Featuring on Friday: Andrew Stopyra - Scarlet - The Haselwood Mysteries Book 1

I just finished a really good historical mystery. Scarlet is the first book in a new series called The Haselwood Mysteries by Andrew Stopyra.

About:

"It’s 1925.  

Scarlet Haslewood is a con artist.

Besides perfectly baked pastries and strong coffee, she has a fondness for stealing things.  But she knows that stealing the most famous painting in the world would be pointless.  After all, what can you do with it once the world finds out it’s missing?  Hide it in your closet?  She’d rather use that space for her hat collection. 

So instead of stealing the Mona Lisa, Scarlet’s going to sell it. 

But who is Scarlet Haslewood? How did she become a lying thief in the first place?

And can a stranger on a train and a simple twist of fate change the life of a woman who twists the truth for a living?

________________________

More than just a good caper, Scarlet is the origin story that kicks off a new series: The Haslewood Mysteries.

ABOUT THE SERIES: 

Set in 1920’s Europe, The Haslewood Mysteries follows the exploits of con artist Scarlet Haslewood as she employs her wit and charm to sniff out and stop other cons, grifters, and unsavory individuals.  From Paris to the Riviera, London to Istanbul, join her for this fresh take on the historical mystery genre that should appeal to anyone who enjoys vivid descriptions, rich character development, and clever plot twists.  (And the finest French pastries, of course)."

What an interesting and different mystery. I thoroughly enjoyed it. The writing is brilliant - I was impressed how the author was able to lay out such a complicated plot and make it readable, and that I could follow it. The story of Scarlet's life, and how it influenced her "career" is fascinating. It is different in that it is focused on the con not the sleuth, with Scarlet's plotting and planning laid out in from of us, but with enough of a twist to make you wonder what is true.  I was reminded of The Thomas Crown Affair. 

I really recommend it. Book 2 will be out in May 2020.

About the author:

Andrew is originally from the Philadelphia area but spent most of the last 20 years living either in Europe or Middle Eart- I mean, New Zealand. He holds an MA in Assyriology from Cambridge, and a PhD in Classics from the University of Otago (Dunedin, New Zealand). While he typically prefers anything written on papyrus or clay, he appreciates the practicalities of paperbacks and ebooks. He currently lives and writes in his wife's home state of Idaho.

Here is Andrew's really cool website.
https://www.scarletcons.com/

I received a free copy and voluntarily provided this review.