Part of Isabel Dalhousie, book 4
First published 2007
Isabel Dalhousie has her hands full with baby Charlie and a marriage proposal from Jamie when she receives troubling news. Professor Dove has removed her from her position as editor of the Review of Applied Ethics. Despite these personal upheavals, Isabel cannot resist a puzzle when she spots it at an art auction. Two paintings by the same deceased artist have appeared on the market simultaneously, and both show peculiar features that raise questions about their authenticity. Isabel begins investigating whether the works are forgeries. Her inquiry pulls her away from philosophical reflections on new motherhood and into the complex world of art dealing and artistic legacy. As she digs deeper into the paintings' origins, she must navigate the competing demands of caring for Charlie, considering Jamie's proposal, and satisfying her relentless curiosity about the mysterious artworks.
Genres: fiction, literary-fiction, mystery, contemporary
Vibes: intimate, suspenseful, thought-provoking
Tropes: amateur-sleuth, family-drama
256 pages · Hardcover · Pantheon Books