The Appraisal

August 7, 2017
Porter (Bookfair Murders) delivers an intelligent and exhilarating thriller following art expert Helena Marsh’s mission to restore a Titian painting to its rightful owner, Géza Márton. The story reaches back to 1945, when Géza was taken prisoner but survived several years in a Soviet labor camp. In the present, Géza, now a wealthy merchant living in Canada, hires Helena to help him buy the painting back from the mysterious János Krestin. Several other buyers are interested in bidding on the painting, which results in a few dead bodies along the way. The story is told in part from the point of view of Attila Feher, a former policeman working as a private investigator. He is hired to tail Helena and push her to leave the country, but his interest in the case shifts as he delves deeper into it. Much of the intrigue involves Hungary’s complex history of occupation and oppression, as well as past deeds and identities that characters are hiding or trying to forget. Helena is a cunning chameleon, skilled in self-defense. Porter’s stylish story vividly transports readers to Budapest and other European locales and keeps them hooked as her well-developed characters navigate corruption and deception. Agent: John Pearce, Westwood Creative Artists.

August 15, 2017
Verifying the authenticity of a controversial Titian proves a deadly assignment for a resourceful, and not entirely lawful, art appraiser.While enjoying the summer bustle in Budapest's Vorosmarty Square, Attila Feher watches a long-legged redhead who has a short exchange with a man Attila recognizes as the slightly disreputable owner of a posh art shop before she makes a beeline for the Gellert Hotel. Retired from the Budapest Police Department but still in possession of his detective skills, Attila follows. The redhead's name is Helena Marsh, the red hair is a wig, and at the Gellert she totally changes her appearance. Porter discloses the reason for her deceptions, and her presence in Budapest, in tantalizing bits. Helena's been brought to the city to verify the authenticity of a Titian being sold by local Dr. Krestin. Helena's a thorn in the side of some felonious "Ukrainians." Porter's offbeat thriller yields tension and humor from its revolving perspectives as well as its deep bench of colorful supporting characters, all obsessed with nationality, be they Canadian, Russian, American, or something else. When a murder victim is discovered in Helena's hotel room, Attila reveals that he's working freelance for the Budapest police but, when push comes to shove, will he stand with or against Helena? This peppy thriller from Porter (Kasztner's Train, 2008, etc.) bursts with banter and tantalizes the reader with half-revelations and game-changing twists. Not a nail-biter but definitely a romp.

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