The Case of the Missing Botticelli
by Marilyn Baron
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GENRE: Cozy Mystery/Contemporary/Suspense
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BLURB:
In this cozy mystery, American art history major Hadley Evans joins an art detective agency in Florence, Italy, working for Massimo Domingo, once a major player, now the Inspector Clouseau of the art world.
Determined to save the flailing agency and prove her worth, Hadley and her sexy carabiniere boyfriend, Luca Ferrari, take on a mysterious client behind her boss's back. While hot on the trail of a missing masterpiece, they discover a hidden cache of stolen Nazi art in a Venetian villa and encounter a dangerous enemy with a link to an evil past.
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EXCERPT
Hadley wrote down the phone number, and her jaw went slack when she heard and inscribed the rest of the message.
“Tell him it’s about a missing Botticelli. It’s urgent.” A shot of adrenalin coursed through Hadley’s veins. Sandro Botticelli. Her favorite artist in the whole world. Creator of the Italian masterpiece, Nascita di Venere, The Birth of Venus, the ancient Goddess of Love, dated circa 1484. She wasn’t aware a Botticelli painting was missing. “Is there any additional information you can give me? The name of the painting? The provenance? Capito. I understand the need for utmost secrecy. We can set up a meeting, and I’ll make sure Signore Domingo will be there.” She jotted down some more notes. “Piazzale Michelangelo? At sunset?”
Hadley tilted her head and chewed on her bottom lip. That was a strange destination for a business meeting. Although it offered the most scenic view of the city, perched atop a hillside overlooking Florence, meeting at a park after dark was reminiscent of a murder scene in a film noir. Where the heroine, Hadley, would later be found, dead, her virtue compromised and her throat slit. She would have to get Luca to drive her up on his motorcycle and stay out of sight while she conducted her business. Was the female caller from a museum? A high-end gallery? An auction house? Was she an art or antiquities dealer, or a wealthy private individual, or was she representing a government agency? And, if so, which government? Enemy or ally? She would soon find out.
My Review:
I enjoyed reading this story. Hadley, the heroine, is determined and resourceful, but she did have the good sense to call in help when she needed it. Her boyfriend who is a policeman seemed devoted to her even though I did question some of his actions.
I liked the connection to World War II and the way that the past and present were so intertwined. I also liked that at least one of the characters wasn't exactly who he/she seemed. Hadley showed great resourcefulness in tracking down a missing masterpiece and proved herself to everyone, especially her boss.
The book was very well written with no obvious mistakes to mar the story. It was a cozy mystery, but the book had elements of suspense as well. All in all it was a nice way to spend a few hours.
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AUTHOR Bio and Links:
Marilyn Baron writes in a variety of genres from women’s fiction to historical romantic thrillers and romantic suspense to paranormal/fantasy. She’s received writing awards in Single Title, Suspense Romance, Novel with Strong Romantic Elements and Paranormal/Fantasy Romance. She was also The Finalist in the 2017 Georgia Author of the Year Awards (GAYA) in the Romance Category for her novel, Stumble Stones, and The Finalist for the 2018 GAYA Awards in the Romance category for her novel, The Alibi. Her latest novel, The Case of the Missing Botticelli: A Massimo Domingo Mystery, released January 24, 2022, is her 28th work of fiction. A public relations consultant in Atlanta, Marilyn is past chair of Roswell Reads and serves on the Atlanta Authors Series Committee. To find out more about what Marilyn writes, visit her website at: www.marilynbaron.com/
Marilyn Baron Social Media Links:
Website: www.marilynbaron.com
Twitter: https://twitter.com/MarilynBaron
Personal Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/marilyn.baron.5?ref=bookmarks Author Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/Marilyn-Baron-286807714666748/
Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/Marilyn-Baron/e/B008PJFQPC%3Fref=dbs_a_mng_rwt_scns_share
BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/marilyn-baron
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/search?q=marilyn+baron&qid=
Instagram: Marilyn Baron (@marilyn.baron.5)
Pinterest: (1230) Pinterest
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09KGPF531/ref=sr_1_1
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GIVEAWAY INFORMATION
Marilyn Baron will be awarding a $20 Amazon or Barnes and Noble GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour.
Thanks for hosting!
ReplyDeleteThe author is having some trouble leaving a comment, so asked us to do so on her behalf:
ReplyDelete"Thank you so much for hosting me and for that wonderful review. I really appreciate it." ~ Marilyn Baron
Great excerpt and giveaway.
ReplyDeleteSounds like a good book. I like the excerpt and cover.
ReplyDeleteCali W. and Susan 1215, thanks for your comments.
ReplyDeleteMarilyn Baron
nice review
ReplyDeletebn100, thank you for commenting.
ReplyDeleteMarilyn Baron
This sounds like a wonderful book.
ReplyDeleteI was glad to have you at my blog. Good luck with the new book.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Sherry. And thank you Elaine for the review and the opportunity to be featured on your blog.
ReplyDeleteMarilyn Baron
What inspires your book plots?
ReplyDeleteTraciem72,
ReplyDeleteInspiration could come from anywhere. A conversation overheard on a plane (before COVID) or a supermarket, or a name I liked, or a nugget of information from history that I could turn into a novel. I also get inspiration from my travels (before COVID) or my favorite themes, World War II and stolen art, which I've combined in this book. I always come up with the title and character names before I start writing. Thank you for your comment.
This book sounds very intriguing. Nice cover!
ReplyDeletePippirose,
ReplyDeleteThank you very much. I'm glad you like the cover.
Marilyn Baron
What is your favorite type of music?
ReplyDeleteTraciem72,
ReplyDeleteI love music from the 1940s. My parents used to dance to those big band records in our living room and I still remember that. My husband and I still prefer that. I also love Andrea Bocelli music.
Marilyn Baron
What is your favorite place to do your writing?
ReplyDeleteTraciem72: I prefer to write at my computer at a desk in my office. A lot of people can use a laptop but I'm not comfortable doing that. I did use a laptop when we used to have a condo at the beach in Florida and I could look out my office window and see the ocean, but the laptop had to be connected to a power source and sitting on a desk and I have to use a mouse. I came up with a lot of ideas looking at the ocean but when I'm focusing on writing, I like to be in my office.
ReplyDeleteMarilyn Baron
How do you deal with writing slumps?
ReplyDeleteTraciem72,
ReplyDeleteThat's a great question. There was one time I remember being in a slump when I couldn't think of an idea and then I got an email from a former neighbor who now lives in Germany. He sent me photos of a ceremony in front of the house he was renting, commemorating a Jewish family who used to live there. An artist was installing a stumble stone in the family's memory. He wrote me a little about it-- talked about the balloons, children from nearby schools, and the artist himself, Gunter Demnig, who was installing the brass plate in the ground in front of the last known address that family was before they were deported. I was so fascinated I did a lot of research on the program and based my novel, "Stumble Stones," on it. It is my most meaningful book. So it came just at the right time, like a signal from the universe. Ideas can come from anywhere. I guess if you're in a slump, just keep reading books, the newspapers, ideas come from the cosmos.
Marilyn Baron
Do you prefer cats or dogs?
ReplyDeleteThe author is having some trouble commenting today, so asked us to share for her.
ReplyDeleteTraciem72,
Dogs. We had a Bichon Frise who lived to be 19 years old. I think she lived that long because we fed her meat from the table instead of dog food. She had the most pleasant personality and we never got another dog because we couldn't have replaced her.
Marilyn
Do you have a favorite movie?
ReplyDeleteThe author is having some trouble commenting today, so asked us to share for her.
ReplyDeleteTracieM72,
Casablanca.
Here's to a marvelous Monday!
ReplyDeleteDo you have a favorite holiday?
ReplyDeleteTraciem72, I guess Passover, because you make a big meal and invite people over for a seder, although because of COVID, it's been awhile since we've been able to do that.
ReplyDeleteMarilyn Baron
Do you prefer mountains or beaches?
ReplyDeleteTraciem72, I prefer beaches.
ReplyDeleteMarilyn
Do you have a favorite food?
ReplyDeleteTracie72,
ReplyDeleteDefinitely spaghetti (Spaghetti Carbonara).
Marilyn
Tracie72,
ReplyDeleteMy favorite way to relax is to read a book.
Marilyn
Book time is my favorite way to relax as well Marilyn.
ReplyDeletetraciem,
ReplyDeleteBooks can really take you away from the everyday.
Marilyn
Happy, happy Monday!
ReplyDeleteDo you prefer colder or warmer climates?
ReplyDeleteTraciem,
ReplyDeleteHappy Tuesday. I prefer warmer climates. I'm from Miami but I don't like it too hot. Atlanta seems to have a good climate.
Marilyn
I enjoyed the excerpt, Marilyn and your book sounds like a great mystery for me to get caught up in! Thanks for sharing it with me! Thanks, Hope, Dreams, Life...Love for sharing your review! Have a fantastic day!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Stormy.
ReplyDeleteMarilyn Baron
Do you have a favorite hobby?
ReplyDeleteTraciem,
ReplyDeleteI guess travel and reading, but since we can't travel, reading would be the answer.
Marilyn
Happy Valentines Day!
ReplyDeleteTraciem, Happy Valentine's Day to you, too.
ReplyDeleteMarilyn
Did you celebrate Valentines Day?
ReplyDeleteTraciem,
ReplyDeleteActually Valentine's Day is a bittersweet holiday in our family, since my younger brother passed away on Valentine's Day ten years ago yesterday. And with COVID we can't go out to dinner or anywhere. I used to like the holiday but now it's not my favorite.
Marilyn