What Meets the Eye

By: Alex Kenna

Narrated by: Caitlin Cavannaugh

Kate Myles was a promising Los Angeles police detective—until an accident and opioid addiction blew up her family and destroyed her career. Struggling to rebuild her life, Kate decides to try her hand at private detective work, but she gets much more than she bargained for when she takes on the case of a celebrated painter found dead in a downtown loft.

When Margot Starling’s body was found, the cause of death was assumed to be suicide. Despite her beauty, talent, and fame, she struggled with a host of demons. But as Kate digs deeper, she learns that Margot had a growing list of powerful enemies—among them a shady art dealer who had been selling forged works by Margot. Kate soon uncovers a dirty trail that leads straight into the heart of the city's deadly underworld. Margot died for her art, and if Kate doesn't tread lightly, she could be the next to get brushed out.

©2022 Alex Kenna (P)2022 Dreamscape Media, LLC

Add this Hard-Boiled Detective Thriller to Your Queue

I finished this audiobook in just two days. The story follows an ex-cop (now low-budget PI) as she attempts to solve several art-world murders in Los Angeles. The story unfolds at a rapid pace and never seems to get stuck in the mud. What’s more, the story doesn’t require readers to strain hard to suspend their disbelief. The protagonist is a traditional hard-boiled detective - flawed but relentless. Opioid addiction, divorce, and depression are all sources of conflict for her. These issues, which give this book a more contemporary feel, might have weighed down the plot in the hands of a less-skilled author. Instead, they are folded seamlessly into the story and drive it forward. The supporting cast of cops and crooks are also well-written, and the author keeps you guessing until the end which one of them “done it.” My time was well-spent listening to What Meets the Eye, and I look forward to the sequels!!

Intriguing and well researched

Well paced, complex, and intriguing storyline that left me running through chapters, especially in the latter half of the book. The art world and its criminal underbelly felt deeply researched and plausible. It was also just plain interesting to get a glimpse of this other world I knew little about. The author's background as a prosecutor really shows in her knowledge of the court system and law enforcement. As a prosecutor myself, the depiction of a misdemeanor arraignment calendar courtroom had me simultaneously laughing and cringing because oh man, it's too real!

My favorite part was the main character, Kate. Her dogged personality drove the story. She felt super grounded, a very real portrait of the every day struggles that afflict countless people dealing with personal demons, medical complications, and family drama.

Met the author at a local Barnes & Noble and was intrigued. So glad I did and looking forward to reading her second book!