The Body in the Gallery

Faith Fairchild #17

by Katherine Hall Page

Faith's catering business has been slow with the downturn of the economy, so when her friend Patsy Avery proposes that she take over the café at Aleford's Ganley Art Museum, it seems like a not-to-be-missed opportunity. And Patsy has an ulterior motive—she discovers that the Romare Bearden piece she lent the museum has been switched with a fake and wants Faith to snoop around to find the culprit.

Life at the museum doesn't stay calm for long and Faith is soon enmeshed in the Ganley's murky past and present as she struggles to make connections among apparently disparate items: the fake Bearden, Pepperidge Farm Goldfish crackers, and a Jane Doe corpse that turns up as an unintended part of an art installation. At home, son Ben, now in the hell known as middle school, becomes involved in a cyberbullying escapade and husband Tom wants his wife to morph into June Cleaver.

Her investigation takes Faith into Boston's art scene and historic Beacon Hill, as well as into the lives behind the façade of the Ganley's very proper board of trustees. She is at her wit's—and almost dead—end, as the killer strikes again, and again.

Genres: Mystery, Cozy Mystery, Fiction, Mystery Thriller, Cozy, Cooking

272 pages, Hardcover

First published April 22, 2008

About the author

Katherine Hall Page is the author of twenty-five previous Faith Fairchild mysteries, the first of which received the Agatha Award for best first mystery. The Body in the Snowdrift was honored with the Agatha Award for best novel of 2006. Page also won an Agatha for her short story “The Would-Be Widower.” The recipient of the Malice Domestic Award for Lifetime Achievement, she has been nominated for the Edgar, the Mary Higgins Clark, the Maine Literary, and the Macavity Awards. She lives in Massachusetts and Maine with her husband.

Reviews

[Jenny · Rating 2 out of 5]

I normally find these outings with Faith to be fluffy but still enjoyable. This book was not Page's best mystery- the premise starts with discovering a painting is a fake and then takes a while to get rolling to the murder itself. (At one point, we learn the history of the Ganley, and I wondered if Sandy Harvey, who was the previous director who died of a heart attack before the new director, Maddy, replaced him, might have been another murder. It wasn't. I am too suspicious sometimes!) Anyway, the body turns out to be a young woman who went by the name of Tess, and she got involved with an entitled young man, Channing, whose grandmother, Harriet, ends up killing Tess because she discovers he's been faking paintings and selling the real things himself. It all resolves in about 3 pages from the end. There's also a couple side stories about Faith's family- her son Ben ends up getting involved with the school bully and running a website that bullies other students; Tom wants Faith to be a Susie Homemaker. I didn't love the Tom storyline.

Also, this version of the book didn't appear to be edited.... characters speak without you knowing they are at the table or come from nowhere (aka Elizabeth Channing at one board lunch). At one point, John Dunne (lead detective who both loathes and appreciates Faith's ability to detect under the radar) refers to the murder victim by her full name, and Faith notes something about how he used her name for the first time- but he had just done that same thing on the page before. A little distracting for me, at any rate.

[Stephanie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Both Faith and Tom were crappy parents in this book.

[Zermeena · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was enjoyable. Faith uses her catering gigs to get clues to a clever museum heist. I was wrong about who committed the murder because there was plot twist at the end. While Faith was trying to solve the mysteries, she was dealing with bad behavior from her adolescent son. I have to say she and Tom missed some glaring warning signs from Ben.

[Judy · Rating 2 out of 5]

Faith expands her business by taking over the local art museum's café in order to look into some art skullduggery that results in a body in the gallery.

Having been with this series from the first book, I truly enjoy that characters - the Fairchild family, Pix & Sam Miller, Will & Patsy Avery, & the others in Aleford. It doesn't bother me that Faith's rather snobbish in matters of cuisine, clothing, and décor. What bothers me in this book is the secondary mystery of what's going on with Ben. I wanted to smack Tom & Faith upside the head for being so oblivious to what was happening. Then I wanted to smack the author upside the head for being so heavy-handed in her treatment of teens and cyber-bullying. I want side plots to fit seamlessly within the overall narrative, not to see the author Telling the Readers Very Important Information. I think the Fairchilds were set up to behave out of character in order for the author to Make a Point. And that's why this book only gets 2 stars from me.

[Laura · Rating 2 out of 5]

Ugh. I really dislike Brand Name writing (where all the nouns are proper nouns, like Sub-Zero and agnes b), and this book was filled with it. The exposition-by-criminal-as-they're-disposing-of-the-detective is another literary device I dislike. Beyond that, the book tried to do too much: mystery, social comment, recipes. I suspect that this is not an author thinking long term but one who realizes the product will be dated (much like Seinfeld reruns).

[Julie Trapp · Rating 2 out of 5]

2 1/2. During a slow time for her catering business, Faith takes over the cafe at the Ganley Art Museum. Her friend Patsy wants her to investigate the fact that the art piece she lent the museum has been switched with a fake. Then a body is found in the goldfish cracker display. Ben is having middle school problems involving cyberbullying. Why does Faith always deal with family problems and Tom ignore family problems to deal with his parishoners? Pretty much unbelievable stuff.

[Clare]

I always enjoy the "Have Faith" books--I usually enjoy one after reading something more serious. This one was okay, although the ending seemed rather abrupt and a couple "red herrings" were unsatisfactorily explained.

[Nolan · Rating 2 out of 5]

Tess (not her real name) dies in a shocking way: naked, shaved, and drowned in a fish tank that doubles as an art installation at a museum. Naturally, Faith Fairchild discovers the body.

Faith runs the museum’s small café to make ends meet. Meanwhile, her friend Patsy Avery asks her to dig into a possibly forged painting.

I usually tune out when books dive into art or art forgery—forge away, steal away, just don’t make me read about it. I genuinely don’t care.

Still, the bizarre murder—shaved and submerged in a fish tank—hooked me and kept me turning pages.

Faith and her husband, Tom, also navigate their middle schooler Ben’s drama. A new kid in town pushes Ben to create a cyberbullying website, adding to their headaches.

Tess isn’t the only victim. The same killer murders her older lover, a museum board trustee.

I suspected the museum director as the culprit, but my bet would’ve cost me if it were real.

Elizabeth Rogers’ stellar narration saves this book from a one-star disaster. Her brilliance lifts it to a shaky two-star rating.

[Lynn Sweet · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have read many, but not all of the Faith Fairchild books over the course of many years. In general they are fun cozy mysteries following Faith as she raises her children, runs her catering business, and oh, by the way solves various murders in the context of her busy life. I haven't read them in order, and there is no need to do that...but it's more fun when you sort of know that characters. I was extremely disappointed in the last Faith book I read, The Body in the Piazza (book 21). It was mostly a travelogue and foodie adventure in Italy...the mystery part was weak. The book I'm reviewing is #17, so written before the Piazza...I hope that Ms. Page gets back on track with her newer releases and gives us more like The Body in the Gallery!

[A.K. Frailey · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book. The story involved a typical Christian family dealing with real-life issues, all the while the mother tries to solve a problem relating to her work, which of course ends up in a murder. Though that scenario is far-fetched, as in every mystery story ever, I liked the way Katherine Hall Page didn't default to the super-woman sleuth and focused instead on her character's family life and the balance she was trying to reach, all the while, attempting to figure out the mystery. Well done. I'll be reading more of her work.

[M · Rating 3 out of 5]

Here is another mystery series. In these most of the mystery and crimes a happen in the Boston area. Faith Fairchild is a caterer and mother to two young children. She is also friendly with the local police which helps when she discovers a dead body. Delicious recipes are included in the books for the aspiring chef. Faith’s catering company is called Have Faith. There is actually even a cookbook published that has all her recipes from each mystery novel called Have Faith in Your Kitchen. Very clever!

[Toby · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another installment of the Faith Fairchild series did not disappoint. I didn’t guess the whodunit, and getting to meet Faith (since the other book in the series I’ve read featured Faith’s BFF Pix) and see Pix in a cameo was kinda nice. Also featured a missing person and some family drama. Overall thumbs up; I recommend this series to anyone who enjoys cozy mysteries with good character building, actual character growth, and a homey New England setting.

[Bianca · Rating 3 out of 5]

WON on GOODREADS. This was my 1st Faith Fairchild Mystery and I enjoyed it, but.... I thought I had to wait too long to get to the murder (chapter 4). The story was "ok" - I thought Faith was too out of touch with her son and that story line was a bit too much. I do want to give anther try at reading another Faith Fairchild Mystery.

[Sherry · Rating 4 out of 5]

#17. Fascinating. Page keeps coming up with intriguing new topics. The Body in the Gallery investigates art fakes being substituted for the genuine painting, a body turning up in a controversial art sculpture, and Faith’s now middle-school son Ben and cyber bullying.
So much info skillfully woven into the storyline. Lots of twists and turns, and surprise ending.

[Amanda · Rating 1 out of 5]

I started reading this book and I couldn't even get through to chapter 3. The first 2 chapters are so boring. I really tried to read this, but I do not like useless information. The first 2 chapters of this book is useless information and does not get into any murder or any close to a murder or finding of a body. I do not think I will try and read any more of these other books.

[Judalon · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun read. I didn't become invested in the characters enough that I'm running out to buy the series, but I enjoyed the time I was with them. I wanted to know more about Tess and maybe more about all the characters. Also, maybe if you're invested in the series then some of the insights I'm missing come from reading the other books. It was an enjoyable read.

[Gail · Rating 5 out of 5]

Museum

Much of this book revolves around an art gallery with the first body found in one of its new art pieces. Faith Fairchild runs the self serve cafeteria in the museum and finds the first body. This is just the start of the unusual happenings

[Peggy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This mystery was a nice escape from everyday life. I was certain that I knew who committed the murder, but it turned out that I was wrong. The story takes place in a small town outside of Boston, which I loved.

[Sheila · Rating 4 out of 5]

Faith is home again working with the locals. There were a lot of characters in this one but still a fun read.

[Joanna · Rating 3 out of 5]

Solid installment in this long-running series.

[Margaret · Rating 4 out of 5]

another excellent read.

[Andi · Rating 3 out of 5]

Comfort read. Unbelievable plot

[Maureen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was good. I enjoyed it. Perfect read for the beach. Easy to read and fun.

[Julie · Rating 3 out of 5]

An okay mystery. Tom acts like an utter jerk throughout most of it and Faith keeps information from the police for absolutely no reason. The ending is extremely rushed and perfunctory.

[Jewett · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good plot. Loved the description of the art. Also, liked the side story of Ben. Middle school age is so tough and this displays it very well.

[Bethany · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great addition to this series. Interesting characters, good stories (Ben, the murder, the gallery, etc.). I really enjoyed the resolutions found in this story (Ben; Tom/Faith; Patsy).

[Deborah Spirlock · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great interaction with characters. Keeps you guessing.

[Lise · Rating 3 out of 5]

Same comment as The Body in the Ivy.

[Antonia Jennings · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a puzzling mystery that captured my interest and had me hanging on every word. This was an excellent plot and excellent writing. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this series and I applaud this author for her inventiveness and realistic situations. A most excellent read!!!!!

[L.E. Fidler · Rating 3 out of 5]

despite a very slow start, this book was actually a decent little mystery. faith was neither perfect nor obnoxious (as i feared she might be based on her name alone). i do have a considerable soft spot for books set in massachusetts, even when the actual locale is "fictionalized" (meaning it's sort of like medford, sort of like alewife, it's aleford!!!). also, the recipes at the end feel a little gimmicky. that said, i'm planning on making red velvet cake very soon.

my biggest complaint isn't necessarily one that can be changed. this is clearly not the first in the faith fairchild series, but this is the first one i've read. several times, hall page refers back to previous mysteries solved by the protag and it felt like an in-joke i was missing out on ("remember that time we did that thing. that was really fun/scary/homicidal."). i'm sorry if i can't get all the mysteries in chrono order from my local library. it's a small branch; they do their best. i have to wait, often, to get them from any branch. and who has the patience or time to dig up the correct order when they're staring at 10 books written by the same author? i don't!
you know, i'm a huge fan of miss marple. she appeared in several mysteries and never once did i feel like i needed backstory to better understand a character or scene.
just sayin'.

also, faith and tom are terrible, terrible parents.

that's all.