Killing the Emperors: A Jack Troutbeck/Robert Amiss Mystery

British/Irish author Edwards is in top form as she skewers conceptual art ("pretentious, specious, nihilistic rubbish") and its practitioners in her 12th mystery (after 2007's Murdering Americans), this one featuring redoubtable Baroness Ida "Jack" Troutbeck and mystery writer Robert Amiss. When Russian oligarch Oleg Sarkovsky feels betrayed by the London art world, his rage takes a bizarre and dangerous form. He kidnaps Jack and a number of (fictional) critics, educators, dealers, and artists whom he blames for his costly acquisition errors. It may be only a matter of time before Oleg targets real-life notables such as Sir Nicholas Serota, director of the Tate galleries, and artists Damien Hirst and Tracey Emin. Meanwhile, Amiss leads the effort to find and rescue Jack and the other prisoners. Edwards is a master of delightful, biting satire, whether demolishing real or imaginary poseurs. (Oct.)