Art conservator Stella Da Silvera is smart. She knows her business, and she knows what's not her business, and she's savvy enough to keep the two separate. Although she's very good at what she does, she lacks the prestigious education that would put her in a museum, so instead she works for Claiborne's Auction House, restoring paintings and illustrations as they come in. While not everyone is thrilled with her loud, bargain bin clothes and an occasional empty vodka bottle in her work space, the caliber of her work and her ability to keep secrets keeps her employed.
Until the night she finds the dead body and Las Meninas, the 1656 painting of the Spanish Royal family by Diego Velazquez, goes missing. At that point, Stella loses not only her job, she could lose her life as well.
Susan Daitch's White Lead is an intriguing literary novel. With lots of suspense and action as well as insights into the art world, this story takes you through the intricacies of art restoration and the theft of high-ticket art pieces while leading you through a fast-paced mystery to find thieves and killers. Stella is art-smart and street-smart, but is that enough for her to find the painting in time? You'll have to read it to find out!
Galleys for White Lead were provided by the publisher through NetGalley.com.