June 4, 2013 / Leslie

Review and Giveaway: Restrike by Reba White Williams

Restrike
by Reba White Williams

Genre: Mystery
Publisher: Delos
Publish Date: June 1, 2013
Format: Paperback | 350 pages
Rating: 4½ of 5

Restrike is book one in a new mystery series starring cousins Coleman and Dinah Green and set in the New York art world. Coleman is the editor and owner of ArtSmart, an influential magazine, and Dinah has recently opened her own print gallery in Greenwich Village.

Mysterious billionaire Heyward Bain arrives on the scene with plans to open a print museum. Coleman sees the opportunity to snag an interview with him while Dinah is trying to sell him some of her gallery’s prints. Sales are down and she could use the income. She would like to move her gallery to a better location but is encountering resistance from her jealous husband who has provided the financing for her current gallery.

After some rare, expensive prints that haven’t been seen in years show up at auction, the seller is found dead, setting off a series of events. Meanwhile, many of Coleman’s ideas are showing up in a rival magazine before she can publish them. One of her employees is selling her ideas, but who did it? Then one of her employees turns up dead and soon Coleman is fearing for her own safety as she begins to ask questions someone doesn’t want answered.

When it comes to fine art I know what I like when I see it, but I don’t know much about the art world itself or the terminology, such as the word ‘restrike’.

re·strike –
a new print made from an old lithographic stone, metal engraving, woodcut, or the like.

The meaning of the book’s title soon becomes apparent when supposedly old prints begin to show up on the market and are in pristine condition. The author’s extensive background in art shines through as she creates an informative, detailed, yet never overwhelming world in the New York art scene.

Coleman and Dinah are well-developed and interesting characters. As we learn more about their background we learn how Coleman became a strong, independent woman while newly married Dinah is just beginning to discover her own resolve.

It didn’t take me long to become fully engaged in the plot. Fast-paced and energetic, this a page-turner that’s hard to put down. The mystery builds along several story lines, eventually coming together as the connections between the characters are exposed.

A good choice for an enjoyable summer read.

Giveaway Information

The giveaway is open to those 18 years of age or older with a US mailing address. To enter, leave a comment on or before June 15, 2013. For an extra entry tweet or blog the giveaway and leave the link in your comment. I will draw a random winner who will be contacted by email and have 48 hours to respond.

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Visit the author's website for more information. Click HERE for the tour schedule.