Architect and teacher Jamie Ramsgill leaves Europe to return to
Philadelphia to work for a friend, commercial architect David Laycutt.
However, instead of starting his new job, Jamie learns that David withdrew
$75,000 from the company and is now missing. Jamie, who has been successful
twice before in solving mysteries, agrees to search for his missing friend.
...... At the same time, Jamie's sister-in-law has just authenticated as an
original, a portrait of his mistress by the renowned artist Thomas Eakins.
Jamie soon realizes that the painting and his friend's disappearance are
linked, but that does not help him find David. Instead, Jamie finds himself
under suspicion for a brutal murder that he thinks David committed. If Jamie
fails to uncover the truth soon, he may find more than his reputation
tarnished. He may find himself spending some time as a guest of the city Of
Brotherly Love.
....... EAKINS' MISTRESS is a fast-paced novel that actually employs two
mysteries: a Victorian age and a contemporary period. The characters are all
fun to observe and readers will especially enjoy following the exploits of
Jamie. However, there is a bit too many turns at the very end of the book
that unnecessarily complicates the story's wrap-up. Still, fans will enjoy
the further adventures of Jamie Ramsgill in what is after all a very
interesting reading adventure.
......Harriet Klausner