Red Hot

by Audrey Friend

Autumn Hills' community librarian Julie Simms has just published her late mother's beloved bedtime tales about Songbird, a covert government agent. Once Songbird hits the bookstores, chaos hits the fan That's when she learns the exciting stories she loved so much as a child had been her mother's real assignments for the Art Information and Collection Agency, an organization that locates stolen art and recovers it by stealing it back. Julie learns from former AICA director that both her parents were agents, and each killed on separate missions while recovering the painting PORTRAIT OF ISABELLA. He fears for her safety and vows to find the Portrait, but falls victim before he does. As Julie sets out to find it on her own, former AICA agents, and a charming, sexy art thief storm into her life. She finds each has a tie to her parents, and one could very well be the killer. The bright spot in Julie's life is Josh Bender, the adorable guy who has moved into the apartment across from her. He's doing his best to win her heart and her trust, but Josh might be too good to be true. As Julie travels through the world of art thieves, art forgers, and illicit collectors, she reveals the truth about her parents, the agents, Josh, and herself.

Genres: Mystery

232 pages, Hardcover

First published April 17, 2008

Reviews

[Glen · Rating 3 out of 5]

A mild mannered librarian writes a book about the thrilling bedtime stories her mother used to tell her. It turns out that those weren't just stories, they were accounts of true events. Now a whole bunch of people are after her, and she has to find a missing painting.

Implausible, but entertaining.

[Kelli · Rating 3 out of 5]

I like the concept. Kind of Mission Impossible ish — Secret spies. I would say moments are less hashed out or expanded on reading the first few chapters. The pace goes quick though, to getting us to the ‘my mom was a spy and her stories are real’ plot.
Their is sometimes a feeling of inconsistency in the story. So much going on at first. Is it about her mom and her stories, or the French guy that shows up. Then the neighbor shows up.
Dialog sometimes doesn’t fit the seriousness or narrative of a dangerous spy career or art thief career. It’s a bit cheesy in parts of not as believable. But I did like the storyline and the intrigue side of it.

[Joy H. · Rating 4 out of 5]

I met the author, Audrey Friend, at the Chronicle Book Fair in Glens Falls, NY, 10/08. She was part of a lively panel of mystery writers known as the Mavens of Mayhem.

Audrey's book, _Red Hot_, was fun to read. I like her easy conversational style. She hooks the reader right away at the start of the mystery. I like that. I enjoyed peeking behind the scenes in the world of art theft. A good read.

[Nancy Brady · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a fun mystery that combines romance, art, and undercover agents. When Julie had a book published featuring the bedtime tales her mother told her when she was young, she didn't realize it would get her into trouble. Moreover, she didn't realize she would be following the path of her parents who were killed looking for a lost painting. Will the painting be found before others are killed? Has Julie become too involved looking for it, and who can trust to help her?

[Marybeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

what a fun read! Started off a bit slow, but once it got going - page turning! Hints of Mary Higgins Clark - not very deep, but a nice indulgence.