On Flashback Fridays I will share with you the books I was not able to review
when they were first released that have been screaming at me
from my To-Be-Read bookshelf.
The hardcover and e-book editions of this book were released May 3, 2016.
The Mass Market Paperback Edition was just released on May 2.
The Art of Murder (Dead-End Job Mystery)
Cozy Mystery
15th in Series
Setting – Florida
A Berkley Prime Crime Mystery
An Imprint of Penguin Random House LLC
Hardcover: 304 pages
ISBN-13: 978-0451476135
Mass Market Paperback: 320 pages
ISBN-13: 978-0451476142
Kindle ASIN: B013Q70G1G
The art world is a happening place—but a brush with death shouldn’t be in the picture. Unfortunately that’s just what happens to Helen Hawthorne and her friend Margery. While touring gorgeous Bonnet House, a mansion-turned-museum, they observe a painting class and note an up-and-coming artist. When they later see her deadly end, Helen is hired to canvas the crime scene—undercover, of course.
Sketchy suspects lurk in the victim’s bohemian past. Was the promising painter killed by her jealous husband? Her best friend? A rival using her artful wiles? With her husband Phil busy setting a trap for a gold thief, it’s up to Helen to paint this killer into a corner . . .
Dollycas’s Thoughts
What should have been a quiet and relaxing day for Helen Hawthorne and her friend Margery quickly turns deadly. The were touring Bonnet House, a Fort Lauderdale museum, and when the left they were witness to a woman falling down and convulsing in a parking lot. She later died and her death was very suspicious, but was it murder or suicide? Helen is asked to investigate her death and goes undercover to do so. Phil has his own case. He is trying to catch a thief that has been burglarizing high rises. Busy with their own cases they don’t have much time for each other. Hopefully they can wrap things up before their marriage starts to suffer.
Fifteen books in and Elaine Viets still delivers a timely mystery we can escape right into.
Helen has come a long way from the dead end jobs as she takes on another case all by herself and she ends up helping Phil with his case too. Phil ends up the one with the dead end job in this installment. I did figure out the whodunit in her case quite easily and some of the facets of Phil’s case too but both had a suspenseful endings.
All our favorite characters and their “sunset salutes” are back. I did enjoy Markos helping the PI’s again. The new characters were interesting and well developed. Their dialogue was well written too and real.
This was not my favorite book in the series but it was an entertaining read . I think I miss Helen being chased by her ex but as with all series I understand the characters have to evolve. The bit of marital tension between Helen and Phil did help, but truly we all know they are just so darn happy together. 🙂
The Art of Murder is a light, fast, enjoyable cozy. A nice addition to this series.
About This Author
Elaine writes her novels with the help of Harry, a striped cat who sleeps by her computer and lashes the keyboard with his tail. He whips her into a writing frenzy. Harry collaborates on two series, the Dead-End Job Mysteries
For more about Elaine check out her web site here.
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Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. Receiving a complimentary copy in no way reflected my review of this book. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
I love books by Elaine Viets! Thanks.
I love the way you put together your Giveaway page ~
Sometimes an entertaining read is all we need. Have Elaine on my TBR list but haven’t gotten to her yet. May have to rectify that. 🙂
Sounds like a good read.
A super series but I’m way behind!