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Portrait of Conspiracy
What happens in Paris does not stay in Paris. A police detective places her career at risk, when she decides to help a wealthy man search for a woman who has been missing for seven years. Philip Lewellan discovers a mysterious painting. He’s sure it’s proof his missing wife is alive … and may be living somewhere with a child, his daughter. The thought of being a father is more than enough to get Philip to turn to the one person who might believe him. Sandra Copeland, the original detective assigned to the missing-persons case, chased far too many bogus leads, after Philip—against her advice—offered a million dollar reward. Legitimate private investigators quit taking Philip’s money. Nothing could be found, or any evidence to indicate Renée might be alive. Copeland is not about to reopen an inactive seven-year-old missing-persons case based on what could only be another bogus lead. That is, until she sees a photo of the oil painting Philip has found in a New York art gallery. Their investigation unearths a staggering conspiracy impossible to believe, or to ignore. This gripping tale mixes elements of mystery, romance, and danger, bringing a thrilling new twist to an old tale of greed and vice.
353 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 26, 2013
22 people are currently reading
28 people want to read
About the author
J.M. Davis
9 books8 followersJim Davis is the author of Portrait of Conspiracy, Tough As They Come, A Woman To Die For, Murder and Mayham, The Ghost of Leonard Korn, No Tears For Jack, Prom Friday, The Durley Incident, and The Storekeeper.
Over a period of two decades, he traveled to over twenty foreign countries and made the first cellular telephone call in the country of Russia. In 1988, he thought he'd found Elvis alive on the Island of Tortola. Awakened from a dream, he learned an Elvis Impersonator had begun singing in the bar located directly beneath his second floor room.
Jim lives with his wife in the Boston Mountains. He writes mystery/suspense novels, novellas, and short stories.
Over a period of two decades, he traveled to over twenty foreign countries and made the first cellular telephone call in the country of Russia. In 1988, he thought he'd found Elvis alive on the Island of Tortola. Awakened from a dream, he learned an Elvis Impersonator had begun singing in the bar located directly beneath his second floor room.
Jim lives with his wife in the Boston Mountains. He writes mystery/suspense novels, novellas, and short stories.
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
December 11, 2013
An edge of your seat tale, loaded with plenty of nail-biting twists and turns, awaits mystery-loving readers in Portrait of Conspiracy.
Multi-millionaire Philip Lewellan couldn’t have been more devastated when, after his pregnant wife went missing seven years ago, not even a one million dollar reward could help locate them. But now, after all these years, when an oil painting of a woman who looks just like Renee, and a young girl – the right age to be his daughter - is seen on a brochure, his overwhelming need to try to locate them returns. Desperate, he calls on the one person he trusts the most, Dallas Detective Sandra Copeland. Removed from the case years ago, she - with only proof of a picture and Philip’s confidence that it is all real – will risk her job, and her life, to help him.
From the very beginning, Philip and Sandra will be shocked by murders, secrets, and lies, even as they hunt down suspects, analyze evidence and grow closer. As a conspiracy unfolds, faith will be tested.
Author Jim Davis does an outstanding job of leading his characters on this trip of suspense and intrigue to an ending readers will be pleased with. A fast-paced plot, his story builds with each new setting and turn of events perfectly timed and choreographed so that the reader never loses interest, but becomes more engrossed.
Portrait of Conspiracy by J. M. Davis has all the hallmarks of a good mystery/suspense novel. Recommended for young adults and up.
Multi-millionaire Philip Lewellan couldn’t have been more devastated when, after his pregnant wife went missing seven years ago, not even a one million dollar reward could help locate them. But now, after all these years, when an oil painting of a woman who looks just like Renee, and a young girl – the right age to be his daughter - is seen on a brochure, his overwhelming need to try to locate them returns. Desperate, he calls on the one person he trusts the most, Dallas Detective Sandra Copeland. Removed from the case years ago, she - with only proof of a picture and Philip’s confidence that it is all real – will risk her job, and her life, to help him.
From the very beginning, Philip and Sandra will be shocked by murders, secrets, and lies, even as they hunt down suspects, analyze evidence and grow closer. As a conspiracy unfolds, faith will be tested.
Author Jim Davis does an outstanding job of leading his characters on this trip of suspense and intrigue to an ending readers will be pleased with. A fast-paced plot, his story builds with each new setting and turn of events perfectly timed and choreographed so that the reader never loses interest, but becomes more engrossed.
Portrait of Conspiracy by J. M. Davis has all the hallmarks of a good mystery/suspense novel. Recommended for young adults and up.
February 18, 2014
Read the full review at http://mysterysequels.com/portrait-of...
The story follows Philip Lewellan who has lost his wife (who disappeared) some 7 years ago. He never gave up on her and literally drove the police crazy with all the leads (most of them false) that he gave them over the first few years. He spent millions on an army of private investigators who had the unsuccessful job of finding Renee, his wife.
7 years after her disappearance, Philip came across a new lead in the form of a brochure which had a painting with someone who looked just like his wife, now with a small child. Philip now is sure that this is his wife indeed, and asks the previous police investigator, Sandra Copeland, to help try to find his wife.
Sandra was the main detective on the case and was literally flooded with tons of false leads he kept her busy with, so she was not too thrilled to hear from him again after all these years.
This time, however, something tells her that this is worth following up anyway. The more she investigates, the more she really wants to help him find his wife, hoping that she can finally close this old case as well.
Overall I loved the book and I wouldn’t hesitate to read more by this author. A well written mystery that keeps you at the edge of your seat while rooting for the main characters, along with a conclusion that doesn’t disappoint. What can you want more from a book in your favorite genre to entertain you?
The story follows Philip Lewellan who has lost his wife (who disappeared) some 7 years ago. He never gave up on her and literally drove the police crazy with all the leads (most of them false) that he gave them over the first few years. He spent millions on an army of private investigators who had the unsuccessful job of finding Renee, his wife.
7 years after her disappearance, Philip came across a new lead in the form of a brochure which had a painting with someone who looked just like his wife, now with a small child. Philip now is sure that this is his wife indeed, and asks the previous police investigator, Sandra Copeland, to help try to find his wife.
Sandra was the main detective on the case and was literally flooded with tons of false leads he kept her busy with, so she was not too thrilled to hear from him again after all these years.
This time, however, something tells her that this is worth following up anyway. The more she investigates, the more she really wants to help him find his wife, hoping that she can finally close this old case as well.
Overall I loved the book and I wouldn’t hesitate to read more by this author. A well written mystery that keeps you at the edge of your seat while rooting for the main characters, along with a conclusion that doesn’t disappoint. What can you want more from a book in your favorite genre to entertain you?
April 24, 2014
A wow of a book! Really, just superb. Something of a mystery, something of a thriller lite, something of a love story without all the gooey smoochie stuff, a little bit of blood, a LOT of action, and an ending that we can smell coming but love anyway.
Beautifully written, cleverly plotted, nicely paced. What can I say? I loved it. Great book. Go read it, I assure you, it will truly tickle your toenails.
Beautifully written, cleverly plotted, nicely paced. What can I say? I loved it. Great book. Go read it, I assure you, it will truly tickle your toenails.
December 3, 2025
3.5 Stars
March 9, 2015
Phillip knows his wife and daughter are alive
Phillip Lewellan's pregnant wife disappeared. From the beginning he tries convincing the police that they are alive and he did nothing to harm them. Seven years later he gets on a plane and the young lady next to him has an art brochure. One of the portraits is his wife and his precious child. He has to get to the art gallery right away. He calls the lead detective on the case,Sandra, and says he proof they are alive. The case has become inactive and needs to be active again. Phillip wants to show Sandra they are alive after 7 years. Even though she is not supposed to work on the case she agreed to help him. What will they find ? Is it really Renee his missing wife? They have followed so many false leads. Can it be true? Phillip will follow any clue and spend as much money as it takes to find his wife and child. This story is a well written, well crafted, page turner. All the twists and turns keep you guessing. Definitely an intriguing 5 star read. I was given a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Phillip Lewellan's pregnant wife disappeared. From the beginning he tries convincing the police that they are alive and he did nothing to harm them. Seven years later he gets on a plane and the young lady next to him has an art brochure. One of the portraits is his wife and his precious child. He has to get to the art gallery right away. He calls the lead detective on the case,Sandra, and says he proof they are alive. The case has become inactive and needs to be active again. Phillip wants to show Sandra they are alive after 7 years. Even though she is not supposed to work on the case she agreed to help him. What will they find ? Is it really Renee his missing wife? They have followed so many false leads. Can it be true? Phillip will follow any clue and spend as much money as it takes to find his wife and child. This story is a well written, well crafted, page turner. All the twists and turns keep you guessing. Definitely an intriguing 5 star read. I was given a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
May 12, 2017
I remember reading this book and thought I had written a brief review of it, but I can't find it. My memories of this book wasn't very good. The premise of the book -- the missing wife and child whom the husband is sure is alive. When he spots a portrait of them in an art gallery, it starts off the chase to find them. However, the plot was thin, the supposed romance between the two main characters was lukewarm and hardly there at all. In fact, there eventual pairing was a complete surprise to me that is how nonexistent it was. The rest of the story was ho-hum. The main character was, of course, extremely wealthy and could afford to buy anything he wanted and jet off anywhere in the world he wanted to go. There was no depth to the character. I see others gave it more stars than I did, but the story did not resonate with me.
October 27, 2014
We received a free copy of this book in return for an honest review to be posted to The Review Hart
This is a book for people who enjoy confused romances. This book markets itself as a thriller, yet the story is primarily a romance. A contrived romance, at that. The plot is slow and confused, and to top it off the author insists on making that worse by head-hopping. This could work as a romance with some refinement, but it lacks all of the tension that is inherent to all thrillers. The characters are nothing more than tired clichés, and the ending can be spotted from a dozen miles off. All in all, this book is confused, slow, and flat.
Full Review Available Here
This is a book for people who enjoy confused romances. This book markets itself as a thriller, yet the story is primarily a romance. A contrived romance, at that. The plot is slow and confused, and to top it off the author insists on making that worse by head-hopping. This could work as a romance with some refinement, but it lacks all of the tension that is inherent to all thrillers. The characters are nothing more than tired clichés, and the ending can be spotted from a dozen miles off. All in all, this book is confused, slow, and flat.
Full Review Available Here
August 3, 2016
Overall an excellent book with gripping narrative and unexpected plot turns and twist. The reason I did not give it five stars was that the ending felt a bit rushed and left me, as the reader, flat when I finished reading. Perhaps this could be improved with more development of the new relationship or some sense of closure about what happened to the former wife at the end.
Graham Wilson
Author of The Old Balmain House
Graham Wilson
Author of The Old Balmain House
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews