The Monet Murders by Jean Harrington

Title: The Monet Murders by Jean Harrington
Murders by Design Book Two
Publisher: Carina Press
Genre: Contemporary, Mystery
Length: 71,000 words
Book Rating: B+

Review Copy Obtained from Author

Summary:

Interior decorator Deva Dunne never dreamed she’d see a Monet hanging on someone’s dining room wall. Then she snags a client with two Monet seascapes. Her thrill lasts until she finds one of the paintings missing, cut from its frame, and the cook shot dead.

Rough-around-the edges, but gorgeous all-around police lieutenant Victor Rossi insists Deva leave the sleuthing to the police. But what could it hurt to come up with a list of suspects that doesn’t include herself? Like the owners of the Monets, a rich man and his trophy wife, and their frequent guests. Even the cook’s husband is suspect. Then Deva finds another victim, clutching a very strange set of clues.

Desperate to save her business amid the negative publicity, Deva helps Rossi investigate. And when he needs advice decorating his bedroom, she just might find a client for life. Unless a killer gets to her first.

71,000 words

The Review:

Jean Harrington’s The Monet Murders is an entertaining and engaging murder mystery. This second installment of the Murders by Design series takes place a few months after the end of Designed for Death. Following her discovery of a dead body in her clients’ mansion, Deva Dunne is once again smack dab in the middle of an intriguing murder investigation.

With the one year anniversary of her husband’s death looming, Deva is making substantial progress working through her grief over his loss. Her fledging design business is picking up, but success is still far from certain. Deva has an uncanny knack for being in the wrong place at the wrong time, and although Lt. Victor Rossi has warned her to keep out of the investigation, she cannot help but investigate the clues she uncovers.

Neighbor Simon Yaeger is still a key player in Deva’s life. His romantic interest in Deva has not waned and he unabashedly pursues her. Deva is unsure what her feelings for her charming neighbor are. When she discovers his connections to the murder victims, he is once again added to her suspect list.

As if tracking down a killer is not enough to occupy her, Deva must also figure out why Lt. Rossi keeps popping into her thoughts at the most inopportune moments. With Lt. Rossi under orders to stay away from her, Deva finds herself missing the gruff but sexy detective.

The Monet Murders is a superbly crafted novel that is full of unexpected twists and turns. Once again, Jean Harrington provides a lengthy suspect list and keeps her readers guessing the killer’s identity. A fabulous read that leaves me eagerly anticipating Killer Kitchens, the next installment in the Murders by Design series.