Portrait of a murder

This promising series launch from Jecks (the Bloody Mary Tudor series) introduces a particularly unlikely amateur gumshoe: British portrait painter Nick Morris. After an opening tease in which Morris is stunned to find a man with his head blown off by a shotgun blast, flashbacks explain how Morris came to know the victim, Jason Robart, an affluent hotel owner. The artist is invited to attend Robart's birthday party by attorney Peter Thorogood, ostensibly to discuss painting Robart's portrait as a present from his wife, but learns later that the real reason for his presence is to give his impressions of his subject's integrity. Thorogood is considering partnering with Robart on a property deal in Colombia, but worries about Robart's possible involvement in shady business dealings, including money laundering. Those concerns prove to be justified, especially after Morris googles Robart and finds that the man, surprisingly, has no online presence. After Robart apparently kills himself while Morris is on his property to complete the portrait, the artist decides to investigate. The light tone is perfectly matched to the gripping plot. This contemporary mystery, Jecks's first non-historical, showcases his wide range. Agent: Joanna Swainson, Hardman & Swainson (U.K.). (Apr.)

Jecks debuts an exciting modern-day protagonist who's a far cry from his historical characters. Attorney Peter Thorogood invites London artist Nick Morris to a party to meet Jason Robart, a hotel owner whose problems are about to explode. Peter says that Jason's partner, the beautiful Elizabeth Cardew, wants a portrait of him, though it's clear that Jason doesn't want to sit for it. Meanwhile, an old friend of Nick's from his salesman days, who's now a banker involved with Peter and Jason in a land-buying scheme in Colombia, wants Nick's opinion of whether the deal is kosher. The promise of a large fee convinces Nick, who's in financial straits, to go to Devon to paint the portrait of the enigmatic and extremely touchy Jason. He quickly learns that the locals despise Jason, who's already conned them out of a good deal of money and is definitely hiding something. Nick falls for Elizabeth, who he's convinced has been the subject of Jason's violently abusive temper. When Jason apparently kills himself with a shotgun, Nick suspects murder even as Peter threatens him and refuses to pay his fee since the painting wasn't finished. Not only is Nick being followed, possibly by Colombians, but he has an unpleasant interview with members of the Russian Mafia who want the millions Jason owes them. When Elizabeth goes missing, the Russians pay Nick to find her. Nick's attempts to help Elizabeth and uncover the truth sink him in a morass of murder. Plenty of action and all-too-plausible suspects hidden in a thicket of duplicity. Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.