An unusual mystery set against a backdrop of the art world, as greedy heirs of a recently deceased and very rich painter, tell secrets and lies to the institution that handles their inheritance and trust fund. Throw in a missing painting or two, a sub-plot of dodgy designer watches and some even dodgier hangers on, and it becomes a bit of a romp around the haunts of the rich in Europe. The characters and the dialogue keep it all interesting.

This is a clever, entertaining, wry comedy of manners set in the art world, which is well written, and with what seems an insider's knowledge of the dealings described. I found the story totally compelling, perceptive... and hilarious - of the milieu, the events, and the characters depicted. I totally fell for the Courtauld's 30-something professor sleuth, Corey Templeton, and his alumna sidekick (sidekick?! she IS the brainy one really) Waverley Smith, PhD. I am interested in art and it was great fun to see connections with lives of artists one knows about (Freud, Picasso...) and the work of actual galleries (the three Collarii brothers made me think of the Nahmads).

The storyline revolves around the shock of discovering that one big, important yet uncatalogued painting in the oeuvre of recently disappeared maestro, Gustave Post, has come up for auction without the knowledge of the art gallery dealers in charge of managing the artist's estate. Who is behind this sale - family or foe or both? Where has this major painting been all these (more than 40) years hidden? What were the circumstances of its creation? All is worked out, bit by interesting bit, in the course of the novel by Corey and Waverley. And yes, I have not yet mentioned Eros. Eros is ever present in a myriad ways... it did impinge in the work itself, it does in the investigation, and it is dealt with in a totally perfect manner. No spoilers.

This is the third novel of a trilogy about the art scene by G J Babb. I have tried to learn more about the author but, like Elena Ferrante, (s)he rejects biography. Nevertheless, this is what I found in two online bookshops by way of bio: "GJ Babb was educated at a school so rural it was often referred to as ‘half a mile from England'. The experience informed Babb’s belief that to be truly observant, the eye needs anonymity." and "GJ Babb was educated at a school so rural it was often referred to as 'half a mile from England'. The experience informed Babb's belief that to be truly observant, the eye needs anonymity." You see the style...

With many thanks to Matador via NetGalley for this excellent, satirical novel