The Scarlet Macaw

Hozy's third mystery is a magnificent combination of two stories a century apart. The contemporary mystery begins with the murder of art gallery owner Peter Stone in Singapore. The loss of her mentor devastates artist Maris Cousins. Grieving and unable to paint, she explores the contents of a trunk Peter inexplicably left to her. The books and letters within are all by the early 20th-century British author E. Sutcliffe Moresby. As Maris delves into the mystery of why Peter gave her the trunk, she also begins to piece together the tragic love story of Annabelle Sweet who traveled to Singapore in the 1920s to marry Sutcliffe Moresby's friend. Readers join Maris in the search through the novels and love letters for clues to what links Peter to this historical tragedy. Meanwhile, a charming Swedish officer working with Interpol takes an interest in art and Maris while he investigates a complicated smuggling operation. Hozy skillfully transports readers between the two centuries and builds suspense with questions of who can be trusted. (June)