When retired New York City detective Tony Mauricio arrives in the small coastal town of Silver Bay, Ore., it is with the intention of settling down and indulging his long neglected hobby of woodworking. Unfortunately, his plans are sidetracked when brilliant local artist Stef Markov dies under questionable circumstances. On the brink of a nasty divorce, Stef has taken a fatal tumble down the stairs, leaving her potentially priceless collection of artwork in the hands of her unscrupulous husband. Although there is no evidence to support their theories, Stef's mother and daughter are convinced that she was pushed, and it's up to Tony to find the truth and protect the artist's legacy.
Kate Wilhelm (Heaven Is High) is never one to skimp on details, and she doesn't disappoint here. Death of an Artist is an intricate and engrossing mystery but, more importantly, it is an elaborate exploration of character. While Tony Mauricio attempts to discover what happened in the moments leading up to Stef's death, his investigation also reveals who and what she was in life--a deeply talented, volatile woman constantly searching for a perfection that even she believed was unattainable. Wilhelm's supporting characters are equally well drawn, and they populate a story that is both suspenseful and bitterly poignant. --Judie Evans, librarian