This book was more on the romance side than mystery, having said that there was suspense, and a good story inderlining lost of opportunities of an older women life. It ends well and was satisfactory to read. A bit slow moving but all in all enjoyable

It took several chapters for me to get into this story. Mabel runs an art gallery, selling only paintings from her boyfriend, Roddy. He's turned into a drunk and dead beat, putting her gallery into a precarious position. She jokes with a friend about dead artist's painting selling for high prices and when he disappears one day after they argue, she's a suspect in his disappearance. Part mystery, part romance, Mabel finds her life has left her wanting and sad. As a private investigator hunts for Roddy, she discovers life doesn't end in your 40's.

Roddy and Mabel's relationship had got into a rut. A very deep one and Mabel for one wanted out of it. Roddy had it made. A free place to live in, everything including sex provided and it seemed to have gone on forever. Now Mabel wanted him out. Out he went without a word to anyone not taking anything with him and leaving Mabel relieved on the one hand and unhappy on the other.
At times I was most irritated with Mabel, she did not seem to know what she wanted. She seemed to want to have the cake and eat it as well. But the story did settle down and though it started with a failed romance, it then went on to a murder, a mystery as to who did it and then back again to romance which ended well!

The characters were spot on for this story. A lighthearted read which I enjoyed.