Synopses & Reviews
In the merciless microcosm of Paris art auctions and galleries, some people collect pre-Colombian statuettes, while others, like Marion Spicer, collect trouble. When she inherits a prestigious art collection from the father she never knew, her problems start. In order to come into possession of her inheritance, she must first find three priceless works of art, a quest that draws her into a world where people will kill for a love of beauty.
Review
"Anne-Laure Thiéblemont has written a fine first mystery set in the shifty world of art collecting. She respects some of the genre codes, but also breaks from them with an unexpected tone and rich characters. A good fix." - Lire Magazine
Review
"A good first mystery set in the cut-throat world of art collectors. Anne-Laure Thiéblemont depicts well the power struggles, scams and greed, and pulls readers in with the story of poor Marion Spicer who didn't ask for anything." --L'Ours Polar
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"The plot is unexpected, original and takes you by surprise. A short, but well-written story." - Elle Magazine (Reader's Panel)
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"A well-written plot with all the necessary ingredients: a few deaths, lost objects and a whole collection of worrisome characters...Ideal for a moment of relaxation." - Elle Magazine (Reader's Panel)
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"A writer to follow. A well-researched and very effective mystery." --La Provence
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"A detective story that plays out well and reads quickly... The story is captivating, with twists and turns and murders, along with a dive into the little-known world of art specialists and counterfeiters." --Elle Magazine (Reader's Panel)
Review
"As much a mystery as an identity quest, with tight suspense and strong writing, this debut novel by an experienced art reporter reveals her qualities as a writer with a promising future." --Playboy
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"I loved this fast-paced exciting thriller. Marion is an intelligent and likeable heroine."--The Book Lover's Best Friend
"Intelligent and cerebral as well as a true thriller. It leaves you wondering if we aren't part of the ruse." --Goodreads
"This is a well-written and plot-driven mystery with believable characters in the shady underside of the art world." --4-star librarian review
Review
"I loved this fast paced exciting thriller. Marion is an intelligent and likeable heroine." --5-star librarian review
About the Author
An art reporter and trained gem specialists, Anne-Laure Thieblemont is known for her investigations into stolen art and gem trafficking. She currently works as a magazine editor, and splits her time between Paris and Marseille.Sophie Weiner is a freelance translator and book publishing assistant from Baltimore, Maryland. After earning degrees in French from Bucknell University and New York University, Sophie went on to complete a master's in literary translation from the Sorbonne, where she focused her thesis on translating wordplay in works by Oulipo authors. She has translated and written for web-based companies dedicated to art, cinema, and fashion as well as for nonprofit organizations. Growing up with Babar, Madeline, and The Little Prince, Sophie was bitten by the Francophile bug at an early age, and is fortunate enough to have lived in Paris, Lille, and the Loire Valley.