Eakins' Mistress

Architect and teacher Jamie Ramsgill leaves Europe to return to Philadelphia to work for a friend, commercial architect David Laycutt. However, instead of starting his new job, Jamie learns that David withdrew $75,000 from the company and is now missing. Jamie, who has been successful twice before in solving mysteries, agrees to search for his missing friend. ...... At the same time, Jamie's sister-in-law has just authenticated as an original, a portrait of his mistress by the renowned artist Thomas Eakins. Jamie soon realizes that the painting and his friend's disappearance are linked, but that does not help him find David. Instead, Jamie finds himself under suspicion for a brutal murder that he thinks David committed. If Jamie fails to uncover the truth soon, he may find more than his reputation tarnished. He may find himself spending some time as a guest of the city Of Brotherly Love. ....... EAKINS' MISTRESS is a fast-paced novel that actually employs two mysteries: a Victorian age and a contemporary period. The characters are all fun to observe and readers will especially enjoy following the exploits of Jamie. However, there is a bit too many turns at the very end of the book that unnecessarily complicates the story's wrap-up. Still, fans will enjoy the further adventures of Jamie Ramsgill in what is after all a very interesting reading adventure. ......Harriet Klausner