Book Review: Where Art Thou by Sean Patrick Little (2022)

Synopsis: Chicago private detectives Abe Allard and CS Duffy are given the opportunity to pad their pocketbook when the wealthy Geo McMahon hires them to find a piece of art stolen from his private collection. The theft seems odd from the beginning, a sketch from a relatively unknown artist that wasn't anywhere near as valuable as the other pieces in the collection. The case becomes even stranger when similar pieces are also stolen and Abe's daughter, Matilda, comes across a message board suggesting the stolen artwork contains clues to a hidden treasure.

Review: I am going to be honest and say I had some doubts about Where Art Thou when I got it through my library last week. While I did enjoy the previous two Abe & Duff books, I've always been a bigger fan of murder mysteries and the thought of them investigating a basic art theft sounded a bit dull. However, after reading it, I have to say I was pleasantly surprised.

There were a few things I really found I liked about this book. The main one, interestingly enough, ended up being the mystery. There was so much about the art thefts that didn't make sense, especially since the thief (or thieves) were specifically targeting the pieces (in two different states) when there were much more valuable pieces just as easy for them to walk off with. And while the idea of a hidden treasure did create a possible motive, it wasn't a strong one, especially when the detectives couldn't find any evidence of it.

Another thing I did find I liked about this was the side story involving the recently divorced and lonely Abe possibly finding a romantic interest in Dr. Rory Withers. On the surface, it seemed like there was potential but at the same time, the skeptic in me wondered if she would wind up turning out to be the thief or if there would be another reason to keep them apart. Normally, I can take or leave romantic subplots, but it did add a little something this time around.

Along those same lines, the decision to have the teenage Matilda play more of a role in this mystery was also a nice touch. I especially loved how she proved to be somewhat valuable in the investigation, tracking down the possible motive within minutes and asking some insightful questions. I think she'd make an excellent spinoff character from this series, a modern-day Nancy Drew maybe.

The twist involving the real motive behind the art thefts was interesting, as was the secret behind the buildings in the stolen sketches, the names the deceased artist, Argos, gave them and the truth behind who actually drew them. It changed the tone of the book while also raising the question of what would happen to someone who technically broke the law but for an understandable reason.

My only real complaint about the book is the ending is a bit too depressing for a book that should have ended a little more upbeat. I'm not saying the author shouldn't have taken the route he did regarding Abe's love life. I just wish it wasn't saved for the last page.

Final Opinion: I wasn't sure if I'd like this one as much as the first two, but it ended up being a solid and entertaining mystery. 

My Grade: A

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Book Review: The Single Twin by Sean Patrick Little (2019)

Book Review: Fourth and Wrong by Sean Patrick Little (2021)

Book Review: Death of a Spy by M. C. Beaton with R W. Green (2024)