Painted Ladies by Robert B. Parker

There's something sad about reading the second last Spenser novel.  I'm going to miss Robert B. Parker's wit, the thoughtful conversations between the characters.  Painted Ladies brought appearances by most of the cops in Spenser's life, along with a few other friends, but Hawk is missing.  I hope he's in the last book in the series.

When a painting is stolen from the Hammond Museum, and there's a ransom demand, Dr. Ashton Prince is asked to handle the exchange, money for the painting.  Prince hires Spenser to protect him, but the site of the exchange, and the details, are very carefully set up, and everything goes wrong.  Spenser didn't take care of his client, so he's determined to make it right.

However, it seems that no one else really cares.  On the advice of their attorney, the Hammond won't deal with Spenser.  No one at Walford University, where Prince taught, seems particularly upset.  The professor's widow is caught up in her own world.  Even the insurance company's representative isn't interested in the investigation.  Not having a client has never stopped Spenser, when he's determined to discover the secrets behind his client's murder.   This time, though, someone has Spenser targeted, and he thinks it involves this case.

This mystery involving the art world takes Spenser down some unexpected paths.  In a change from recent books, there's actually more mystery involved in this book by Parker.  It's a treat to watch Spenser work a puzzling case.  But, as always, the greatest treat is spending time in Spenser's world, with Susan and Pearl, and the cops who respect his ability.  Spenser is the detective who recognizes and can recite poetry, appreciates attractive women, but always remains faithful.  It's going to be tough to finally lose mystery's knight in shining armor, the detective with a code of honor.

Painted Ladies by Robert B. Parker.  G.P. Putnam's Sons, ©2010. ISBN 9780399156854 (hardcover), 304p.

*****
FTC Full Disclosure - Library Book

Arsenic and Old Paint by Hailey Lind

If you like art history, San Francisco, and a mystery with diverse characters, humor and a little sexual tension, you can't go wrong with Hailey Lind's books.  It's been three years since the last book in the Art Lover's mystery series, but Lind is at the top of her game with Arsenic and Old Paint.

Even when artist and faux finisher Annie Kincaid thinks she's taken a routine job, things can go bad quickly.  Hired to use paint to recreate the appearance of a Victorian wallpaper that had been ruined, Annie and her team hear a woman's scream, and find an unusual murder scene.  There's a man in a bathtub, with a sword in his body, and a woman in a French maid's outfit standing over him.  The murder scene reminded Annie of David's painting, Death of Marat.  But, that murder is just one of the curious activities at the exclusive Fleming-Union men's club on Nob Hill.  Once she's kicked out of the club, and told her services are no longer needed, Annie will do anything to get back in and investigate, even crawl through tunnels. 

How does Annie Kincaid get into these messes?  Before she knows it, her straight-arrow landlord, Frank DeBenton, asks her to look for a bronze sculpture that disappeared.  Her business partner, "reformed" art thief, Michael X. Johnson, gone for a few weeks, appears and disappears at the most inopportune moments.   And, in a family of forgers, it appears that her beloved "Uncle" Anton might have been involved in the forgery of a Gauguin that has disappeared.   Forgeries, stolen art work, and the reappearance of thieves and forgers in her life.  As Annie says, "When there are a lot of coincidences in my life things tend to go bad, fast."

Even Annie's love life is a mess.  She's attracted to both bad boy Michael and straight-laced Frank, who might have a mysterious past himself.  The only solution is to turn to chocolate, lots and lots of chocolate.  And, a complicated investigation doesn't hurt.  Although Annie continuously tells Michael they're not investigators, she continues to delve into the disappearance of art work, and the story of tunnels under Chinatown and Nob Hill.

Hailey Lind successfully intertwines the mystery and history with Annie's amusing life.  Annie's friends are a remarkable, unusual group of people, and some of the pleasure in reading these books is meeting up with Annie, her family and friends again.  Arsenic and Old Paint is the best book of the series, so far, but, if you haven't read any of them, I recommend you go back and start from the beginning.  It's worth reading about Annie and her unusual group of acquaintances.  Nothing is any better than a good mystery with a strong group of characters.  Arsenic and Old Paint, and Hailey Lind's other mysteries, offer a wealth of unusual characters, along with a fascinating look into mysteries in the art world.

Hailey Lind's website is http://www.haileylind.com/

Arsenic and Old Paint by Hailey Lind.  Perseverance Press, ©2010. ISBN  9781564744906 (paperback), 272p.

*****
FTC Full Disclosure - The author asked that the publisher send me a copy of the book, in hopes I would review it.

Murder in the Abstract by Susan C. Shea

Susan C. Shea's Murder in the Abstract is a tantalizing debut mystery. It leaves the reader wanting more of the character, Danielle "Dani" O'Rourke, and hints at future romantic developments. Shea has given readers an inside look at the politics and backstabbing in the art world, a world ripe for murder.

Dani O'Rourke is the top fund-raiser for the (fictional) Devor Museum in San Francisco. Since she was married for a short time to Richard "Dickie" Argetter III, she has connections that prove invaluable in the active world of raising money and finding modern art for the Devor. On the night of a show, a body falls from the window of Dani's fifth floor office. It's unfortunate that she also has a connection to the dead man.

As the police question Dani, they point out the body came from her office window, there was a letter requesting he meet her in the office, and she had keys to that office. Is there a better suspect, although there were hundreds of people at the Devor that night? Although Dickie offers to get her a lawyer, Dani is afraid she'll ruin her career in the art world if she starts pointing fingers at her boss, other artists, or even a collector. Maybe she can convince the handsome Inspector Sugarman that the art world is filled with people who would kill over art. Just not her.

Shea takes Dani from San Francisco to Santa Fe's art community in a search for answers. Murder in the Abstract is a solid debut, with a likable amateur sleuth and a world that holds promise as a setting for future crimes. Let's hope there are additional mysteries in Dani O'Rourke's future.

Susan C. Shea's website is www.susancshea.com

Murder in the Abstract by Susan C. Shea. Avalon Books, ©2010. ISBN 9780803477681 (hardcover), 272p.

*****
FTC Full Disclosure - The author sent me a review copy, in hopes I would review it.