Time Travel Thursday is a weekly meme hosted by Budget Tales Book Blog where readers take a look back at what they were reading this time last year (or the year before or the year before that…)

Last year, towards the end of September 2025, I had just finished Murder in Miniature (Maple Bishop #2) by Katie Tietjen.

The following review appeared online in Kings River Life Magazine: 

Murder in Miniature: Maple Bishop Book Two by Katie Tietjen

Review by Sarah Erwin

I wanted to read Murder in Miniature, book two in the Maple Bishop Mystery Series by Katie Tietjen, from the moment I saw its beautiful cover, and the story inside is just as wonderful as the cover. While this is the second in the series, this title can easily be read as a standalone.

In this historical mystery, set after WWII, Maple Bishop is a widow living in a small Vermont town. She has a successful dollhouse business, as well as a new career as a crime scene consultant for the local sheriff’s office.

Upon the discovery of the body of a local, aspiring firefighter in his burned cabin, the sheriff calls Maple to the scene. Police officer Kenny is with the sheriff and together the three of them must decide if the fire was an accident or murder. As part of the investigation, Maple creates a series of cabins in miniature. But it’s not just miniatures that solve the case – Maple and Kenny travel to Boston to investigate and encounter secrets and danger that follows them home.

The engaging writing pulled me into this story, and I read this book in one afternoon/evening sitting, stopping only to toss frozen pizza in the oven for my family. Maple is such a well-developed character – reflective and honest, doing the best she can as she grapples with missing her husband and living life in the present. Her relationship with Kenny, the sheriff and so many others in the town give the story a found family vibe which I adore. There’s even a hint of romance for Maple.

The mystery was multilayered with many parts coming into play, and while I thought I had the ending determined, I did not, and the big reveal had me sitting straight up with a gasp. Readers not only see Maple solve the mystery of the fire, but also get a glimpse into Maple’s past when she and Kenny travel to Boston.

The author’s note is a must read as the character of Maple is inspired by the true story of Frances Glessner Lee, whose miniature replicas of crime scenes are still used to train forensic investigators. I knew nothing of Frances and found myself down a Google rabbit hole, wanting to learn more.

A wonderful historical mystery series, and I do hope there are more to come.