A Fine Art Mystery Series
from Award-Winning Author Paula Darnell
Artistic License to Kill - Book 1 in A Fine Art Mystery Series
Artist Amanda Trent, accompanied by her beloved golden retriever Laddie and her persnickety calico cat Mona Lisa, is determined to start a new life after her husband divorces her to marry a younger woman, but it isn't easy.
After a disastrous interview at the prestigious Roadrunner Gallery in Lonesome Valley, Arizona, far away from her previous home in Kansas City, Amanda's afraid that she'll fail at her new career. But her prospects begin to improve when she's accepted as the newest member of the cooperative gallery.
Then, on her very first day, she discovers Janice, the stern director, has been murdered right in the art gallery, and the Roadrunner's members, including Amanda herself, become suspects. Which gallery member murdered the unpopular director? Or was the killer an outsider with an ax to grind?
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Vanished into Plein Air - Book 2 in A Fine Art Mystery SeriesWho wouldn't want to make a living from her favorite pastime?
Although sometimes self-doubt creeps in along the way, artist Amanda Trent has been striving to do just that, ever since her ex-husband dumped her for a younger woman and she moved to Lonesome Valley, Arizona, to start a new life. So when her friends from the Roadrunner Gallery urge her to join them and world-renown artist Ulysses Durand in a plein air paint-out, she hesitates, fearing that she might not be able to complete a painting in the four-hour time limit.
But everything goes smoothly at the public open-air event—until Ulysses's wife goes missing and he asks Amanda for her help. Has his past come back to haunt the famous artist? With a little help from her nemesis, cranky Lieutenant Belmont, the support of her friends, and the companionship of her furry feline Mona Lisa and her lovable golden retriever Laddie, Amanda tracks a killer who's determined to strike again unless Amanda can save the day
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Hemlock for the Holidays - Book 3 in A Fine Arts Mystery Series
As Lonesome Valley kicks off the holiday season with its annual parade, artist Amanda Trent embraces the Christmas spirit, happy that her family will be coming to town to celebrate the season with her and her loyal pets, Laddie, a friendly golden retriever, and Mona Lisa, an independent calico cat.
Amanda has just one nagging concern: her art sales have stalled, so her checking account is starting to look a bit puny. Her financial woes pale, though, in comparison to her concern when several people eat carrot bars laced with hemlock at the high school's arts and crafts fair, resulting in one unlucky man's death. Was the poisoning an accident, or did someone with evil intent deliberately spike the sweet baked goods?
Leads the police follow don't pan out until Amanda puts the puzzle together. But, sometimes, knowledge can be a dangerous thing. . .
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Killer Art in the Park - Book 4 in A Fine Art Mystery Series
A sunny summer’s day. . .
An art show in the park. . .
How could something so delightful turn so deadly?
When she hears a bone-chilling scream, artist Amanda Trent leaves her booth and rushes through the park to find a horrifying scene. Her friend Pamela is kneeling beside her husband’s body, her hands covered in blood. Amanda’s fear that the police will immediately peg Pamela as their chief suspect comes true when Pamela is arrested for murdering her own husband. But Amanda knows that Pamela is no killer, and she’s determined to prove it.
Encouraged by the support of her friends and bolstered by the companionship of her adorable golden retriever Laddie and her moody calico cat Mona Lisa, Amanda pursues clue after clue, to no avail. She’s running out of leads, and Pamela’s running out of time. Can Amanda discover who the real killer is before Pamela has to call a prison cell her new home?
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When a flirtatious former member bursts into the Roadrunner during a members’ meeting, Amanda and her friends are startled to learn that the beautiful blonde plans to return to their cooperative art gallery. But Monique’s going to bring more than her artwork with her; she’s also about to bring trouble. On her first night back, she makes eyes at a recently married man who ignores his bride to schmooze the newcomer, and that’s just for starters. With a fight over her billionaire husband’s will, a private eye who’s tracking her, a relative who’s had all just about all she can take of Monique’s outrageous behavior, and an ex-boyfriend waiting in the wings, it’s no wonder that Monique decides to take a break to attend a Halloween costume party.
Although her costume wows the guests, the party comes to an abrupt end when Monique takes a dive from a third floor balcony. Amanda’s sure that the unlucky artist was pushed to her death, and, with a houseful of masked party-goers, it’s no easy task to sort out the suspects. But even though she’s busy painting new artwork for an upcoming show while taking care of her lovable golden retriever Laddie and her finicky calico cat Mona Lisa, Amanda can’t resist doing a little sleuthing on the side. She’ll have to hurry, though, if she’s going to catch the killer before someone else suffers the same fate as Monique.
Coming Soon!
