From debut author Alex Kenna comes a pulse-pounding tapestry of secrets, retribution, and greed for fans of Jeffrey Archer.
Kate Myles was a promising Los Angeles police detective, until an accident and opioid addiction blew up her family and destroyed her career. Struggling to rebuild her life, Kate decides to try her hand at private detective work—but she gets much more than she bargained for when she takes on the case of a celebrated painter found dead in a downtown loft.
When Margot Starling’s body was found, the cause of death was assumed to be suicide. Despite her beauty, talent, and fame, she struggled with a host of demons. But as Kate digs deeper, she learns that Margot had a growing list of powerful enemies—among them a shady art dealer who had been selling forged works by Margot. Kate soon uncovers a dirty trail that leads straight into the heart of the city’s deadly underworld.
Margot died for her art—and if Kate doesn’t tread lightly, she could be the next to get brushed out.
Praise for What Meets the Eye:
[An] impressive debut . . . Sara Paretsky fans will be pleased.
Publishers Weekly
Alex Kenna is the real deal, a true talent. Her prose is stunningly eloquent and characterization masterful.
Crime Fiction Critic
A righteous, painful debut. More, please.
Kirkus Reviews
Dragging the world of high art down into the muck of Los Angeles’ criminal underbelly, Alex Kenna has created an engaging mystery buoyed by the heart of its heroine, Kate Myles. Trying to win against stacked decks in her professional and personal lives, Myles’ resilience and hustle makes her an easy hero to stand up and cheer for.
James Queally, author of the Russel Avery novels and Los Angeles Times crime reporter
With the sure hand of an old master, Alex Kenna’s debut blurs the line between catharsis and crime in this gritty and nimble noir mystery. When a routine investigation into the apparent suicide of art superstar Margot Starling becomes anything but, down-on-her-luck PI Kate Myles must square herself up for the fight of her life or lose it all. Entertaining and provocative, What Meets the Eye reminds us that truth often comes with a price tag much higher—and deadlier—than anything Sotheby’s could ever hope to fetch at auction.
Katie Lattari, author of Dark Things I Adore
Kenna gives us the LA crime story we want—a fronded, sun-beaten carousel of depravity and murder, all laced up with tight plotting, sharply hewn characters, and a gripping, original story.
Joseph Schneider, author of the Tully Jarsdel Mysteries
A suspicious death dismissed as suicide leads PI Kate Myles deep into a web of blackmail and deceit, set against an intriguing backdrop of shady dealings in the art world. An all too human character, Kate is determined to piece together the wreckage of her life and career, and salvage her fractured relationship with her daughter. With clever twists & turns, and a host of convincing suspects along the way, the plot delivers a satisfying ending, but leaves us with tantalizing hints of more to come from Kate…
Julie Cameron, author of Nameless Acts of Cruelty
Book Details:
Genre: Mystery
Published by: Crooked Lane Books
Publication Date: December 2022
Number of Pages: 288
ISBN: 9781639101849 (ISBN10: 1639101845)
Book Links: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | BookShop.org | Goodreads | Penguin Random House
Author Bio:
Alex Kenna is a lawyer, writer, and amateur painter based in Los Angeles. Before law school, Alex studied painting and art history. She also worked as a freelance culture writer and sold art in a gallery. Originally from Washington DC, Alex lives in Los Angeles with her husband, son, and giant schnauzer, Zelda. When she’s not writing Alex can be found exploring Southern California, toddler-wrangling, and playing string instruments badly.
Catch Up With Our Author:
AlexKenna.com
Goodreads
Twitter – @AlexKenna9
Facebook
Why Should You Read This?
The story is told from multiple POVs, and I felt that was a smart choice for the book. The multiple point of views make the book interesting and intriguing; it is also a great way of introducing multiple characters. The book is an absolute page turner, and I have spent multiple nights taking this to my bed. A solid crime novel filled with interesting characters, and a strong plotline. I have sympathized with Kate, and cried with Margot. The author’s writing style was powerful enough to stir strong emotions within me, and that for me was the highlight of the book.
The only complaint I had was that the book slacks off in the middle, however, the overall writing is powerful. An absolute recommendation for art buffs who love the spice of crime in it.
Giveaway:
This is a giveaway hosted by Partners in Crime Tours for Alex Kenna. See the widget for entry terms and conditions. Void where prohibited.
The giveaway is for: 1 – $50 Amazon.com Gift Card
Thanks for the nice review! I have put this on my wish list!