Getting ready for the summer crowds that she knows will descend on Jackson Hole, Wyoming - and hoping that they're in the mood to buy some of the fine art available for sale in her gallery on the Square - Alix takes some time to do a little white-water kayaking before settling in for business. Aside from a nasty dumping in the river, everything is as it should be until she gets back to town and discovers the fire that has destroyed her friend Eden's struggling gallery. What's worse is the discovery of the body in the ruins, tentatively identified as that of Ray Tantro. He'd had a brilliant career as an artist and was making a comeback with a show at Eden's gallery. Alix is asked to do an estimate of the value of the paintings for insurance purposes, but Eden may never collect. The fire was clearly arson, and that means Tantro's death is a murder. Picking through the charred remains of the gallery, Alix realizes that something is amiss, but she can't quite put her finger on it. And if a cunning and cold-blooded murderer has his way, Alix not only won't find the answers she's looking for, she won't live to see the beginning of Jackson's ski season.
I sent all three of Lise's Alix Thoresson books to the avid readers on my Christmas list. Everyone responded with positive comments - "let me know when her next book comes out", "they are like the early Hillerman books, which are among my favorites", "she's a very entertaining writer. I was so glad to have the next book right there to continue the adventures"... As the gift giver, I was pleased that the recipients enjoyed Lise's mysteries as well as I did. Lise has the skill to keep the mystery alive throughout the book, keep the reader intrigued with the relationships among the characters, and throw in interesting educational tidbits about the settings. I look forward to more of her stories.
Terrific book!
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 25 years ago
Lise has created a wonderful character in Alix. She runs an art gallery with her friend and former lover, Paolo. Alix's friend's art gallery is burned, and she is called upon to put a value on the art burned in the fire. The mystery begins when the police find a body in the destroyed gallery. The story twists and turns, and she had me totally baffled as to who and why. The writing is delicious, and I highly recommend this book (which I thought was even better than Bluejay Shaman).
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