A Painted Smile - Hardcover

Frances Fyfield

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0751555193 ISBN 13: 9780751555196

Publisher: Little, Brown, 2015

Synopsis

Young, rich widow Diana Porteous has inherited a vast collection of paintings, but she feels without purpose again. Then her beloved stepgrandson comes up with the idea for an exhibition of portraits with the title 'A Question of Guilt'. It starts as a joke, but soon they are preparing the huge wine cellar of the old schoolhouse by the sea, in spite of those with misgivings as to its suitability.

Soon Di has plenty to occupy her: a mysterious woman encourages Di and her friend Sarah Fortune, both natural thieves, to steal from a public collection. And then there's the life-drawing class, where an artist dies and someone steals from him, placing his finds in the cellar.

A novel of conundrums, paintings, moral uncertainties and family relationships,A Painted Smilecontinues the adventures of two of Frances Fyfield's most beloved characters and will win over many more fans of quality fiction.

About this title

About the Author:

Frances Fyfield has spent much of her professional life practising as a criminal lawyer, work which has informed her highly acclaimed crime novels. She has been the recipient of both the Gold and Silver Crime Writers'Association Daggers. She is also a regular broadcaster on Radio 4, most recently as the presenter of the series 'Tales from the Stave'. She lives in London and in Deal, overlooking the sea which is her passion.

Review:

A very original take on the classic detective story ... a crime novel with a difference Essentials Magazine Fyfield has long found her way into the upper echelons of crime fiction by the dint of sharp psychological observation and stylish, elegant writing. Casting the First Stone is implacable; Fyfield customarily takes us into the less acceptable areas of her protagonists' behaviour, and here she takes this to a new level of intensity Financial Times Fyfield has been described as the natural successor to American psychological writer Patricia Highsmith...because neither condemns the criminal behavious of their characters. There are some pleasingly unexpected twists as the plot reaches its denouement but it is the pairing of Sarah and Di that makes Casting the First Stone an enjoyable read. Spirited and engaging, the novel ends with the ballsy pair plotting their next heist together. Count us in Sunday Express [A] wonderfully atmospheric tale Shots One of our best crime writers...Dark and twisty, this is an elegant and thrilling read Catholic Herald Like all Fyfield's work, this is an elegant, original and subtle crime novel and highly recommended Literary Review

About this edition

• Publisher: Little, Brown
• Publication date: 2015
• ISBN 10: 0751555193
• ISBN 13: 9780751555196
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 348