The Hidden Assassins

by: Robert Wilson

The Previous 7 Arts BloodScenes from the BlanketBlue is for NightmaresShooting GalleryThe Book of Lost ThingsBody TraceEvery Secret Crime

Shooting Gallery

Shooting Gallery by Hailey Lind, continues the saga of artist Annie Kincaid, who possesses a decidedly larcenous side thanks to her grandfather, Georges LaFleur, an expert art forger. Shooting Gallery is a delightful murder-mystery, combining the protagonist's wit and humor with both the pull of sex toward art theft and solving a murder involving Annie's own mother. Here's a book to take with you on a long plane ride or to a comfy armchair at home – either way you'll become engrossed while simultaneously learning about various phases of the art world. Ms. Lind uses Annie to present us with insights into the art business while creating an exceptional story as well.

The opening chapter of Shooting Gallery has Annie recognizing an actual corpse among various other grisly (but artistic, of course) creations on display at a local gallery opening where the artist hasn't made any appearance. That is, he hasn't made any appearance until Annie recognizes him as the corpse. A Prologue before that establishes the relationship between Annie and her grandfather.

Homicide Inspector Annette Crawford of the San Francisco Police Department is called in to investigate both the corpse and a stolen Chagall from the Brock Museum next door. There seems to be a possibility that the two are related. Annie's friend, Bryan Bossevain, was one of a group of people who all fainted at the same time, due to what is known as the Stendhal Syndrome – people who are overcome to the point of losing consciousness when confronted by something of great beauty. In this case it happened to be a Gauguin painting, and Bryan is thought to be suspiciously involved with the theft, providing a distraction while it was stolen.

Bryan had helped Annie in a number of important ways, but he was decidedly a drama queen. Nevertheless, Annie sticks up for him, going head to head with the owner of the museum, Agnes Brock. The Chagall, it seems, was not one of the master's best works. Also, while at the Anthony Brazil Gallery (from where Inspector Crawford had marched her) Annie had agreed to find and return a sculpture called 'Head and Torso' from Robert Pascal, its originator, to whom the buyers had given it back in order for him to repair some minor damage. Pascal refused to return it.

Annie's friends – and acquaintances – all become involved in the search for truth as well as murder, including a sexy art thief who pays for Annie's company (plus a dress and accessories for the occasion) while she checks out the host's painting collection. Annie finds some of her grandfather's work among his originals. Then the inevitable crisis finally occurs after Annie is hung by her overalls in a marble warehouse and rescued by the sexy art thief – the crisis including hidden drugs, shots, destroyed sculptures and a few amazing identity disclosures. Throughout, Annie's predilection for outrageous and often hilarious circumstances prevails, coloring Hailey Lind's Shooting Gallery with humor you won't want to ignore.

Alan Paul Curtis

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