This is the first in a series of books featuring Alix London, an art expert cum sleuth. I had previously read and enjoyed one of Aaron Elkins’ mysteries featuring Gideon Oliver, so this should be worth a try, right? I read it as an entry in an ongoing series of southwestern mysteries, but it is more of an art mystery story. It was an easy and enjoyable read, though it doesn’t bear too much in-depth thinking about. The story starts with Alix, who is down on her luck, being asked by an art collector to look at a newly-discovered Georgia O’Keefe painting to tell whether or not it is authentic. Alix is excited – this could be her entrée into the world of art connoisseurs, where hopefully she can make a living. Her life plan had been destroyed some years earlier by her father’s having been convicted of art forgery. Maybe life is turning around – she is living rent-free in a friend’s apartment and has no income to speak of, and little or no employment prospects beyond some occasional art restoration. Alix and the collector, Christine, go to Santa Fe to look at the painting. (I have to say I enjoyed all the descriptions of Santa Fe, Taos and the surrounding countryside, and the observant descriptions of the art galleries and their pseudo-intellectual customers). So now Alix is enjoying the high life again! Private plane, expensive hotel suite, Lamborghini rental car…. But things take a downward turn when the gallery owner showing the painting tries to put them off from examining it, and then to make things worse, Alix is almost checked in when she is almost killed in an explosion as a gas fire in her hotel cabin blows up. Accident? Well, it’s a mystery story, so of course, it’s not an accident, but a harbinger of what’s to come. Then, when the delayed appointment for examination of the painting comes around, Alix and Christine are bowled over by a thief running off with the painting, and find the gallery owner dead.To complicate matters, Alix’ father, now released from prison, pulled strings in the background to get her the current gig (and even her art apprenticeship, it seems). The FBI know this, and therefore suspect Alix of being in league with forgers (they have had their eye on the gallery owner for some time). Cue interesting and slapstick relationship with undercover FBI agent….I found the book very easy to read; well-written and enjoyable. I did not notice anything to suggest that there were two writers involved, as can sometimes happen (e.g. when they each write alternate chapters). The descriptions of the countryside, the art world, and especially Georgia O’Keefe’s painting world, were well done. But, on reflection, the plot was a bit too far-fetched. Would a forger really make multiple, complicated attempts on the life of an art valuator? I think not – more likely to just withdraw the forgery from sale. My other problem with the story is that again we have an amateur who has no reason to investigate a murder doing just that. But it’s an easy and enjoyable read. Alix London is a beautiful and talented art consultant. She's also a Harvard drop-out. Born into wealth and privilege, she lost it all when her famous artist father was convicted of art forgery. Presently, she's house sitting in Seattle while she's cleaning expensive paintings for a client. Then her luck changes when she's hired by the novice art collector and newly rich, Christine Lemay, who wants Alix to authenticate a Georgia O'Keeffe painting that her art dealer friend is selling. They travel to the art scene in Santa Fe, the third largest artist area in the country, for this adventure. The relationship between 'fallen from high society', Alix, and 'tell it like it is', Christine makes for a great caper. Though, when the art dealer friend is murdered, and the Santa Fe adobe cabin that Alix is supposed to say in explodes, they find danger chasing them too. There's lots of interesting information about the art world and Georgia O'Keeffe that adds a real spark to this story. The underworld of art forgery creates real suspense and mystery, as humor mixes with danger in a great way throughout the story. A great start to a new mystery series!
Do You like book Gefährliches Talent (2013)?
Decent mystery. I feel like I learned a little bit about art with the book too. Interesting.
—Kreisha
Entertaining entry into the art mystery genre. Looking forward to the next one!
—Nocoladawn
A nice enough outing on the cozy side. Obvious villian/s but enjoyable enough.
—agka
fun, easy read. I'll read the next installment of this series.
—CortneySue
Read Kindle sample…gotta try the real thing!
—MsGabuke
