Ghosts of Painting Past (An Aurora Anderson Mystery)
by Sybil Johnson
My Review
Christmas in Vista Beach in sunny California is filled with sandmen instead of snowmen in the new Aurora Anderson cozy mystery, Ghosts of Painting Past. Rory is working on a programming job in her home office when a body is found across the street during the teardown of the Zeppelin House. Along with the skeleton, a tole-painted heart was also found. Who was the victim? Why was he killed? What other dominos will fall within the town now that the body has been unearthed? When Rory’s father, Swan, is suspected of the crime, Rory must work with her best friend real estate agent, Liz, to solve the mystery. All while not angering her detective boyfriend, Martin.
I utterly adored that the conclusion of Ghosts of Painting Past tied up every loose end of the plot. There were so many different mysteries here that I was impressed that the author provided a clear end to each of them in the last few chapters. While discovering whodunit wasn’t very difficult, I enjoyed meeting the Anderson clan and respected their family’s closeness. Rory’s nervousness about meeting her boyfriend Martin’s parents is understandable and thoroughly relatable. Growing up in my own Los Angeles County beach community, I can assure everyone that it is very realistic (though I never created a sandman—because to Californians, the 50-degree Winter weather on the beach is freezing and best avoided, lol). I loved the characters in this book and will be anxiously awaiting the next book in the series. 4 stars!
Thanks to Henery Press and Edelweiss+ for a copy in exchange for my honest review.
Don’t forget to enter the giveaway below for one of three copies of the Kindle book!
About Ghosts of Painting Past
Ghosts of Painting Past (An Aurora Anderson Mystery)
Cozy Mystery
5th in Series
Henery Press (November 19, 2019)
Paperback: 264 pages
ISBN-10: 1635115590
ISBN-13: 978-1635115598
Digital ASIN: B07XC3DXGN
It’s Christmastime in the quiet Los Angeles County city of Vista Beach, home of computer programmer and tole-painting enthusiast Aurora (Rory) Anderson. The magic of the season fills the air as residents enjoy school concerts, a pier lighting ceremony and the annual sand-snowman contest.
During the weeks leading up to Christmas, Rory plans on painting ornaments to sell at the local craft fair and joining in on the holiday fun. But she finds the season anything but jolly after the house across the street is torn down, revealing a decades old crime. Past meets present when her father is implicated in the murder.
Fearing for her father’s future, Rory launches her own investigation, intent on discovering the truth and clearing his name.
About Sybil Johnson
Sybil Johnson’s love affair with reading began in kindergarten with “The Three Little Pigs.” Visits to the library introduced her to Encyclopedia Brown, Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle and a host of other characters. Fast forward to college where she continued reading while studying Computer Science. After a rewarding career in the computer industry, Sybil decided to try her hand at writing mysteries. Her short fiction has appeared in Mysterical-E and Spinetingler Magazine, among others. Originally from the Pacific Northwest, she now lives in Southern California where she enjoys tole painting, studying ancient languages and spending time with friends and family.
Website: www.authorsybiljohnson.com
Facebook Author page: www.facebook.com/sybiljohnsonauthor
Twitter: www.twitter.com/sybiljohnson19
GoodReads: www.goodreads.com/SybilJohnson
Purchase Links – Amazon Kindle – Amazon Paperback – Kobo
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