Art Mystery Novel: an artist steals an ancient Chinese bronze bowl in order to return it to China.
Winner San Diego Book Awards, Action/Suspense
Where there is art, there are thieves. Mai Ling is both. Artist by day, thief by night, she recovers stolen art for Interpol. It's a business, not a passion, until her beloved grandfather reveals a family secret that is also a destiny. He is duty-bound to return to China an especially precious bowl which belonged to his ancestor. Mai must steal it for him.
But Mai Ling is not the only one after the bowl. Four others plan to extract the bowl from a private California art collection. The rival thieves grasp and then lose the bowl until finally Mai is faced with the ultimate dilemma: save the bowl or save herself. Her duty to her grandfather gives her only one choice.
Set against the vibrant backdrop of the Monterey Peninsula and peopled with quirky characters, this stylish art caper entertains on every page.
Highly recommended by Lois Wells Santalo in Midwest Book Reviews: "Modern mysteries are all too often lacking in both intrigue and information. Whether police procedurals or horror tales, they focus entirely on action and suspense. . . So it was a real treat to come upon this mystery which actually informs us about the art world of San Francisco and Monterey, and introduces us to its artists, its collectors, and even its thieves. Every page of this book is worth reading."
Carolyn Wheat, author of How to Write Killer Fiction and the Cass Jameson series of mystery novels: "I love this book. The artists of the title are well served by the artistry of Linda Schroeder, whose captivating style brings the Monterey art scene to life in this sophisticated mystery."
Mary Holden, Editor: "Mai Ling is a new kind of detective on the literary scene: smart, beautiful, respectful of her elders and her cultural history. Readers will follow her adventure with a calculated interest in the outcome. Rich with Bay Area scenery and interesting characters, this is a first novel you'll want to share with friends who enjoy antiquities, art techniques, and deception."
