by Cynthia Chow

Details at the end of this post on how to enter to win a copy of Michelangelo’s Ghost. We also have a link to order it from Amazon, and from an indie bookstore where a portion goes to help support KRL.

Fame has its downsides, like after returning a lost artifact to India a journalist’s misquote has San Francisco historian Jaya Jones inundated with hundreds of queries concerning lost “treasures.” Most of these are impractical quests for glory, fame, or fortune, but the one email that Jaya cannot ignore is from her former mentor and professor, Dr. Lilith Jones. Lilith claims to have discovered a sketchbook by sixteen century artist Lazzaro Allegri, a Renaissance master and protégé of Michelangelo. Lilith believes that Lazzaro’s sketchbook not only indicates a link between the art of India and Italy, but that they reveal a hidden trove of Lazzaro’s undiscovered paintings. Jaya isn’t sure she can trust Lilith’s judgment, considering that an early success led to Lilith’s obsessions that spiraled into alcoholism and the loss of her academic reputation.

Already feeling guilty for having abandoned Lilith in her previous quixotic quests, Jaya is stunned when she receives a confused phone call from Lilith and then learns of her death. Believing that the hard-drinking professor would never have accidentally overdosed, Jaya is certain that Lilith was murdered for a very real artistic treasure. Jaya’s visiting attorney brother Mahilan decides that a trip to Italy with his new girlfriend Ava is a perfect way for them to bond, so the three venture off on a treasure hunt to discover Lazzaro’s lost studio in Bomarzo’s Park of Monsters.

Always in the background of Jaya’s quests is Lancelot Caravaggio Peters, better known as Lane Peters, and the man who stole Jaya’s heart as well as a number of valuable pieces of art. The reformed Robin Hood has vowed to stay away from Jaya in order to protect her from his enemies, but their hearts have them meeting as often as possible. Jaya’s best friend Sanjay, the magician Hindu Houdini, is pulling at her emotions as well, and it looks as though she will have to make a life-changing decision between the men very soon.

Readers will delight in this exciting adventure that takes them through illustrious Italian settings unseen by most tourists. Jaya is dedicated to studying, preserving, and sharing art, but it is her love of the hunt that still brings her the most joy. It is seeing her piece together the clues that makes this such an exciting read, while a more emotional element is added through her friends and family. Jaya may be protective of her older brother, but that doesn’t mean that she won’t stop calling him Mahi (after the fish). This fourth in the Jaya Jones Treasure Hunt Mystery series is as fresh as the first, with all of the same clever potting, witty dialogue, and sparks of romance. What makes it even more unique is how well it engagingly teaches and promotes the appreciation of history, art, and culture.

This book was published by Henery Press. To learn more about their books check out their website: henerypress.com.

To enter to win a copy of Michelangelo’s Ghost, simply email KRL at krlcontests@gmail[dot]com by replacing the [dot] with a period, and with the subject line “michelangelo,” or comment on this article. A winner will be chosen November 5, 2016. U.S. residents only. If entering via email please include your mailing address, and if via comment please include your email address.

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Click on this link to purchase this book & a portion goes to help support KRL & an indie bookstore Mysterious Galaxy:

Michelangelo’s Ghost

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Cynthia Chow is the branch manager of Kaneohe Public Library on the island of Oahu. She balances a librarian lifestyle of cardigans and hair buns with a passion for motorcycle riding and regrettable tattoos (sorry, Mom).

Disclosure: This post contains links to an affiliate program, for which we receive a few cents if you make purchases. KRL also receives free copies of most of the books that it reviews, that are provided in exchange for an honest review of the book.