THE CAVALIER IN WHITE

by Marcia Muller ‧ RELEASE DATE: June 30, 1986

The author's other sleuths--lawyer Sharon McCone and museum curator Elena Oliverez (Cheshire Cat's Eye, etc.)--are feistier and less neurotic than 40-ish art-security expert Joanna Stark, who's retired to Sonoma from her San Francisco partnership with Nick Alexander after the death of lawyer-husband David. Now a Frans Hals painting has been stolen from the De Young Museum, and Nick calls on her to help. Joanna's friendship with the rich and social Wheatley family--longtime museum donors--is a plus since renegade son Mike Wheatley seems implicated. Joanna thinks she sees the fine Continental hand of Antony Parducci, master art-thief long unheard from, but the murder of missing museum guard Wilson Reed is totally alien to Parducci's usual M.O. Meanwhile, our heroine has a troubled past to deal with, including roaming stepson E.J., who's just discovered his adoption by the now-dead David and first wife Eleanor. And the present is complicated by a new romance, along with heavy weather and landslides on the way to the Hals and the identity of the killer. Heavy weather for the reader, too, as the pace sags under the weight of Joanna's angst and the prose begins to purple. But, all in all, a nice recovery towards the end and Muller's colorful California make this one mildly rewarding.

Pub Date: June 30, 1986

ISBN: N/A

Page Count: -

Publisher: St. Martin's

Review Posted Online: N/A

Kirkus Reviews Issue: May 15, 1986

Categories: FICTION