A Paradise for Fools: A Fred Taylor Art Mystery

When Fred Taylor spies an elaborate tattoo on Cambridge, Mass., hairstylist Kim Weatherall in Kilmer's offbeat eighth art mystery (after 2010's A Butterfly in Flame), Fred thinks it's an imitation of an undiscovered work by 15th-century Dutch artist Hieronymus Bosch, best known for The Garden of Earthly Delights. His eagerness to see the original painting leads him to Kim's former boyfriend, gifted tattoo artist Arthur Pendragon (n%C3%A9 Schrecking), and Arthur's evasive associates, including volatile tattoo artist Kenzo Petersen; exotic dancer Tippy Artoonian; well-heeled art dealer Lexington Orono; and creepy high school art teacher Zoltan "Z" Zagoriski. Fred suspects Z knows more than he's telling about the Bosch painting, while Z's death in a too coincidental hit-and-run accident underscores the high stakes of the game. Besides showcasing Kilmer's knack for intriguing premises, this installment poignantly depicts Fred's tentative steps toward love. (Sept.)