Isabella's Painting

Karina Cardinal Mystery Series, Book 1

By: Ellen Butler

Narrated by: Justine Eyre

Peeling back layers of lies could save a masterpiece or reveal a killer.

After a long week lobbying on Capitol Hill, all Karina Cardinal wants to do is chill with Netflix and her boyfriend, Patrick Dunne. Instead, she's slipping her aching feet into red stilettos for his parent's annual holiday bash. When she accidentally interrupts Patrick's father in his study, her embarrassment is tempered by suspicion that Martin Dunne and his dapper, secretive guest are hiding something. Maybe the painting she barely glimpses right before it disappears behind a secret panel.

An internet search raises her curiosity to full-blown alarm. If she's right, Martin is in possession of a stolen masterpiece. Infamous because everyone close to it has turned up dead. As in Mafia-style-execution dead.

As she's chewing over which instinct to follow - back off while she still can, or dig deeper for the truth - she crosses paths with FBI agent Mike Finnegan. An old friend and not-quite flame from her college days. When she looks into his warm, mocha eyes, she's tempted to tell him everything.

Trouble is, she's already being watched. And the next move she makes could destroy innocent lives including her own.

©2018 Ellen Butler (P)2020 Tantor

Karina Cardinal could be a new favorite.

I really enjoyed this mystery. I think it was especially interesting because it centered around the famous theft at the Isabella Stewart Gardner museum. I visited the museum recently and the spots where the stolen paintings hung are still empty, waiting for their return. The author’s note at the end about the real investigation is fascinating.

GREAT READ

LOVED THIS BOOK! THE STORYLINE IS AMAZINGLY WELL WRITTEN, AS IS THE DIALOGUE. I AM ALREADY ATTACHED TO THE CHARACTERS, AND THERE IS JUST THE RIGHT AMOUNT OF HUMOR. THE PROMISE OF ROMANCE IS PROMISING, AS WELL. HIGHLY RECOMMEND.

Riveting

Captured and held my attention to the end. Planned to listen to one or two chapters a day. Finished it all i two days!

Fast Moving

The story moved fast with enough detail. Listened to the whole work in one day. Really kept my attention.

I Loved the Karina Cardinal Series!

After reading and loving Ellen Butler's book, The Brass Compass, I discovered the Karina Cardinal Series. I downloaded the first 4 audio books while recovering from a back injury, and listened to the first 4 books in 5 days, then downloaded the Kindle version of the 5th book, which is not yet in audio format. I loved every book. They are all great! Each one is a page turner, but all have funny aspects to them as well. I really enjoy meeting and loving a character that's part of a series, and really enjoyed this series, and Karina's character, including her intelligence, courage, and ability to think on her feet. The fifth book was my favorite, and I'm looking forward to the audio version coming out. I hope that Ellen Butler will continue to write more in the Karina Cardinal Series. Justine Eyre also does a great job with the narration, which is excellent! Overall, the series is really great. I highly recommend it!