What do you think?
Rate this book
Dechansay Bright Mysteries #1
A Crack in the Varnish
Hollywood actress, Esther Langley, has a home in the hills of Provence, an old converted abbey where she keeps her precious art collection. Now she has four paintings in need of one modern work, fire-damaged, and three crumbling old masters. It looks like a straightforward job for an experienced art restorer like Hannah Dechansay, and who wouldn't relish a few months in Provence?
But living and working on Esther's estate isn't easy. It's a tortured household, haunted by a tragic death. There's guilt and recrimination in the air and relationships soon start to unravel. Was the death an accident? Everyone has a different version to tell. There's something sinister going on and everyone, it seems, has something to hide.
But living and working on Esther's estate isn't easy. It's a tortured household, haunted by a tragic death. There's guilt and recrimination in the air and relationships soon start to unravel. Was the death an accident? Everyone has a different version to tell. There's something sinister going on and everyone, it seems, has something to hide.
304 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 21, 2021
1 person is currently reading
5 people want to read
About the author
Kathy Shuker
7 books43 followersI am a British author of absorbing and compelling mysteries, stories of intrigue and long held secrets. I trained as a physiotherapist but a back injury forced me to change career and, after studying design I worked as a freelance artist.
I started writing many years ago and now write full-time. I have written four stand-alone mysteries as well as three novels in the Dechansay Bright Mysteries, a series featuring two itinerant art restorers who become involved in a range of intrigues on their travels.
I live in Devon in southwest England. Art is still a major passion as are the natural world and music. Sadly, despite years of trying, (and the tolerance of both husband and neighbours) mastery of the piano, guitar and fiddle remains as elusive as ever.
Find me on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kathyshukera...
I started writing many years ago and now write full-time. I have written four stand-alone mysteries as well as three novels in the Dechansay Bright Mysteries, a series featuring two itinerant art restorers who become involved in a range of intrigues on their travels.
I live in Devon in southwest England. Art is still a major passion as are the natural world and music. Sadly, despite years of trying, (and the tolerance of both husband and neighbours) mastery of the piano, guitar and fiddle remains as elusive as ever.
Find me on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kathyshukera...
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
June 3, 2021
Once again, masterful storyteller Kathy Shuker brings us into the time, place, and world of her characters and story in a way that is fully enveloping, deeply engaging, and specifically, and sometimes arcanely, compelling.
In every one of her books she’s managed to wrap the narrative in a very unique industry or field, then regales us with such rich detail we feel we’re actually learning something about that arena, whether art curating, the classical music world; the competitiveness of writers, vineyards and wine making, or, in her latest novel, A Crack in the Varnish, the fascinating craft of fine art restoration.
With clear understanding of her settings and story participants, she brings such minute details to the story I always walk away feeling like I’ve not only enjoyed a character-rich, suspense driven, page-turning novel, but learned something new along the way! I always like that, new knowledge, and Shuker seems to excel in that particular narrative touch.
In this story, we follow the journey of experienced art restorer Hannah Dechansay, who’s sent to the stunning Provence estate of established actress, Esther Langely, to restore her antique and, in some cases, fire damaged artwork of great value. As Hannah immerses herself in her assigned tasks, she encounters the “regulars,” all of whom not only share the estate, but seem to share a mysterious and tangled history with Esther, history no one appears willing to clearly, or honestly, explain to Hannah.
But as she gets more involved with her surrounds, including the ancient town with traditions and mysteries of its own, it becomes clear that the lies, hidden truths, and dangerous impulses of those wrapped up in the scenario put her own life in danger, triggering her decision to become a “detective” of sorts.
In her effort to uncover the many mysteries that abound, safe keep the art she’s worked so hard on, as well as keep herself and others she cares about unharmed, she is pulled down many winding, precarious paths, leading to the story’s powerful conclusion.
As with all Shuker’s books, you get pulled in, involved, immersed, and you’re as driven as the characters to see it through, though, always in the case of the reader, with tremendous enjoyment. A high recommend.
In every one of her books she’s managed to wrap the narrative in a very unique industry or field, then regales us with such rich detail we feel we’re actually learning something about that arena, whether art curating, the classical music world; the competitiveness of writers, vineyards and wine making, or, in her latest novel, A Crack in the Varnish, the fascinating craft of fine art restoration.
With clear understanding of her settings and story participants, she brings such minute details to the story I always walk away feeling like I’ve not only enjoyed a character-rich, suspense driven, page-turning novel, but learned something new along the way! I always like that, new knowledge, and Shuker seems to excel in that particular narrative touch.
In this story, we follow the journey of experienced art restorer Hannah Dechansay, who’s sent to the stunning Provence estate of established actress, Esther Langely, to restore her antique and, in some cases, fire damaged artwork of great value. As Hannah immerses herself in her assigned tasks, she encounters the “regulars,” all of whom not only share the estate, but seem to share a mysterious and tangled history with Esther, history no one appears willing to clearly, or honestly, explain to Hannah.
But as she gets more involved with her surrounds, including the ancient town with traditions and mysteries of its own, it becomes clear that the lies, hidden truths, and dangerous impulses of those wrapped up in the scenario put her own life in danger, triggering her decision to become a “detective” of sorts.
In her effort to uncover the many mysteries that abound, safe keep the art she’s worked so hard on, as well as keep herself and others she cares about unharmed, she is pulled down many winding, precarious paths, leading to the story’s powerful conclusion.
As with all Shuker’s books, you get pulled in, involved, immersed, and you’re as driven as the characters to see it through, though, always in the case of the reader, with tremendous enjoyment. A high recommend.
June 10, 2021
I really enjoyed reading this book. Im a big fan of Kathy Shuker and I was looking forward to her new story. She didn’t disappoint me. I liked the French setting, it made me feel on holiday. I liked a lot the Painting Restoration subject, facinating. And I really liked when the story developed into a mystery … I’ll say no more… I give « A Crack in the Varnish » a well deserved 5 star review. I can’t wait for the follow up…
June 15, 2021
Very enjoyable, easy read. The characters were believable and engrossing and the story full of interesting art restoration and mystery solving. Even the love interests weren’t simple. Loved it! Even a hint that the characters could be carried on into another story….?
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews