The portrait of Molly Dean by Katherine Kovacic
![cover image](https://www.readplus.com.au/covers2/theportraitofmollydean.jpg)
Alex Clayton Art Mystery, book 1. Bonnier, 2018. ISBN:
9781760409784.
(Age: Adult - Senior secondary) Recommended. An elegant murder
mystery for art lovers, The portrait of Molly Dean swings
back and forth from 1999 to 1930 when a young aspiring journalist
Molly Dean was murdered. Art dealer Alex Clayton finds a portrait of
Molly Dean and while trying to uncover its provenance before selling
it, finds inconsistencies in the evidence surrounding her death.
There appears to be a cover up; evidence disappears and although
there is a likely suspect, he was never brought to trial. She
enlists the aid of John Porter, an art conservator, and together
they try to solve this cold case, stirring up some dangerous events
even in the present.
The author keeps the suspense going by telling the story first in
Alex's voice as she sifts through the evidence and in Molly's voice
as she tries to write an article about the life of a dangerous,
enigmatic rich man in the hope that it will be a breakthrough for
her journalistic and author aspirations. The reader will learn much
about the life of an art dealer and conservator and Australian art
while life in 1930's will prove equally interesting.
In notes at the back, the author tells the reader that
the events in the book are based on the real murder of Mary 'Molly'
Winifred Dean and that many of her associates were real people while
Alex is fictitious. This fictional re-enactment of what could have
happened will be an enticing read for those who are interested in
real crime as well as those who like a solid murder mystery.
The author has
written more mysteries set in the art world which I hope to pursue.
Pat Pledger