3.5 Stars

Beth Haldane finds herself involved in another murder. While visiting the local picture gallery, she stumbles upon a young woman laid out like a new display.

Unable to stay away, she launches into an investigation and teams with Detective York again. Dulwich is a small village, crime of this nature never happens here.

So who is this young woman? Where did she come from? Who wanted her dead?

This is an engaging old-fashioned murder mystery. The characters are believable, and likable. This one started out a little slow, but then ballooned into something much more with the addition of twists and turns and dead end clues. The village residents are what I would expect from a small place... where everybody knows your business.

Besides the murder, itself, the author touches upon the issues that plague some schools today ... some bullying and self-image problems. This is a lighthearted tromp in trying to separate truth from lies ... and uncovering a myriad of secrets.

Many thanks to the author / Crooked Cat Books / Netgalley for the copy of this crime fiction. Opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own.

Thank you Net Galley. The book was readable but not gripping. It dragged in parts and the protagonists had no chemistry. I have not read the first book in the series so I don't know if reading that would help in making the characters more interesting. All in all it was ok.

I don't normally read cozies, but I also can't pass up a book that includes an art gallery. I'm glad I didn't pass this one by - excellent writing and well-drawn characters combined with the perfect mix of art history.