Although shelved in either Mystery or Fiction, all these titles will appeal to fans who enjoy a good novel with a sense of mystery.

FICTION/CHEVALIER
Chevalier, TracyGirl With a Pearl Earring2000, 233p.

Historical detail of 17th century Holland and the art world of that same period merge in this mesmerizing story of Griet, a sixteen-year-old Dutch girl who becomes a maid in the home of the painter Johannes Vermeer. She soon attracts the painter’s attention, helping him in his studio, and eventually is the subject of one of his most famous masterpieces. However, as their relationship grows, it causes grave concern both within and outside the household.

MYSTERY/ELKINS
Elkins, AaronLoot1999, 354p.

Greed and deception abound in this story of a convoy of paintings looted during World War II. When one reappears fifty years later in a Boston pawnshop, the owner calls on Ben Revere, art historian, to verify the authenticity of the painting. However, after the owner is murdered and Ben assaulted, it becomes clear that anyone associated with the painting is in grave danger. Ben then embarks on a quest to find out what happened to the paintings and who would kill to recover them.

FICTION/FRAYN
Frayn, MichaelHeadlong1999, 342p.

The often pedantic world of art history comes alive in this novel in which philosopher Martin Clay and his art-historian wife are asked by their ill-mannered neighbor to appraise some paintings. Clay is unimpressed until his eyes settle on a painting he thinks may be a long-lost Bruegel. He becomes obsessed with removing the masterpiece from his ignorant neighbor. Clay then embarks on a journey to prove the painting is authentic and soon is caught up in a web of deceit from which it is almost impossible to escape.

MYSTERY/HENRY
Henry, AprilCircles of Confusion1999, 274p.

Claire Montrose, whose mundane job is checking vanity plates, gets an unexpected surprise when an eccentric aunt dies and leaves Claire her estate. While disposing of her aunt’s possessions, Claire becomes fascinated with the simplistic beauty of a painting she finds. Hoping to discover more about the painting’s value, she travels to New York but soon realizes her interest in the painting has not only jeopardized her life but others as well. Trying to stay one step ahead of her pursuers, Claire uncovers not only the truth about the painting, but also some truths about herself.

MYSTERY/KILMER
Kilmer, NicholasHarmony in Flesh and Black1995, 261p.

Set in the Boston art world, this is a novel of art acquisition and the lengths to which art collectors will go to acquire their pieces. Vietnam veteran Fred Taylor delights in tracking down art treasures for his employer and friend, wealthy art collector Clayton Reed. In this case, Taylor suspects that a lost Vermeer has been painted over, and he and Reed must keep their secrets to themselves before they too are involved in the treachery and murder surrounding this masterpiece.

FICTION/KRENTZ
Krentz, Jayne AnnLost and Found2001, 341p.

Cady Briggs, art historian and consultant specializing in the decorative arts, thinks the unexpected death of her great-aunt Vesta is suspicious. To discover the truth, she enlists her occasional employer, Mack Easton, owner of a company specializing in finding lost art. While posing as a couple, they stumble on a plot to sell forgeries as genuine antiques. Soon, the two are not only tracking down stolen antiquities but a murderer as well.

FICTION/LOWELL
Lowell, ElizabethMoving Target2001, 453p.

The world of rare manuscripts frames this novel of mystery, mysticism, and romance. When Serena Charters’ grandmother dies, she leaves a few pages of the ancient and priceless manuscript, The Book of the Learned. In an attempt to recover the missing pages, Serena enlists the help of medieval manuscript expert Eric North, but they soon find them-selves in danger from someone who will stop at nothing to possess the book in its entirety.

MYSTERY/MCCLENDON
McClendon, LiseThe Bluejay Shaman1994, 235p.

Murder, art and archaeology combine in this insightful novel. Alix Thorssen, Wyoming art expert and consultant for the FBI, returns to her childhood home in Montana to appraise a van full of stolen art. Soon after her arrival, her brother-in-law is arrested for the murder of a spiritual leader called Shiloh. It becomes obvious after another murder that an ancient artifact known as the Bluejay Shaman is involved. Alix must then focus on finding answers quickly before the murderer strikes again.

FICTION/MAYLE
Mayle, PeterChasing Cezanne1997, 295p.

Exotic landscapes and intricately detailed locales, from art galleries to restaurants, set the stage for this intriguing adventure. Photographer Andre Kelly believes he has seen a Cezanne being loaded into a plumber’s truck in the south of France. Along with Lucy, his agent, and a wealthy art dealer named Cyrus, he embarks on a hilarious escapade to find the elusive Cezanne.

MYSTERY/PEARS
Pears, IainThe Raphael Affair1990, 191p.

Set against the backdrop of the mysterious European art world, this is the first in a series introducing Jonathan Argyll, British art historian, and Flavia di Stefano of the Italian National Art Theft Squad. Jonathan, caught breaking into a church, explains that he has reason to believe that a genuine Raphael is hidden under another painting in the church. However, this painting has disappeared and when another serious act of vandalism and a murder occur, Jonathan and Flavia must face the difficult challenge of uncovering the truth.

FICTION/PEREZ-REVERTE
Perez-Reverte, ArturoThe Flanders Panel1990, 295p.

Present day Madrid is the backdrop for this mystery of art restoration and chess. Julia, a young art restorer, is preparing a Renaissance painting for auction. As she proceeds, she discovers a secret message hidden beneath the paint: “Who killed the Knight?” The painting of a duke and a knight playing chess intrigues Julia, especially when she discovers five hundred years earlier the knight in the painting was mysteriously murdered. A series of modern day murders soon make Julia realize that only by solving this historical puzzle can she resolve the present-day mystery.

FICTION/RAMUS
Ramus, DavidThief of Light1995, 291p.

Adrian Sellars supports himself by selling art forgeries to wealthy Japanese underworld figures. His fortune goes mostly to his heroin addiction, but when the artist who paints the forgeries is murdered, he is faced with a perilous situation. The clients in this high-stake world of art are intent on acquiring the Monet masterpiece he has promised but now is unable to deliver. Soon, Adrian’s time is spent not only struggling with his own addiction but also finding a way to save his life.

FICTION/SKEGGS
Skeggs, DouglasThe Estuary Pilgrim1989, 333p.

Art scholar John Napier is asked to authenticate the Estuary Pilgrim, one of Monet’s early works thought destroyed in a Nazi attack. At first John is excited, but when an informant indicates the painting is a forgery and is then found dead, John realizes that he must quickly determine the truth, because someone is willing to kill to keep the secret of the painting.

MYSTERY/SWAN
Swan, ThomasThe Cezanne Chase1997, 307p.

The art world is stunned when self-portraits of Paul Cezanne are systematically being destroyed at art museums around the world. New Scotland Yard assigns the case to its art expert, Detective Chief Inspector Jack Oxby. After three incidents of vandalism occur, Jack travels the globe in an attempt to apprehend whoever is behind these crimes, before other priceless works of art are ruined.

FICTION/WATKINS
Watkins, PaulThe Forger2000, 322p.

Paris during the Second World War is the setting for this suspenseful historical novel. David Halifax, an American artist studying in Paris, is convinced by the French authorities to aid in painting forgeries of the Old Masters before the Germans seize them. When Paris is occupied by the Germans, however, David and his companions are confronted with the brutal Nazi art experts whom they must fool into believing these forgeries are the true masterpieces.

MYSTERY/WATSON
Watson, PeterLandscape of Lies1989, 315p.

A mysterious heirloom painting, which is actually a map to priceless relics hidden during the reign of Henry VIII, is at the center of this intriguing treasure hunt. Gallery owner Michael Whiting tries feverishly to unravel the painting’s intricate clues before an obsessed art historian can get his hands on it. The reproduction of the painting on the cover of the book enables the reader to join in the quest.

Prepared by Sheila Guenzer, April 2002