Death and the Old Master: A St. Just Mystery

Malliet’s disappointing sixth whodunit featuring Arthur St. Just (after Death in Print) finds the Cambridgeshire DI investigating a fatal stabbing at Cambridge University. Sir Flyte Rascallian, master of Cambridge’s Hardwick College, inherits several valuable paintings after his aunt’s death. One of the artworks bears Rembrandt’s signature, though Rascallian suspects it’s a copy. Museum curator Ambrose Nussnacker isn’t so sure, and suggests he use AI to ascertain whether the portrait is genuine. The two argue, and soon afterward, the painting disappears. Then Rascallian is murdered in his lodge, which shows no sign of forced entry, suggesting he knew his killer. St. Just is assigned to investigate, and he quickly lines up suspects including an obnoxious American grad student and the porter on duty at the time Rascallian was killed. While the early stages of St. Just’s investigation come across like a serviceable golden age pastiche, the author squanders the setup with a contrived climax that’s likely to elicit more yawns than gasps. Malliet has done better. Agent: Mark Gottlieb, Trident Media Group. (Nov.)