A Wealth of Deception
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- $14.99
Publisher Description
Danger, art, and a touch of romance collide in Trish Esden’s second exquisitely crafted Scandal Mountain Antiques mystery, perfect for fans of Jane K. Cleland and Connie Berry.
Some people are willing to die for their art. Others are willing to kill for it.
When Vermont antique and art dealer Edie Brown discovers an unsettlingly dark collage by the famed reclusive “outsider” artist known only as Vespa, she opens a Pandora’s Box of deception and danger.
Edie teams up with Uncle Tuck and Kala to investigate the background of the collage but only uncover secrets that are more disturbing than the artwork itself. As Edie tracks down the validity of the piece, she stumbles into an art underground where some people are willing to kill to keep their schemes a secret.
Esden expertly crafts a complex cast of characters, a breathtakingly gorgeous setting, and a twisty plot that often poses more questions than answers.
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
Esden's intricately plotted sequel to 2022's The Art of the Decoy finds Edie Brown working hard to restore the reputation of her family antiques business in Scandal Mountain, Vt., since Edie's mother was sent to prison for art forgery. So when Edie hears that Anna Gorin is looking for someone to appraise Anna's mother's estate, she jumps at the chance. On offer is mostly quirky tchotchkes, but Edie spots a collage that may be a priceless piece of "outsider art" by the art world's latest sensation, Vespa, an elderly woman with a disturbing dystopian vision. When Anna tells her the piece was created by her brain-damaged brother, Erik Volkov, as art therapy, Edie is stunned. Is it really a Vespa, or is Erik an undiscovered artistic savant? Either way, the piece could be worth thousands—and the answer to all Edie's troubles. As Edie investigates the artwork's true provenance, she uncovers an international money-laundering scheme run by ruthless criminals who think nothing of killing to protect their interests. Esden offers appealing characters, a touch of romance, and a fascinating look into the complex world of art collection. Traditional mystery fans will be satisfied.
