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Paint The Devil: A Detective Novel
Family man and long-time cop Matthew Donovan is looking forward to retiring from the Chicago Police force, dealing with his large and diverse brood while indulging his secret passion to become a artist in oil. But when his first lesson at the Chiaroscuro Art Studio snowballs into a murder investigation, he must marshal all his experience to solve the crime.
As if mocking his interest in art, the murderous heart behind the mayhem teases out their dark story on canvas. Someone is slowly completing an image of the Devil, and suspicions fall directly on gallery owner Nita Wilson, his teacher. But Matthew has a hunch it can't be her, and refuses to accept the easy way out.
The strange and satanic painting seems to hold the key to the impossible murders - but can Donovan discover its dark secret before its completion leads to another murder?
Mixing family values with police procedure, a genius child adoption, combative co-workers and cryptic references to outer evil, Paint the Devil lets the private and personal clash with the public and profane, and traces the links between them to their final, surprise conclusions.
As if mocking his interest in art, the murderous heart behind the mayhem teases out their dark story on canvas. Someone is slowly completing an image of the Devil, and suspicions fall directly on gallery owner Nita Wilson, his teacher. But Matthew has a hunch it can't be her, and refuses to accept the easy way out.
The strange and satanic painting seems to hold the key to the impossible murders - but can Donovan discover its dark secret before its completion leads to another murder?
Mixing family values with police procedure, a genius child adoption, combative co-workers and cryptic references to outer evil, Paint the Devil lets the private and personal clash with the public and profane, and traces the links between them to their final, surprise conclusions.
293 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 29, 2016
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Displaying 1 of 1 review
May 19, 2020
Disclaimer: this is my mom's novel, completed about 10 years ago, recently put on Amazon.
A good police procedure with a twist - a focus on retirement, art and painting, and family life.
Family man and long-time cop Matthew Donovan is looking forward to retiring from the Chicago Police force, and reaching his lifelong dream of becoming an oil painter. But his final investigation at the Chiaroscuro Art Studio becomes a murder investigation, he must marshal all his experience to solve the crime. A series of murders are committed, and each time, an oil painting in a lonely house is slowly completed. Suspicions fall directly on gallery owner Nita Wilson, the teacher Matthew had hired to learn to paint. Despite the conflict, Matthew races to discover what message the killer is leaving in the strange and satanic painting. Other highlights include amusing family sequences, a genius child adoption, combative co-workers and cryptic references to evil.
If you like detective stories with lots of internal process, not too violent, and family values, you'll enjoy this book. Readable and pleasurable.
A good police procedure with a twist - a focus on retirement, art and painting, and family life.
Family man and long-time cop Matthew Donovan is looking forward to retiring from the Chicago Police force, and reaching his lifelong dream of becoming an oil painter. But his final investigation at the Chiaroscuro Art Studio becomes a murder investigation, he must marshal all his experience to solve the crime. A series of murders are committed, and each time, an oil painting in a lonely house is slowly completed. Suspicions fall directly on gallery owner Nita Wilson, the teacher Matthew had hired to learn to paint. Despite the conflict, Matthew races to discover what message the killer is leaving in the strange and satanic painting. Other highlights include amusing family sequences, a genius child adoption, combative co-workers and cryptic references to evil.
If you like detective stories with lots of internal process, not too violent, and family values, you'll enjoy this book. Readable and pleasurable.
Displaying 1 of 1 review