Fakes and lies by Jane A Adams.
When artist and sometime forger Freddie Jones is found dead of an apparent heart attack, no one is surprised. Freddie drank heavily and was a lifelong smoker. The only dissenting voice comes from Freddie’s daughter, Bee. Before he died, her father confided that he was afraid of something - and she is convinced he was murdered.
Unable to interest the police, Bee takes her suspicions to her father’s old friend, Bob Taylor, who in turn seeks the advice of ex-police officer Naomi Blake. When a prominent gallery owner is murdered and a portfolio of Freddie’s drawings is stolen, it would appear to confirm Bee’s suspicions. What dangerous games had Freddie Jones been playing? And is Bee herself in danger?
A very enjoyable read with likeable characters.  I liked bee and Naomi and Karen. 4*.

Another outing for Naomi Blake.

‘Fakes And Lies’ is the twelfth mystery in the Naomi Blake series. She is a blind, former police detective who works using a specially adapted computer.

The plot opens with the mysterious murder of Antonia Scott, the owner of an art gallery. This seemingly random act seems to tie in with another character, Freddie Jones, an artist and successful forger. Freddie’s portfolio of drawings is also stolen. Was his death actually the result of natural causes as the police think? Freddy’s daughter, Bee Jones, is convinced that there is something more sinister going on.

Bee enlists the help of her father’s friends, Bob and Annie Taylor, to delve more deeply. Bob then involves Naomi Blake and Detective Inspector Karen Morgan who all race around in circles chasing clues.

Although there is a good mixture of ingredients, including kidnapping, violence, extreme arson and torture, I felt that at times the plot lacked pace and clarity, hence my three stars verdict.

Galadriel.

Breakaway Reviewers received a copy of the book to review.

Antonia Scott, galley owner, is killed and the only item missing is a portofolio of known forger Frederick Jones, who is also dead. His daughter, Bee, is convinced that he was murdered and that there is a connection between the two deaths. Bee is then directed towards Naomi Blake, ex-police officer, to see if she can help.
This books is the 12th in a series, and can be read as a standalone story, though I have not read any of the previous ones. Unfortunately the characters and the story felt flat and didn't really grab my imagination and so the mystery just dragged for me.

Freddie Jones was an artist, but known more for his forgeries. When he dies of an apparent heart attack, the only one who believes it was murder is his daughter, Bee.

When the police refuse to see murder, Bee goes to her father's' good friend who refers her to Naomi Blake, ex-police officer.

When a well-known gallery owner is murdered and a portfolio of Freddy's drawing is stolen, Naomi feels that maybe his daughter had the right idea after all.

This is 12th in a series, and as I have not read any of this author's previous books, I did not feel any connection to the characters. The story is slow-paced and I found myself skipping pages looking for something to grab my interest. This one just didn't hit the mark for me.

Many thanks to the author / Severn House / Netgalley for the advanced digital copy. Opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own.