EVERYONE HAS A PAST,BUT NO ONE IS TALKING.Welcome to the artcommunity of Brandywine Valley. Detective Parrott’s next case takes us to theworld of valuable paintings, famous artists, and dark secrets. Well-respectedartist, Blake Allmond, lives under a black cloud with no umbrella. When two paintings are stolen from his studio, Parrott takes on the case. Soon theftleads to murder, a treasure hunt, … treasure hunt, a search for a killer–and then theinvestigation becomes personal.
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I love to re-visit these characters and am hoping I will be able to do it again.
In the Brandywine Valley, a delicate balance exists between the very wealthy and those who serve them, but the murder of a famous artist threatens this tenuous equilibrium. In her second outing featuring Detective Oliver Parrott, Saralyn Richard offers readers a compelling story of worlds in collision. “A Palette For Love and Murder” probes more than the mysteries of the art world and the motives for murder. Satisfied readers will discover that it also delicately plumbs the depths of love and the human heart. Another winner for Richard.
A Palette for Love and Murder is the second mystery in Saralyn Richard’s Oliver Parrott series. The newly married Detective Parrott is home from his honeymoon, looking forward to easing into his new life with his ex-Navy Seal wife, Tonya. Instead, duty calls and Parrott is assigned to investigate an art heist; two valuable paintings are stolen from the studio of local Brandywine artist Blake Allmond. Unfortunately, Tonya, who is suffering from PTSD, adds additional stress for Parrott, and he’s forced to juggle his problems at home with his obligations at work. Before he can interview Allmond, the artist is murdered in his New York City condo. When Parrott discovers that Allmond had recently changed his will, the detective is convinced that the stolen paintings and the murder are connected.
Richard has set the stage for an enthralling mystery centered around the art world.
Richard’s talent for intricate plotting shines in A Palette for Love and Murder. Adding cliffhangers at the end of chapters makes for an unforgettable page-turner. She’s created compelling characters, adding depth to the story. Richard’s extraordinary eye for art is evident in her beautifully vivid descriptions of the artwork. Saralyn Richard is a mystery writer you want to watch for. I’m waiting eagerly for the next Oliver Parrott mystery.
A compelling police procedural, where issues of race, class and love intersect with the art world and murder. Detective Parrott is an intelligent, down-to-earth policeman who cares about people.
With the second in her Detective Parrott series, Saralyn Richard is coming into her stride with a well plotted story involving an art heist and a murder that may or may not be connected. Set in the Brandywine Valley, the very rich mingle with the not-so-well off. Almost all of them are hiding secrets, past and present, which makes following Detective Parrot’s lead and guessing who did the deed part of the enjoyment.
Love and murder get equal billing in this charming and heartfelt mystery. Richard explores the art world and its eclectic community with a deft touch. This is the second book in the Detective Parrott series, and you can bet I’ll be reading the first as well!
A Palette for Love and Murder by Saralyn Richard is the second installment of the Detective Parrot mystery series.
After two valuable paintings are stolen, Parrott is again destined to rub elbows with the high-brow social elites of the picturesque Brandywine River region of Pennsylvania. Parrott’s investigation is complicated by a New York City murder and his lady-love Tonya, who suffers from PTSD following military service in Afghanistan.
Told from multiple perspectives, Richard delves into the art world, police science, and PTSD trauma without being bland or clinical.
The story is full of twists and subplots that make it a fast-moving reading adventure, but beneath the story’s surface lies the meaningful theme of sacrifice in its many forms. Richard’s book made me press pause in my busy life to consider the selfless actions public servants like Parrott make daily, the forfeitures associated with Elle’s spiritual calling, and the loss that Tonya endured because of her patriotic service to country. Richard’s fine style is memorable and will call me back for more. — Joy Ann Ribar, author of Deep Lakes Mystery Series
Now that I’ve read both of author Saralyn Richard’s murder mystery novels featuring Detective Oliver Parrott, Murder in the One Percent and A Palette for Love and Murder, I’ve come to fully appreciate how she offers fans of whodunits the opportunity to go beyond the orderly blueprint of murder committed/detective works to solve the case. Other books of this genre often engage us but don’t necessarily embrace us. In A Palette for Love and Murder, Ms. Richard’s characters aren’t just one-dimensional pieces to move the story along – they also serve the purpose of having us get in touch with our humanity. For me, this is what delineates a good murder mystery from a great one – not just taking the reader on the intriguing hunt of solving the murder, but eventually making us understand the reasons behind the actions as the story proceeds. Like a road that seems to deter into another direction before adjoining once again, Ms. Richards carefully constructs a multifaceted tale of depth, occasional whimsy, and titillating suspense that moves us around the playground of our imagination until the climactic end.
Saralyn Richard put a lot of work into researching this book as evidenced by her thanking various professionals in different fields at the conclusion of the story for their help. What this indicates to me is her desire to bring the best she can offer, no shortcuts allowed, to the reader, and I’d like to acknowledge that fact. Thank you, Ms. Richard, for another enjoyable adventure with Detective Parrott and I gladly give you five stars for this one.
This is the second book I have read by this author, Saralyn Richard. Like her first Detective Parrott book , Murder in the One Percent, she kept me guessing to the end. There were several possible suspects and I was sure I knew “who dun it” but it was a surprise. Her descriptions took me on a journey through the art world and the lives of the rich and famous. I sincerely hope there will be another book in this series. Great job!!!
I read Murder in the One Percent and was intrigued and kept me guessing at every turn of the page. Mrs. Richard did not disappoint with this newest mystery, I cannot wait to see where and what detective Parrott’s next case may be.
A grade of A++ for “A Palette for Love and Murder: A Detective Parrott Mystery,” the latest murder mystery by Saralyn Richard! The plot is intense, the character development riveting and I was glued to the edge of my seat until I finished reading Richard’s latest mystery to find out whodunit. A good mystery writer develops a great plot with lots of twists and turns while cultivating complex characters sparking reader intrigue. A great mystery writer accomplishes this by engaging in extensive research that provides more depth, expertise and realism to the story thus putting it on a higher level. Richard is a great mystery writer.
“A Palate for Love and Murder” takes place in the Brandywine Valley section of Pennsylvania known for its famous painters and world-class paintings. Two paintings from the studio of famed painter Blake Allmond are stolen. Detective Oliver Parrott takes on the investigation. Parrott was introduced by Richard in her mystery, “Murder in the One Percent,” also set in the Brandywine Valley.
To further complicate the painting investigation a murder soon takes place. Richard’s research shines through on every page as the extensive details provided makes the story as real as non-fiction written by a journalist. The specifics Richard weaves into her mysteries requires painstaking research with the result being first-rate fiction that puts her on the level with the best murder mystery authors. I can hardly wait to see what Richard has up her sleeve for her next book.
Enjoyed this second book in the Detective Parrott series as much I did the first. The book was a joy to read. I learned so much about the art world that I never knew before while getting to know more about Detective Parrott and his family. I look forward to more books about Detective Parrott from this talented writer!
With this author, you are always at the scene. Her characters are real, one can see them and understand their feelings. Her locations put you there, it’s a book in which you become immersed. It’s a puzzle within a book, I never figure out the perpetrator!!! I love the surprises, the travel to the Brandywine Valley, the food and in this one, even the art! Detective Parrot is a person, the description is so good. For those who enjoy a good murder mystery, this one’s for you!
In this riveting novel, Saralyn Richard artfully draws the reader into a world of wealth, intrigue, theft, artistry, and murder. The characters are well-developed and nuanced, with unsavory motives and dark secrets lurking beneath the surface. Detective Oliver Parrott’s investigation into the disappearance of two valuable art works takes an ominous turn when the painter who created them is shot to death at close range. As Parrott sifts through a maze of clues in search of a prime suspect, several startling revelations add to the mystery and suspense of this entertaining tale. A terrific read!
Linda’s Book Obsession Reviews “A Palate for Love and Murder” by Saralyn Richard, Black Opal Books, 1/23/20
Saralyn Richard, Author of “A Palate for Love and Murder” has written an intriguing and captivating novel. I love the cover, which expresses some of what goes into the book. The Genres for this book are Mystery Suspense and Fiction. The timeline for this story is set in the present and goes to the past when it pertains to the characters and events. The author describes her colorful characters as creative, complex and complex. This is a mystery that deals with the Art world, and also has theft, danger, threats, and murder.
This is the second book in the series where Detective Oliver Parrott is involved. I do believe it can be read as a stand-alone. Detective Oliver Parrot is back at home with his new wife, Tonya. As they are making adjustments to their new lives together, Parrott becomes involved with a theft of paintings from a very well know artist. As Parrot investigates. the theft, there is more danger.
I appreciate that the author mentions important issues like PTSD, the importance of family, friends, forgiveness and second chances. I would highly recommend this novel to those readers who appreciate a good mystery.
Saralyn Richard has done it again! Delving into the twists and turns of the lavishly rich, Detective Parrott goes on a hunt for an art thief in the Brandywine Valley. When a murder follows on the heels of his investigation, Parrott treads carefully, trying to balance the obligations of his job and the logistics for the New York based Murder. Parrott’s new wife, Tonya, suffers from PTSD. She stretches the line of duty taut with her need to heal previous traumas. Will she cross the boundaries of Parrott’s investigation and become a target for the next crime. Art dealers, Relatives, jealous girlfriends, the mansion’s staff, jilted lovers, ghosts from the past, and an ex-nun…who is responsible for the painting’s disappearance and is it the same culprit who murdered the famous artist Blake Allmond? Blackmail, lies and shifting alliances makes this the perfect who done it! Wonderfully written and keeps you guessing until the very end. Don’t miss this highly entertaining mystery.