This book was written over 30 years ago and, unfortunately, time hasn't done it any favours. It's not so much dated as improbable even at the time it was written. I couldn't get over a woman marrying the father of her child when he insisted she leave her behind for over a year. And there were other things that strained my credulity.

The book starts in England where a man has forged something for a buyer but before it can be picked up by the buyer two Canadians come to get the work. When the original buyer comes to pick up the work and finds it is gone, the forger is killed. Back in Canada Harriet Jeffries has received a letter from her former assistant who asks to stay with Harriet for a time. This is an unusual request because the assistant, Jane, had an affair with Harriet's lover, Guy Beaumont, and when Harriet discovered this she fired Jane. Jane had Beaumont's child but, when they left for Britain, he insisted she leave the child behind. Jane never does show up at Harriet's place but Guy does, demanding to know where Jane is because she took something valuable from him.Harriet denies knowing where Jane is (the truth) and Guy becomes violent. Fortunately, Harriet's present lover, Inspector John Sanders, shows up and takes care of Guy. When Guy's dead body shows up in Harriet's apartment a few days later it's obvious Sanders can't be involved in the murder investigation. Meanwhile, Jane has surfaced in upstate New York and again has asked Harriet for help. Harriet and Sanders drive down to where she is supposed to be staying but can't find her. Jane has turned to her sister for help putting her sister in harm's way. Harriet and Sanders return to Canada but keep investigating. They question Beaumont's art dealer several times but she denies having heard from Guy or Jane. Is anyone besides Harriet telling the truth? And what are they hiding? If you really need to know, read the book. ( )

An Inspector John Sanders/Harriet Jeffries mystery. I haven't encountered this series before, and this is not the first. It's good enough that I'll have to backtrack to start at the beginning.

This takes place in Toronto, Canada, London and upstate New York, and involves art and art dealers. ( )