Review: An Opening for Murder

It’s the night of Maggie Kean’s first opening. Her sculptures will be on display for the public. She is very nervous. Mark, the manager and overseer of the Outlook, the upscale gallery for her show, introduces her to Henry Duran who is interested in her sculptures. But, he wants something with a little more edge to it. She takes him into the studio in back to show him one of her sculptures that didn’t make it into the show. She feels it might be just what he is looking for. On their way back there, she smells something burning. Without thinking, she opens the peephole on the kiln in the firing room and finds a man curled up in the kiln, dead.

Maggie’s boyfriend, Detective Sam Villari, is in charge of the investigation. While he is working, she is questioned by another detective.

Maggie and Villari have a very volatile relationship. He loves her and readily admits it. Maggie isn’t sure what she feels and definitely can’t voice it.

Mark and his wife Jamie seem to be having trouble. Mark says Jamie is distant and won’t talk to him. Maggie has spoken to Jamie about it, and she says work is just busy. Maggie does not believe this to be what is causing their trouble, but she isn’t certain what is. Then Maggie follows Jamie when she gets into a black car with another man. Unfortunately Maggie’s car is not very good. She ends up losing them.

She, Duran and Maggie’s friend Lisa begin investigating. They are looking into various leads to determine who killed Jeff Riley and why. They find themselves in some very interesting predicaments and often in danger.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Maggie Kean is the girl next door, but she has her own baggage as well. Her relationship with Villari is on again, off again. You never really know what’s up. Her car really adds to the story as well. Her friend Lisa is terrific and sticks with her through thick and thin. Duran is a character in and of himself. He is so well written and described. I wonder if he’ll be in future books.

I am not an art fan, but this was such an enjoyable read, that I never really thought about it. I highly recommend this book and look forward to reading more!

Reprinted with permission. Do Not repost without permission from the author, Dawn Dowdle

Book Review: An Opening for Murder