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3.11 AVERAGE
3.11 AVERAGE
Like a [a:Jane Langton|83378|Jane Langton|http://www.goodreads.com/images/nophoto/nophoto-F-50x66.jpg] mystery, this book is an intellectual's mystery, packed with facts regarding Currier & Ives prints, nineteenth century depictions of African-Americans, and miscellaneous background on a variety of artists and lithographs. However, with the exception of one classroom scenario, author [a:Lea Watt|2046475|John Lea Watts|http://www.goodreads.com/images/nophoto/nophoto-U-50x66.jpg] manages to blend seamlessly historical information and mystery. A classic whodunit, complete with multiple motives and false trails. Maggie Summer is a conflicted and interesting protagonist-sleuth, who I look forward getting to know better in the rest of the series.
The core mystery here was moderately interesting, but the writing style turned me off. I did finish just because I wanted to see how it ended, but didn't really enjoy the experience as a whole. It felt like being handheld the whole time and not allowed to just come to your own conclusions about the meaning of conversations and events that happened.
There is simply not enough character development to make the plot make sense!
I was very impatient with the main character by the end. She withholds evidence for absolutely no reason and I find that maddening behavior. It's very odd to have a fiction narrative include birth and death dates for artists in parentheses.