LOST & FOUND

In the latest from perennial bestseller Krentz (Soft Focus, 2000), an art expert uncovers a forgery scam . . . and falls in love.

Cady Briggs has a discerning eye for what’s fake and what’s fabulous. She was taught by one of the best: her elegant, imperious great-aunt Vesta. A dealer in valuable bibelots from every century, Vesta assists wealthy collectors with private purchases and runs a tony gallery called Chatelaine. Cady consults on a few cases for Mack Easton, whose Internet company specializes in the discreet recovery of stolen treasures for well-heeled clients who’d rather not go to the police. They never meet in person, however, until a priceless piece of medieval Italian armor goes missing and they track it down together. Mack turns out to be gorgeous, sexy, urbane, mature, and (sigh) available, but Cady keeps her distance. Watchful as always where her beloved great-niece is concerned, Vesta offers a few words of cryptic advice, then drowns mysteriously in her own swimming pool. Cady happens onto evidence that connects Vesta to a self-styled psychic who preys on gullible collectors wanting to know the provenance of the antiques they covet. Was this unsavory character to blame for her aunt’s death? Or was it one of several relatives who were scheming to merge Chatelaine and a rival gallery, thus cornering the market in bodacious bric-a-brac? Much nefarious pussyfooting ensues, although the mayhem is definitely on the genteel side, and the antique-dealer villains seem more dainty than devilish. Krentz’s intricate plot is fitted as neatly as marquetry, and her capable heroine is appealing: single, successful, and not in the least apologetic about wanting sex. Yes, Cady beds the dishy Mack several times, offers sage advice and snappy one-liners to one and all, and eventually, of course, nabs the bad guys.

Formulaic but smooth suspense, mostly for the fans, who will love it.