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The Ghost Portrait: Every masterpiece hides a secret
Every Masterpiece Hides a Secret
When renowned artist Eliza Warren is found dead in her studio, there’s no sign of violence. But her expression is one of pure terror. Annie O’Malley & DI Joe Swift have seen a lot of crime scenes, but nothing like this. Eliza wasn’t just killed—she was frightened to death.
At the centre of the studio sits an unfinished portrait, its subject haunting. But when Annie starts asking questions, the painting vanishes and the case takes a darker turn.
The woman in the portrait is linked to an unsolved disappearance from twenty years ago—that of Margot Grayson, who was last seen in the orbit of powerful art collector Edward Brannon.
As Annie and Swift dig deeper, they realise someone is determined to keep Margot’s story buried. Witnesses are silenced. The past is rewritten. And then, another body appears—posed like a work of art.
Somewhere in Eliza’s stolen painting lies the truth. A truth someone is willing to kill for.
Can O’Malley and Swift find the ghost portrait and find Eliza’s killer before one of their team becomes the next macabre exhibition?The Ghost The twelfth instalment in the best-selling O'Malley & Swift series, is a thrilling cat and mouse tale of obsession and fantasy. Perfect for readers of Alex Smith, JD Kirk, and LJ Ross.
When renowned artist Eliza Warren is found dead in her studio, there’s no sign of violence. But her expression is one of pure terror. Annie O’Malley & DI Joe Swift have seen a lot of crime scenes, but nothing like this. Eliza wasn’t just killed—she was frightened to death.
At the centre of the studio sits an unfinished portrait, its subject haunting. But when Annie starts asking questions, the painting vanishes and the case takes a darker turn.
The woman in the portrait is linked to an unsolved disappearance from twenty years ago—that of Margot Grayson, who was last seen in the orbit of powerful art collector Edward Brannon.
As Annie and Swift dig deeper, they realise someone is determined to keep Margot’s story buried. Witnesses are silenced. The past is rewritten. And then, another body appears—posed like a work of art.
Somewhere in Eliza’s stolen painting lies the truth. A truth someone is willing to kill for.
Can O’Malley and Swift find the ghost portrait and find Eliza’s killer before one of their team becomes the next macabre exhibition?The Ghost The twelfth instalment in the best-selling O'Malley & Swift series, is a thrilling cat and mouse tale of obsession and fantasy. Perfect for readers of Alex Smith, JD Kirk, and LJ Ross.
266 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 4, 2025
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13 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
August 29, 2025
Favourite Quote: Anyone who has seen it is at risk. Annie’s stomach dropped. Her mind flashed to the painting, to Margot’s bruised face, half-buried under layers of paint. To Vivienne, dead in her gallery. To Eliza, lifeless on her studio floor. To Page, missing. The feeling that something had been watching her. She hadn’t believed it before, putting the eerie feelings down to being tired or stressed or in the wrong place at the wrong time. Clara’s voice was quiet, barely above a breath. Margot won’t stop until the truth is out.
Favourite Quote: Annie’s breath hitched. Because Margot’s face had changed. The unfinished painting was gone, replaced by something raw and haunting and complete. Margot wasn’t just staring out from the canvas. She was afraid. Her eyes wide and terrified. Her body told a different story, too. Dark smudges lined her wrists and upper arms, her eye sockets and cheek bones, barely visible but unmistakable as bruises. Annie’s stomach twisted. Eliza hadn’t painted Margot as a muse. She had painted her as a victim.
From the moment I turned the first page, The Ghost Portrait sunk its claws into me and refused to let go. KT Galloway has crafted a mystery so chilling, so utterly mind-bending, that I found myself whispering ‘what the hell’ more times than I could count. The eerie portrait that Eliza painted, it’s not just art, it’s a puzzle steeped in secrets, shifting right before my eyes as though whispering its own twisted truth.
Every revelation sent shivers racing down my spine. Could someone truly be scared to death? What exactly happened to Eliza? And why was she covering Margot’s bruises in the portrait right before her own death? Was she trying to bury the past or expose the truth? Brennon’s obsession with the painting only deepened the mystery, pulling me into its tangled web of deceit and unanswered questions.
The tip-offs? Unbelievable. The theories? Wild. And Detective Page’s disappearance? Just one more piece of this chaos that had me furiously flipping pages, desperate to unravel the nightmare. Then Clara, dear god, Clara, why would she slice her own head open? And her mother, preserved like some grotesque museum artifact? I was speechless.
Yet, amid all the horror, The Ghost Portrait delivers moments of sheer brilliance and unexpected hilarity. The banter between Annie and Joe! Wow! The Major Investigation Unit adds a dash of dry wit to the relentless tension. It instantly reminded me of Superintendent Clare’s team from Alex Smith’s DCI Kett series, those detectives and their unwavering obsession with chocolate. I could practically see Clare unwrapping a Bounty Easter Egg mid-investigation, unfazed by chaos, because some cravings are stronger than fear. And Tink? If she actually ends up with that special someone, she’ll be Tink Harbell. Tinkerbell. Absolutely hilarious that I couldn’t stop laughing.
But make no mistake, this book isn’t just a thriller, it’s a psychological labyrinth that tightens around you with every page. It far surpasses Bleeding Hearts in sheer suspense, sending shivers down my spine and dragging me to the brink of madness. Galloway knows exactly how to weave a story that grips your soul and refuses to let go. It’s not just a haunting thrill ride, it’s the kind that leaves you breathless, staring at the final page, wondering how the hell you’re supposed to move on from here.
Favourite Quote: Annie’s breath hitched. Because Margot’s face had changed. The unfinished painting was gone, replaced by something raw and haunting and complete. Margot wasn’t just staring out from the canvas. She was afraid. Her eyes wide and terrified. Her body told a different story, too. Dark smudges lined her wrists and upper arms, her eye sockets and cheek bones, barely visible but unmistakable as bruises. Annie’s stomach twisted. Eliza hadn’t painted Margot as a muse. She had painted her as a victim.
From the moment I turned the first page, The Ghost Portrait sunk its claws into me and refused to let go. KT Galloway has crafted a mystery so chilling, so utterly mind-bending, that I found myself whispering ‘what the hell’ more times than I could count. The eerie portrait that Eliza painted, it’s not just art, it’s a puzzle steeped in secrets, shifting right before my eyes as though whispering its own twisted truth.
Every revelation sent shivers racing down my spine. Could someone truly be scared to death? What exactly happened to Eliza? And why was she covering Margot’s bruises in the portrait right before her own death? Was she trying to bury the past or expose the truth? Brennon’s obsession with the painting only deepened the mystery, pulling me into its tangled web of deceit and unanswered questions.
The tip-offs? Unbelievable. The theories? Wild. And Detective Page’s disappearance? Just one more piece of this chaos that had me furiously flipping pages, desperate to unravel the nightmare. Then Clara, dear god, Clara, why would she slice her own head open? And her mother, preserved like some grotesque museum artifact? I was speechless.
Yet, amid all the horror, The Ghost Portrait delivers moments of sheer brilliance and unexpected hilarity. The banter between Annie and Joe! Wow! The Major Investigation Unit adds a dash of dry wit to the relentless tension. It instantly reminded me of Superintendent Clare’s team from Alex Smith’s DCI Kett series, those detectives and their unwavering obsession with chocolate. I could practically see Clare unwrapping a Bounty Easter Egg mid-investigation, unfazed by chaos, because some cravings are stronger than fear. And Tink? If she actually ends up with that special someone, she’ll be Tink Harbell. Tinkerbell. Absolutely hilarious that I couldn’t stop laughing.
But make no mistake, this book isn’t just a thriller, it’s a psychological labyrinth that tightens around you with every page. It far surpasses Bleeding Hearts in sheer suspense, sending shivers down my spine and dragging me to the brink of madness. Galloway knows exactly how to weave a story that grips your soul and refuses to let go. It’s not just a haunting thrill ride, it’s the kind that leaves you breathless, staring at the final page, wondering how the hell you’re supposed to move on from here.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 30, 2025
Book 12 in the popular O'Malley and Swift series finds the duo investigating the murder of an artist. The pacing is steady throughout, creating a bit of suspense and tension. I liked the characterisation and the plotting but I felt it was just a little bit unbelievable. Other than that, it is a good psychological thriller which I am sure fans will enjoy.
June 2, 2025
O'Malley & Swift books work the best when there is plenty of Tink, Page,Robins and of course Annie and Swift... and NO Mim and the deranged O'Malley clan.
This was a fantastic and spooky read - with great suspects until they weren't and nice ghosts until they weren't!
Really looking forward to the next one!
This was a fantastic and spooky read - with great suspects until they weren't and nice ghosts until they weren't!
Really looking forward to the next one!
April 1, 2025
Excellent read....one of my favourite O'Malley & Swift books. Lots of excitement and suspense...a real page turner. I highly recommend this series, it has fantastic storylines and the best characters. One of my favourite UK Crime series overall.
May 11, 2025
Brilliant crime thriller
Love all the characters as always loving the story in the series so far 👌 gripping from beginning to end. Kept me on the edge of my seat, and I can't wait for next in series.
Love all the characters as always loving the story in the series so far 👌 gripping from beginning to end. Kept me on the edge of my seat, and I can't wait for next in series.
April 8, 2025
Brilliant
Every on of these books are epic with plenty of twist and turns .I've read everyone now and can't wait for the next
Every on of these books are epic with plenty of twist and turns .I've read everyone now and can't wait for the next
April 24, 2025
Creepy! Nice twist at the end too.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews