I was given a free e-copy of this novel by NetGalley in exchange for my honest opinion.
After her mother is sent to prison for art forgery, Edie Brown returns to Northern Vermont to rebuild her family’s fine art and antiques business. She’s certain she can do it now that her mother is gone. After all, butting heads with her mom over bad business practices was what drove Edie away three years ago, including a screwup that landed Edie on probation for selling stolen property.
When Edie scores a job appraising a waterfowl decoy collection at a hoarder’s farmhouse, she’s determined to take advantage of the situation to rebuild the business’s tarnished reputation and dwindling coffers. In lieu of payment, Edie intends to cherry-pick an exceptional decoy carved by the client’s renowned Quebecoise folk artist ancestors. Only the tables turn when the collection vanishes.
Accused of the theft, Edie’s terrified that the fallout will destroy the business and land her in prison next to her mom. Desperate, she digs into the underbelly of the local antiques and art world. When Edie uncovers a possible link between the decoy theft and a deadly robbery at a Quebec museum, she longs to ask her ex-probation officer, and ex-lover, for help. But she suspects his recent interest in rekindling their romance may hide a darker motive.
With the help of her eccentric uncle Tuck and Kala, their enigmatic new employee, Edie must risk all she holds dear to expose the thieves and recover the decoys before the FBI’s Art Crime Team or the ruthless thieves themselves catch up with her. (Goodreads synopsis)
I have not read anything by Trish Esden before since this is her debut novel.
At points I liked Edie, and at others I wanted to smack her. She acts terrified at talking to people or certain people seeing her, but when it came to the mystery of the decoys, she seemed to lack common sense. I liked the interaction with Tuck, and was glad to see her warm up with Kala. I hope as the series progresses that the author allows the reader to view more of Kala. She’s a mystery inside a mystery. I also liked her interactions with Shane. However, I despised how she handled Nina when the decoys went missing, and a few of the other antique dealers.
For a debut novel, though, I felt it was solid. The plot made sense, there were plenty of suspects, and the tie ups at the end were practical. There were moments in the middle were it seemed to stutter which slowed the pacing for me, but I still enjoyed it.
Overall I rate this novel 4 out of 5 stars
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