Five Star First Edition Mystery - Artistic License - Hardcover

Julie A. Hyzy

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 1594141126 ISBN 13: 9781594141126

Publisher: Five Star, 2004

Synopsis

Two months ago Annie Callaghan thought she'd planned for every contingency. After five years in a bad marriage she filed for divorce, began to pursue her dreams of being a full-time artist, and quit her job to work for herself. Now, well on her way to a brand-new start with her mural painting business and her handsome new client, life finally holds promise again. But, as she finds out, things are not always what they seem. An unexpected pregnancy and the intrusion of her loser, soon-to-be-ex-husband back into her world send things into a tailspin. Determined to get back on track and get her life together by using a little artistic license, Annie inadvertently puts events in motion that sweep her into a maelstrom of intrigue involving a stolen masterpiece, a powerful lawyer with questionable connections, and a murder for which she's the prime suspect.

Julie A. Hyzy lives in Chicago's southwest suburbs.

About this title

From Publishers Weekly

Set in Chicago, Hyzy's smooth, well-paced debut features a vulnerable but resilient heroine, among other credible and diverting characters. Newly embarked on her career as a muralist, Annie Callaghan is dismayed to discover that she's pregnant, having been seduced by her soon-to-be-exhusband, Gary Randall. A charming cad, Gary gets Annie to bail him out of jail and soon moves back in with her. Meanwhile, Annie has agreed to paint a wall at Millie's Ice Cream Parlour, an old-fashioned soda fountain, for the attractive new owner, Sam Morgan, who proves to be a most sympathetic friend as well as employer. When a breezy customer of Millie's, Gina DeChristopher, hires Annie to paint a playroom for her sons in her elegant house, Gina even offers the professional services of her husband, an intimidating lawyer with a substantial art collection. The tension builds with the theft of a Dürer drawing worth $10 million on its way to the Chicago Art Institute, a kidnapping and a murder whose chief suspect is Annie herself. Romance and cozy fans will particularly go for this adroitly plotted tale.
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From Booklist

Hyzy's debut novel is at least 50 pages too long, yet through the grace of her compelling heroine, it manages to keep readers' attention until the end. Annie Callaghan is striking out in new directions--divorcing her loser husband, Gary, and starting a new career as a mural painter. In a lucky break, she gets a painting job near her home in the Chicago suburbs at an ice cream store that just happens to be owned by a hunk named Sam. Breaking the good-fortune bubble, Annie discovers that a drunken one-nighter with her ex has resulted in pregnancy. And to make matters worse, Gary is killed while trying to rob one of Annie's wealthy clients. Although it's hard to believe someone as pretty and cool as Annie would have become involved with a lowlife like Gary, her credibility is bolstered by her continued desire to divorce him--even after finding out she is carrying his child. And while Annie's romance with Sam is predictable, Hyzy makes it fun to watch. Watch for more Annie Callaghan novels; this could become a fine series. Jenny McLarin
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

About this edition

• Publisher: Five Star
• Publication date: 2004
• ISBN 10: 1594141126
• ISBN 13: 9781594141126
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 336