Arsenic and Old Paint
Art Lover's Mystery Series

By Hailey Lind

        Annie Kincaid is very artistic. Her previous career as an art forger serves her well in her latest endeavor. She is now a part time online art assessor, partnered with a former art thief. She also runs her own business as a True/Faux interior decorator. Unfortunately, Annie has another talent; stumbling across dead people. Usually they are murder victims.

The cast of characters in this book range from her beloved artist/forger "faux" Uncle Anton ( a family friend, not a real Uncle), to the two men she may or may not be in love with. Annie finds many facets of her life confusing, but this doesnft stop her from jumping in with both feet when she finds a mystery in need of solving, or a friend in need of help.

Hailey Lind is a pseudonym of sisters: a historian and an artist. Together they blend their own styles and knowledge into a truly entertaining mystery series. Arsenic and Old Paint is the first book that Ifve had the opportunity to read in the series, but I will most definitely be reading the previous and hopefully future novels.

The book is written in a very informal and comfortable style. The characters, including her friend Sam and assistant Mary, help define Annie's personality through their special connections. The intrigue of the men in Annie's life is fraught with sexual and emotional tension. The members of the Fleming Union (aka F-U), a men's only club where a murder has taken place, live in the world of the wealthy who believe that rules do not apply to them. The San Francisco setting offers an opportunity for the authors to share the history of the city and the nuances of modern life there. Readers even get an inside peek at a sex-club! Don't worry though; it is not too graphic in either sexual content or violence.

I really enjoyed this book and am glad to have found the Art Lover's Mystery Series. Fans of modern mysteries with a few historical lessons, intelligent and fun characters, and readers with some knowledge of art or the desire to dip a toe into learning about art will really like the book. As for me, I can't wait to go back and read the earlier books and eagerly look forward to the sistersf next writing endeavor.