"The Art Collector is not only an intriguing mystery story that draws you in and keeps you guessing but also a flawless portrayal of the downtown art scene in Manhattan in the ‘70s and ‘80s, and the Deep South back in the ‘60s. Weaving Seal’s voice into the narrative, Susan Bacon creates a magnetic character—an original and true creative spirit. Having lived through both of those eras in both of those places, I found Susan’s writing and descriptions to be so visual and so real that they brought back vivid memories of those times.

— Ebet Roberts, Legendary photographer of Manhattan’s music scene

“In Bacon’s novel, a 38-year-old New Yorker’s friend is murdered, and she soon discovers the many secrets she was keeping . . . The mystery is compelling and takes unexpected turns, and it’s supported by a steady pace and unique characters. Bacon also provides a satisfying ending—not only to the mystery, but also to a subplot involving Emma’s personal life . . . An intriguing whodunit with memorable characters.”

— KIRKUS REVIEWS (Recommended review)

“When Professor Emma Quinn’s friend and neighbor, Seal Larson, a photographer with Memphis roots, is murdered, Emma finds herself enmeshed in a web of deceit, money, art, and Southern history. Bacon deftly maneuvers the reader through present-day chapters and those set in the past, juggling locations and characters, and crafting a compelling page-turner in the process . . . [She] imbues the work with a sense of place; the reader will feel equally grounded in a sprawling Southern farm, a Manhattan apartment, or The Peabody in downtown Memphis. . . The Memphis chapters are alive with the sounds and smells of the region.”

— JESSE DAVIS, Memphis Magazine