At first it seems that the retirement home is not concerned with the elderly woman’s disappearance. However, it is their driver Gus who locates Sofia wandering the neighborhood where she used to live before Dolores, a single mother, was able to afford a better life for herself, her grandmother and daughter. 

The police are very interested in Sofia as she was found covered in blood near the scene of the murder of gardener Carl Guzman.  At first it would appear that Sofia has no motive for killing Carl who did occasional work around the home. But a little digging shows that Sofia blames Carl, once Carlos, for the death of Dolores’s fiancé when they left Mexico to make a new life in America. 

Gerry knows Sofia wouldn’t have killed Carl, probably wouldn’t have even been capable of it. So with a pint-sized gumshoe in the form of her visiting granddaughter Maddie, in tow, and with the help of nephew Steve, a local police detective, Gerry sets out to clear Sofia’s name and once again bring a murderer to justice.

 Mayhem in Miniature is the second in a series that introduces readers to Gerry Porter, but they may feel very newly introduced.  Gerry, by her actions, is a very caring person and very concerned about family and friends. Though she is a recent widow, and perhaps not sure of the new life she must now face, she does not come across as a well-drawn character. Hopefully, a surprise announcement by her son at the end of the book may help her become more real in her next story.

The mystery is a little thin, as are the police’s reasons for suspecting Sofia in the first place, but Gerry and Maddie are a clever team and always catch their man. Crafting tips are neatly woven throughout the plot (Gerry is always thinking of her next miniature) giving the craftier set much to enjoy. 

--Jennifer Monahan Winberry