Corpus Christmas

If you enjoy the world of art and mystery, then Corpus Christmas is the book for you. The story takes place in the venerable, art-filled Erich Breul House during the Christmas season in New York City. Maron prepares the scenario by introducing the main characters and their connection to Breul House. Dr. Roger Shambley, an art historian who works at the house and who seems to be disliked by everyone, makes a startling discovery involving a work of art that could make him rich and famous. For the moment, he decides to keep his discovery a secret. Then, a few days before Christmas, a special dinner is given and the characters come to attend. That night, Dr. Shambley is bludgeoned to death. Lt. Sigrid Harald of the NYPD, who happens to be one of the guests because of her relationship with famous artist Oscar Nauman, soon takes charge of the investigation. Who could have murdered the art historian? The list of suspects is long-enough to keep the reader guessing until the end. Having read other books in the Sigrid Harald series, I feel that on the earlier ones Maron comes quicker to the point where the mystery is concerned. In this book the author spends a lot of time giving information about art. This is great for a reader who loves art, but a reader who doesn't might be irritated by a lot of information that slows down the plot. Of course, Maron's style is irreproachable and as elegant as always. Corpus Christmas is an excellently written mystery for those readers who enjoy a touch of sophistication in their mysteries. Armchair Interviews says: Art and murder mixed up for a good read.

But it is good. I found this book - set in New York - to be a fun read. I enjoy Ms Maron's style of writing, so that didn't matter. The cast of characters is quirky and the art world was a far cry from the southern family style of the Knott mysteries. Over all I had fun with it and learned a thing or two.