Life seems to be just about perfect at the Massasoit College of Art in the picturesque village of Mellingham. Certainly things couldn't be much better for Preston H. Mattson, chairman of the painting department, as the students prepare for a show honoring his work. It hardly matters that Mattson's work is mediocre. As long as he can play the role of expert and get the students to do his bidding, Mattson is satisfied. But there are potential problems at Massasoit too. Work-study student Hank Vinnio is a surprisingly gifted artist. his talent may be enough to threaten Preston Mattson's sense of superiority. New to the area and without close friends, Vinnio has at least one enemy--and perhaps more. Another member of the college community sows unrest and fear just by his presence. Chickie Morelli appears to be indifferent to the effect he has on people. He lingers contentedly on the sidelines, watching and waiting. In town, sculptor Henry Muir has been known for years for his disdain for some of the local artists. Now their mutual animosity moves toward a crisis. When someone at the college is murdered, Chief of Police Joe Silva must study both art and diplomacy as he searches for the killer in a crime that envelops both town and gown.
Author: Susan Oleksiw Publisher: Hale Street Press Published: 10/23/2014 Pages: 232 Binding Type: Paperback Weight: 0.70lbs Size: 9.02h x 5.98w x 0.49d ISBN: 9780991208234
About the Author Susan Oleksiw is the author of the Mellingham series featuring Chief of Police Joe Silva, who was introduced in Murder in Mellingham (1993). Oleksiw introduced Anita Ray, an Indian American photographer, in a series of short stories, including "A Murder Made in India" (Alfred Hitchcock Mystery Magazine, 2003). Anita Ray's first book-length adventure is Under the Eye of Kali (2010). She also appeared in The Wrath of Shiva (2012) and For the Love of Parvati (2014). Also known for her nonfiction work, Oleksiw compiled A Reader's Guide to the Classic British Mystery (1988), the first in a series of Reader's Guides. As consulting editor for The Oxford Companion to Crime and Mystery Writing (1999), she also contributed several articles. Oleksiw trained as a Sanskritist at the University of Pennsylvania, where she received her PhD in Asian Studies, and has lived and traveled extensively in India.
