Odd story.

I requested this book from NetGalley because the cover reminded me of [b:Death in a Pale Hue|60915259|Death in a Pale Hue (Art Center Mysteries, #1)|Susan Van Kirk|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1651438753l/60915259._SY75_.jpg|96082770]. That is a cozy mystery, and I thought this might be too (what with the protagonist being a woman that must investigate a murder to prove her innocence). It is not a cozy; it’s more akin to a psychological thriller. Without the thriller part.

Nina is an unapproachable character. She doesn’t do friends (which is a mutual thing, I’m sure). She is a participant in an art exhibit, but also a juror. “A kindergartener could have produced a more interesting painting,” she said about a painting she judged. Which is unnecessary scatting and unprofessional commentary.

Later that evening, Nina passes an open door in the hotel hallway and sees a man slumped in a chair. She approaches, but is pushed aside by EMT. Yet, her presence in the room of a man that died a suspicious death makes her a person of interest.

And though the first detective on the scene barely chats with Nina for more than five minutes, the police disclose her name (or her likeness) to the dead man’s next of kin and to the press. WTF? A reporter approaches her at the funeral of the dead man and asks her if she is aware an autopsy is pending.

Autopsy report, I imagine. Customarily, autopsies are done before the funeral. Particularly when the corpse is going to be cremated after.

Before the reporter can ask anymore silly questions Nina is whisked away by a grounds keeper.

Other than a rumour going round that Nina has killed the dead man, nothing happens for two weeks. There isn’t even a follow-up interview with the police. You’d think that would happen if they didn’t really buy in to her ‘I was just passing’ explanation.

The story lacked urgency. And a proper investigation. The detective shows up again after two weeks to tell Nina that he has put a tail on her. Why? Surely a one hour proper interview is going to be more revealing than a three day stake out.

Day one: suspect did not leave apartment all day, ordered Thai food.
Day two: suspect did not leave apartment all day, lights out at …

Then after a month the detective does a house search and wants her fingerprints. After a month! Even though she was present at the crime scene.

Parts of the story are set in 1985 and reveal what is the connection between Nina and the dead man. Things Nina figures out bit by bit too. This interweaving of storylines is good and there should have been more of it than a few chapters in the beginning and one near the end. It also would have worked a lot better if there actually had been some urgency to the story in Nina’s present.

Lastly, can people in fiction please stop using sharp metal objects to open boxes that contain books? Specially people that supposedly work at bookstores.

I read an ARC through NetGalley.