I have really gone around and around with this one trying to settle on how I really felt about "The Painter's Legacy." Within the first 100 pages, I was really engaged in the mystery and the lives of the characters. There were even a few jumps back in time that only enhanced the mystery.

But then the story really started to drag out. Conversations jumped from topic to topic without any real transition. The pacing slowed to a crawl. And I really hope you have a love of Italian food. If you do, you are in luck because you are going to read about it. Every single meal...itemized...in detail. Sigh.

Even then, I thought this was an interesting story. But the last 100 pages had so many conveniences, contrivances and strained motivations that it stretched believability to the breaking point. Then the conclusion wrapped up in the space of about 5 pages ending with the suddenness of a collision with a wall. "The Painter's Legacy" left me experiencing a very long fall with a very sudden stop at the bottom. ( )

So many twists and turns, more than you'd find driving through the mountains in north central Italy. And just when you think you've reached a point where the narrative moves forward, another twist. The Painter's Legacy, which I received as an Early Reviewer, is one of the best mysteries I've read in a long time. The author is a painter of words, and the sights, smells, tastes of this part of Lombardy come to life as you feast your way through the book. I heartily recommend Crellin's novel to anyone who likes mysteries, art history, or Italian settings. ( )

Emma Ducoli is a co-owner at an estate agency with Roberto. Entering the agency, Luca Cortesi has no desire for polite social niceties. His purposeful visit concerns the villa belonging to Luca’s uncle, Gianni Cortesi, the famous local painter, and his wife, Lidia Grieco. The sale is to take place as promptly as possible now that Lidia has passed. Luca is a businessman from Brescia, used to having his directives followed without question. Still, his curt manner in this case is due to frustration that high-valued paintings of his uncle have disappeared without a trace.

I loved my 1st armchair travel when "She Left No Note," and unless I had the opportunity to visit in person, I couldn’t have been more excited to return to Lake Iseo. I liked the surprise in the 'feature' of Emma, earlier a secondary character. I loved Emma’s curiosity and tenacity to unravel the mystery of lost paintings. A fascinating trio of interests evolved as she pursued this quest – relationships, travel, and uncovering family secrets.

As the mystery threads were untangled, I realized I had only guessed one filament from an earlier clue. The well-written novel is skillfully crafted as an artist’s finest masterpiece. Mesmerizing reading. Coming to the end of the story, tears in my eyes, and the word “beautiful” as the last chapter ended.

Highly recommended. ( )