Saralyn Richard

Detective Parrott is awoken in the middle of the night and sent to the site of an explosion and fire in a defunct barn on the estate of an elderly past TV host celebrity in Brandywine Valley. The initial evidence seems to indicate the fire was caused by a secretive illicit meth lab that went wrong, but when forensic evidence on the remains of the body found in the rubble determines the individual was dead before the explosion, the case turns into an investigation into a murder and the plot to cover it up with the phony meth lab. Parrott empathetically investigates, slowly uncovering family secrets and community issues to uncover suspects, solve the case, and stop additional murders, all while dealing with his loving wife’s PTSD from her army days. While there is not an unexpected twist to the mystery, the storyline is an expertly drawn police procedural mystery that not only engages readers into the subtle questioning, forensics, research and moments of action to uncover the secrets and details to solve the mystery, but also allows readers to connect with strong and vulnerable characters involved in the case, including Claire, the elderly celebrity owner of the estate, with her daughters, personal assistant, and neighboring estate owner. The mystery and character interaction was superb.… (mehr)

A Palette for Love and Murder is the second book featuring Detective Oliver Parrott. I did not have the opportunity to read the first book but that had no impact at all on my enjoyment of this novel. Detective Parrott is back at work after his honeymoon and this time he is on the case of stolen paintings by local artist Blake Allmond. Det. Parrott has somehow become the officer who investigates the crime that occurs among the richest residents of the Brandywine Valley. This latest crime is a bit odd though, why steal these paintings? It soon gets more complicated as someone at the center of the theft is found dead.

I don’t ususally find myself reading stories that take place in current times, nor do I often read mysteries but any time a story revolves around art I am going to be intrigued. Detective Parrott and his somewhat fragile but still strong wife are both unique and interesting. They are not the only ones. Ms. Richard has a knack for creating believable and developed characters.

The central mystery is one that builds from what at first seems to be a simple art theft to be so much more. I’m not going to be spoiling anything in this review. Just know that it’s a book that will keep you guessing as you turn the pages. You will meet many people on the road to solving the mysteries but how many of them can really be trusted?And could the butler have done it?

I enjoyed this step away from my usual historical fiction novels. It was full of twists and the relationship between Detective Parrott and his wife was as genuine a marriage as I have experienced in a book in a while. I love how she helped in his investigation. The ending was especially satisfying. I will look forward to the next investigation that Det. Parrott has to undertake.… (mehr)