Vendor
	Mohrbooks Literary Agency Marie Arendt
Categories
Crime & mystery fiction

THE ART OF DECOY

Trish Esden

Perfect for fans of Jane K. Cleland and Connie Berry, Tricia Esden's series debut is sure to please.

After her mother is sent to prison for art forgery, Edie Brown returns to Northern Vermont to rebuild her family's fine art and antiques business. She's certain she can do it now that her mother is gone. After all, butting heads with her mom over bad business practices was what drove Edie away three years ago, including a screwup that landed Edie on probation for selling stolen property. When Edie scores a job appraising a waterfowl decoy collection at a hoarder's farmhouse, she's determined to take advantage of the situation to rebuild the business's tarnished reputation and dwindling coffers. In lieu of payment, Edie intends to cherry-pick an exceptional decoy carved by the client's renowned Quebecoise folk artist ancestors. Only the tables turn when the collection vanishes. Accused of the theft, Edie's terrified that the fallout will destroy the business and land her in prison next to her mom. Desperate, she digs into the underbelly of the local antiques and art world. When Edie uncovers a possible link between the decoy theft and a deadly robbery at a Quebec museum, she longs to ask her ex-probation officer, and ex-lover, for help. But she suspects his recent interest in rekindling their romance may hide a darker motive. With the help of her eccentric uncle Tuck and Kala, their enigmatic new employee, Edie must risk all she holds dear to expose the thieves and recover the decoys before the FBI's Art Crime Team or the ruthless thieves themselves catch up with her. Trish Esden loves museums, gardens, wilderness, dogs and birds, in various order depending on the day. She lives in Northern Vermont where she deals antiques with her husband, a profession she's been involved with since her teens. Don't ask what her favorite type of antique is. She loves hunting down old bottles and rusty barn junk as much as she enjoys fine art and furnishings.

Available products
Book Published 2022-04-05 by Crooked Lane

Comments

All I can say is WOW! Trish Esden has knocked it out of the park. With an evocative rural Vermont setting, an intriguing main character with a complicated past, an engaging cast of supporting characters, and a twisty plot that will keep you turning pages, The Art of the Decoy is as close to perfect as they get.

Captivating... rich historical and cultural background.

Highly entertaining, with the added bonus of an in-depth introduction to the fascinating world of the antique business.

With its likable characters, high stakes mystery, and immersive setting, this is a great start to a fresh new series.

Trish Esden is a gifted wordsmith, crafting prose that is evocative, raw, and meaningful. Sit back and prepare to lose yourself in this Northern Vermont wonderland filled with priceless folk art and people you want to know.

With its tenacious and endearing female sleuth, a mystery that captivates, and a vibrant cast of suspects, The Art of the Decoy entices from the first page. A winning start to a new mystery series.

An exciting start to a new mystery series, featuring intriguing characters, a charming New England setting, and a fascinating deep dive into the world of antiques and folk-art. Highly recommended for readers who enjoy well-developed characters, sophisticated plotting, and a bit of edginess and adventure in their mysteries.

A well-drawn Vermont setting, a deep dive into the art and antiques world, and an expert and tricky mystery make this a must-read.