Medlock’s whimsical debut novel tells a story of a woman with an unusual and dangerous talent.

Rebecca Katz is no ordinary heroine. Poised, confident and controlled, she’s an expert art authenticator who’s known for precision and professionalism. But her secret ability remains secret: the power to communicate with objects. This is particularly useful in her line of work, in which potentially valuable ancient artifacts show up on her desk regularly, but also in her personal life, as when a pendant around her neck warns her away from danger. Rebecca’s success is set to skyrocket when a first-century dagger finds its way into her capable hands—but this dagger isn’t like other objects. From the moment she begins talking to it, in an effort to find out more about its past, it starts telling her a series of lies. Rebecca soon learns that the object has a corrupt, twisted nature and is bent on destroying her career. Soon, she finds herself trapped in a despairing quandary—objects, which she’d always trusted, are now proving false, and people, whom she’s always avoided, are all she can rely on. As malevolent thugs hound Rebecca and pursue the dagger, she escapes New York for Miami, where she hopes to find safety and perhaps love, as two different men try to tempt her away from her life of solitude. This suspenseful novel tells the tale of Rebecca’s physical and emotional journey in a unique, often captivating manner. Her story quickly transcends the conventions of a mere mystery novel to become a story full of depth and meaning, as her unusual gift comes to symbolize an approach to life that she must leave behind. Her growth as a character plays against the intriguing backdrop of the antiques world, and the story delves into details of psychology, history and art along the way.

A well-written tale of adventure and drama about a woman struggling to save herself.