will take a daring risk with the villagers' hard-earned money. Just like glass, though, love and commerce are fragile, and what begins as their last hope may just end in shattered dreams.

The Glassblower by Petra Durst-Benning

The American Lady by Petra Durst-Benning

While the World Is Still Asleep by Petra Durst-Benning

From Sand and Ash by Amy Harmon

Say Goodbye for Now by Catherine Ryan Hyde

City of Girls by Elizabeth Gilbert

The Art of Hearing Heartbeats by Jan-Philipp Sendker

Calling Me Home by Julie Kibler

In the Land of the Long White Cloud by Sarah Lark

Brooklyn by Colm Toibin

Edenbrooke by Julianne Donaldson

The Whiskey Sea by Ann Howard Creel

At the Water's Edge by Sara Gruen

Blackmoore by Julianne Donaldson

Black Sheep by Georgette Heyer

Cleopatra's Daughter by Michelle Moran

The Corinthian by Georgette Heyer

Longbourn by Jo Baker

The Tea Planter's Wife by Dinah Jefferies

Empress Orchid by Anchee Min