Join the Shepherd sisters in solving a mystery…before it’s too late! This artful cozy mystery is perfect for fans of Krista Davis and Joanne Fluke. Savanna Shepherd is a former art authenticator–someone who can tell a forgery from the real thing. She’s got a talent for spotting secrets hiding in plain sight. In the wake of a painful breakup, she moves back to her idyllic hometown on the … breakup, she moves back to her idyllic hometown on the banks of Lake Michigan. At least she’s close to her sisters again, and she’s enjoying her new job as a grade school art teacher.
Savanna even rediscovers her creative soul when an old family friend hires her to paint a mural. But sad and strange incidents occur at the woman’s mansion, compelling Savanna to investigate. With a little help from her sisters–and from Aidan, the intriguing town doctor–will she be able to figure out what’s wrong with this picture?
This intriguing cozy mystery includes a free Hallmark original recipe for Holy Yum Baked Chicken.
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Savanna Shepherd has moved back to her hometown after a bad breakup. She wants a fresh start and things seem to be looking up for her. she loves her new job as an art teacher at the local elementary school and is enjoying spending more time with her two sisters. She is thrilled when an old family friend and art collector, Caroline asks her to paint a mural. Unfortunately, her happiness is short-lived when she starts noticing bizarre things occurring in the woman’s home. First, there’s an unexplained death in the house, a suspicious accident and then a break-in. Savanna doesn’t think things could get any worse but then she starts suspecting that Caroline’s priceless paintings are forgeries. Savanna, with the help of her sisters and a cute doctor named Aidan, decides to get to the bottom of things. I enjoyed this book. It was a light, entertaining read with an interesting plot, strong, likable characters and a beautiful lake setting. The mystery was a bit slow-paced but once the plot picked up halfway through the book, I was hooked and couldn’t stop reading. If you’re a fan of Hallmark Mysteries then you will definitely enjoy this book. Overall, I loved reading about the Shepherd sisters and look forward to more books by this author. Thank you to Netgalley and Hallmark Publishings for approving me for this ARC. The opinions expressed are my own.
Out of the Picture is the first installment of Tracy Gardner’s Shepherd Sisters mysteries. Savanna Shepherd is the middle of three sisters from the small town of Carson, Michigan located on the banks of Lake Michigan. Savanna has recently moved home from Chicago after her long time fiancé decided he needed to go find himself. In Chicago Savanna, an art authenticator, has worked for the gallery owned by her fiancé’s family. Moving home was a refuge at the time but Savanna soon realizes that home is exactly where she wants to be,
Now, rather than authenticating artwork, Savanna is reveling in teaching art at the local elementary school. Her younger sister, Sydney, owns the local dog grooming salon. As a favor to Sydney, and to see her beloved borrowed grandmother, Carson matriarch Caroline Carson, Savanna escorts poodles Princess and Duke home to the Carson estate. While there, Caroline engages Savanna to do a mural for her. Itching to get back to painting and also eager for the time that can be spent catching up with Caroline, Savanna accepts as long as she has an opportunity to bring her portfolio and discuss the project before fully accepting the task.
Arriving a few minutes early, Savanna is escorted by Caroline’s granddaughter Lauren into the large living area just as Caroline’s book club is breaking up. All leave except Caroline’s good friend Eleanor. Savanna joins the two older ladies for a glass of claret while discussing the project and showing her samples to Caroline. As Savanna and Caroline talk, leaving their wine untouched, Eleanor slumps dropping her empty glass. The glass of wine ends up costing Eleanor’s life.
When more incidents occur, it becomes apparent that there is a threat to Caroline’s life. But why? Between Savanna’s older sister Skylar’s connections and Savanna’s art expertise and the help and support of Dr. Aidan Gallagher, those closest to Caroline bind together to protect her and remove the threat.
This is an interesting story with rich characters and a lovely setting. The mystery is well plotted and will keep the reader guessing until the end. I did enjoy this book and I do recommend it!
I love the main character and her sisters! A group of smart, funny and charming women who are both pretty and intelligent. Savannah doesn’t bumble her way into solving the crime, but rather assists the police with a systematic, thoughtful approach. Plenty of danger, intrigue and developing relationships to delight and entertain while unraveling the crime in a thoughtful manner. There was one flaw for me in the story, but I’ll see if anyone else catches that. The narrator does an outstanding job of bringing the characters to life and has me hooked! I can’t wait to listen to the next book!
I read the second book in this series first and had to go back and start at the beginning because I loved the characters so much. Savanna, the main character, has a background in art authentication and has gotten a job as an art teacher at the elementary school. She has also been hired by a long time family friend, Caroline Carson, to paint a wall mural in her sitting room. Caroline is getting ready to turn 90 and would like to have the mural done by her birthday party, so Savanna is spending a lot of time at her house. Caroline is a feisty woman who knows what she wants and doesn’t take no for an answer. But some strange things start happening and Savanna and her sisters as well as some other interesting characters try to piece things together. This mystery includes murder and theft and many people are involved to help it reach a conclusion. I loved the town of Carson, on Lake Michigan, and the characters in this book. I hope that there will be more books in the series.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
Loved the book
A fun mystery where a returning local young woman is asked to paint a mural in the home of an old family friend, but mysterious things are happening that seem to endanger the matriarch of the family. Pure enjoyment.
Loved the book. So nice to have main characters who are aren’t haunted by past events that have left them incapable of making new friendships. The 3 sisters get along and aren’t afraid to inform the police of clues they find. Likewise the police don’t consider their ideas stupid. Would gladly read more of Tracy Gardner’s books.
This was so much fun! I’ve already pre-ordered the next in the series.
Out of the Picture is the first in a new cozy mystery series from Hallmark. Consistent with Hallmark, the book was on the sweet and gentle side as far as cozies go. A recipe is included
The focus on and love the characters showed for Lake Michigan was awesome, as I don’t see that area highlighted often in books. I read the book because of the art authenticator theme, and I enjoyed it and appreciated that although Savanna had left her art authenticator job she still used that knowledge throughout the novel. There are a lot of scenes with Savanna and her sisters, as well as her parents, demonstrating her close family relationships. And there are the makings of a potential future love interest. I recommend Out of the Picture for fans of light cozy mysteries.
SPOILERS:
Who was the second person in the SUV that tried to run Savanna and Skylar off the road? Felix is one. The only other person determined to be part of the scheme was Ryan, but everyone including the detective agree that Ryan wasn’t part of the cons, was merely a bystander. Ryan probably knew more than he realized and would be useful for prosecution, but he wasn’t a knowing part of the crimes. So Ryan can’t have been in the car, because he can’t be an unknowing bystander if he was in a vehicle that repeatedly hit Savanna’s while trying to run it off the road. So who is the second person in the vehicle?
This isn’t a spoiler, but what is Savanna’s mother’s job? We hear about it several times and it sounds like they think it’s a big deal, but unless I missed it I didn’t notice that they ever named the job or explained what she actually does.
I am so excited that Hallmark has released its first mystery! This was the perfect cozy mystery to curl up with on a rainy day! The three sisters were a delight to get to know. They were believable and relatable. Reading about Caroline, who was like a grandmother to them, made me want to walk right into her house (as they had done since they were little) and have tea with her! It was fascinating learning about the process of authenticating paintings as well. Dare I hope that this will become a series and we might get to read more of Sydney’s story?
I received an early copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
Fun cozy mystery from Hallmark Publishing. Looking forward to the next one!
I love a good cozy mystery, and this one ticks all the boxes. Plenty of suspects, a lead character (Savanna Shepherd) who is an expert in her field, and just enough romance. A fun and entertaining read you’ll whip through to find out whodunnit!
Going back to your hometown always brings a look at the past with an eye to the future. Savanna comes home from Chicago after a breakup. Small town fun. A very enjoyable read.
I received a copy of this book for a honest review.
A great cozy mystery! I’m rather new to this genre, but this book was a great place to start! Looking forward to book 2!
Engaging cozy mystery! Savannah returned home after a not so fulfilling career and an especially not fulfilling engagement. Love how she reconnected with her family and connects with her new job. The characters are both old fashioned and conventional. The mystery had a nice pace and the story was fresh. An easy, enjoyable read! 3 1/2 stars.
Out of the Picture is the first Hallmark mystery and I hope it won’t be the last. A feel-good cozy, it is the perfect fall read. Hot chocolate and a fuzzy blanket are the perfect compliment. Hallmark fans will love this new series.
I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this novel.
This is a cozy mystery that anyone could enjoy. No gore or scary parts to give you nightmares. Lovable characters you feel like are friends. I could easily picture this as a Hallmark movie. I was kept guessing right up to the end, turning pages as fast as I could to find out who dun-nit. And the cover is beautiful too. I’m enjoying these Hallmark novels and am looking forward to more.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher but wasn’t required to write a review positive or otherwise. All opinions are my own.
Out of the Picture by Tracy Gardner is the first in the new Shepherd Sisters mystery series.
This is an easy to read cozy with plenty of twists and turns that have you guessing until the end. There is family, humor, and a hint of romance. There are artists and paintings sprinkled throughout the story.. .
I was given an ARC by NetGalley for an honest review.
A Palette of Mystery…
I enjoy a good nail biter of a mystery. Tracy Gardner definitely delivered. The story kicks off with acquainting us with Savanna and her two sisters Skylar and Sydney. Savanna has returned to her home roots after an upsetting breakup. She lands herself a job as an art teacher at the local school. Savanna is highly skilled in authenticating art and is an excellent artist herself. She is asked by Caroline who is like a grandma to the three sisters if she could paint a mural in her home for her upcoming birthday celebration.
That is when all the mysterious happenings occur. Tracy Gardner weaves a delicious suspenseful and twisty storyline that will keep you guessing until the very end. She is skillful at amplifying your interest in this “who done it” mystery. The characters are delightful and refreshing. I look forward to further stories in this series.
Great First Mystery in a new series from Hallmark