1973. Art historian Fabiola Bennett sees herself as a
prudently observant deer who becomes a daring and even mischievous lioness if
the situation calls for it. And that’s exactly what’s required when greedy
criminals steal, forge, and tamper with treasured artwork. When the crooks add
murder to their list of crimes, the chaos is complete.
A mysterious note is
delivered anonymously at the door of the National Gallery in London, and the
director immediately calls Fabiola’s office in Oslo and pleads with her to come
without delay. The message is confusing, but it seems one of her favorite
eighteenth-century portraits is in trouble.
Fabiola hops on the first
plane and meets up with her vibrant side-kick Pippa Yates and the ever-loyal
Detective Inspector Cary Green from New Scotland Yard. But she is not naïve
enough to think untangling the purpose and meaning of the mysterious note will
be as simple as a walk in Hyde Park. These things never are.
1750. Newly married Robert and Frances Andrews, members of the
landed gentry of Suffolk, England, hire young and talented Thomas Gainsborough
to paint their wedding portrait. Their desire is a lovely conversation piece
showing their wealth and class, an artwork to remember them by for generations
to come.
Little do they know the
gifted artist portrays their personalities exactly how he perceives them, and
the artistic symbolism is not as flattering as they’d hoped for. Even the looming
clouds in the distance promise a troublesome future.
This
is the first book in a new dual timeline series by Heidi Eljarbo—an intriguing
spin-off from the much-loved Soli Hansen Mysteries.
Fans of Lucinda Riley, Rhys
Bowen, Kathleen McGurl, Kate Morton, and Katherine Neville will love this cozy
historical art mystery, which takes the readers back to the nostalgia of the
groovy seventies and the classical Georgian era of the eighteenth century.
Buy Links:
This title is available to read on #KindleUnlimited
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EXCERPT
AN OLDER MAN—distinguished but a bit
worn-looking—stood in Mr. Wilson’s office when Fabiola returned.
Leaning forward, Mr. Wilson asked, “What did
you find out?”
She opened her mouth to answer when the older
man cut in.
“Aren’t you going to introduce us, Wilson?”
The museum director wiped his forehead again.
“Of course. This is Fabiola Bennett, our art history specialist. Fabiola, may I
present Detective Chief Inspector Goode, head of New
Scotland Yard’s Art and Antiques Unit?”
Goode leaned his head back and shook her hand.
“I know your mother. A true art connoisseur extraordinaire. I’ve never met
anyone as gifted or as pleasant in my entire life.”
Fabiola was used to people complimenting her
mother, and Goode seemed sincere, despite his self-important tone and demeanor.
“She has always been quite remarkable when it
comes to art…and wise in many other things, as well,” Goode continued, placing
his folded hands on his protruding stomach. “Fabiola Bennett. Hmm. Your first
name is unusual for a Norwegian, is it not?”
“It certainly is. I was the only Fabiola in my
class at school,” she said with a playful smile. “My parents named me after a
seventeenth-century woman they shared a special bond with.”
His face still solemn, he looked her up and
down through half-closed lids. “So, now you’re here.”
“Yes, Director Wilson contacted me.”
Goode wandered around the room. “I’m not sure a
woman like yourself can be of help in this matter.”
“A woman such as myself?” She concentrated on
her best behavior despite a growing frustration toward the haughty, old
gentleman.
He didn’t respond. Maybe he didn’t have a
reason for saying what he’d said. Although she just met him, she pegged him as
the type to speak just so he could hear his own voice. Fabiola’s impatience
grew. At this point, only she and the criminal or criminals were aware of the
fake Gainsborough. As soon as the detective chief inspector had finished
establishing his position as almighty and powerful, she’d explain the
situation. She crossed her arms and began to tap her foot. He just needed to
hurry up.
Goode picked up a heavy paperweight from the
oak desk and then replaced it. “Well, as I said, Soli Hansen Lange has always
been exceptional in her knowledge of the various artists, their work, and the
era they lived in. I believe she has an eidetic memory.” He stopped walking and
scratched his head. “Scotland Yard’s Art and Antiques Unit was established six
years ago. Only second to the Italian Carabinieri, we house the world’s most
important national register of art. We’ve built a unit with experience and
solid documentation on art theft. We deal with fraud and forgery, and we—”
A younger man stepped out of the shadow near
the heavily draped window. Fabiola moved back a bit before recognition made her
smile. How had she missed his presence?
“And we need Fabiola Bennett’s competence,”
Cary said. “Sir, I promise you she’s in every way her mother’s daughter.” He
strode straight to Fabiola and kissed her cheek. “Hello, Fabsi.”
“Cary.” She stood for a moment, smiling, taking
in the way his eyes narrowed as he flashed that boyish, infectious grin and how
his wavy, dark-blond hair fell around his ears.
Goode huffed. “Detective Inspector Green. How
unprofessional. First, you arrive late to our meeting here, then this display—”
“My apologies, sir. But Mrs. Bennett and I go
far back. We haven’t seen each other in quite a while.” He turned back to
Fabiola. “I believe what our detective chief inspector meant to say was that with
criminals threatening our country’s cultural heritage, a dedicated unit like
ours is important.”
The detective chief inspector nodded and huffed
again. “Quite so.”
“Well, London, being the second-largest art
market in the world, needs a unit like yours,” Fabiola said. “Only New York
deals with more art than you do.”
Goode put his hat on and picked up his walking
cane. “I’ll let you take care of this matter, Green. Meet me in my office at
five sharp with an update on this mysterious note.”
“Very well, sir.”
Goode had spent his visit conveying his
importance and that of his agency, and then he’d bid them farewell before she
could explain what she’d discovered. She didn’t even try to stop him from
leaving. She’d much rather discuss the matter with a trusted friend.
Cary turned to Fabiola. “Mysterious note? What’s
that about?”
Heidi Eljarbo
Heidi Eljarbo is the
bestselling author of historical fiction and mysteries filled with courageous
and good characters that are easy to love and others you don't want to go near.
Heidi grew up in a home
filled with books and artwork and she never truly imagined she would do
anything other than write and paint. She studied art, languages, and history,
all of which have come in handy when working as an author, magazine journalist,
and painter.
After living in Canada, six
US states, Japan, Switzerland, and Austria, Heidi now calls Norway home. She
and her husband have fifteen grandchildren—so far—in addition to a bouncy
Wheaten Terrier.
Their favorite retreat is a
mountain cabin, where they hike in the summertime and ski the vast, white
terrain during winter.
Heidi’s favorites are family,
God's beautiful nature, and the word whimsical.
Author Links:
Website: https://www.heidieljarbo.com/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/HeidiEljarbo
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/authorheidieljarbo/
Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/authorheidieljarbo/
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Book Bub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/heidi-eljarbo
Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/Heidi-Eljarbo/e/B073D852VG/
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/16984270.Heidi_Eljarbo
