Murder by the Stroke Book Review | A Fiona Quinn Mystery by C.S. McDonald
A celebrated artist, a complicated past, and a nearly invisible clue draw Fiona Quinn into a Pittsburgh murder mystery painted with secrets.
When C.S. McDonald invited me to return to the Fiona Quinn Mysteries, I was delighted to discover that Fiona's adventures had continued while I was away. Murder by the Stroke, the twelfth book in the series, reunites readers with Fiona and Detective Nathan Landry as the arrival of Nathan's glamorous former flame turns a highly anticipated art exhibit into something far more dangerous.
In this Murder by the Stroke book review, I'll share why this clean, fast-paced cozy reminded me how much fun it is to follow Fiona through Pittsburgh, especially when clever clues, suspicious characters, everyday family moments, and plenty of laughter are along for the ride.
Details
Murder by the Stroke By C.S. McDonald
Series: Fiona Quinn Mysteries, Book 12
Published by McWriter Books on November 2023
Genres: Cozy Mystery
Formats: Audiobook, eBook, Paperback
Pages: 240
Detective Landry's old flame is drop-dead gorgeous, and so are her paintings!
Pittsburgh’s most influential cultural enthusiasts are overjoyed when famous artist, Vashti, has scheduled a gala followed by a weeklong exhibit of her latest works. On the other hand, Detective Nathan Landry isn’t so excited about the invitation he has received to the gala. Back in the day, he and the renowned painter were lovers. That is, when her name was Sadie Jensen, or as Nathan’s sister liked to call her, “Psycho Sadie.”
Art experts, and collectors alike, have been intrigued by a tiny brush stroke, known as an invisible stroke. So subtle and out of place is the technique, that Vashti’s elusive stroke has become as famous as a Where’s Waldo search.
Meanwhile, Fiona finds herself captivated by more than Vashti’s flair for the obscure. Rather, she is far more interested in the gorgeous artist and Nathan’s past. Against his wishes, Fiona, her mother, and her mother-in-law attend the exhibit.
Indeed, Vashti’s paintings are killing it in the art world, and in more ways than one.
I received a complimentary copy of this book for review. All opinions and thoughts shared here are entirely my own.
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Reader Resources
Reader Info at a Glance
| Best For | Readers who enjoy clean, humorous cozies with clever clues and relatable characters |
| Pacing | Fast and efficient; easily enjoyed in one or two sittings |
| Mystery Style | Clue-rich with clever red herrings and details worth watching closely |
| Romance & Violence | Clean romance with limited, non-gratuitous violence |
| Setting | Contemporary Pittsburgh and its lively art scene |
| Overall Feel | Lighthearted, engaging, familiar, and satisfyingly twisty |
| Rating | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
Curious how I rate books? Read my full rating system here.
Quick Take: Readers who enjoy clean, quick-moving cozies will find clever clues, relatable characters, and plenty of humor packed into this nearly one-sitting mystery.
Things to Know:
- Series Context. This is book twelve in the Fiona Quinn Mysteries, so returning readers will recognize the ongoing relationships and family dynamics.
- Pay Attention. The mystery moves quickly, and seemingly small details may become important clues.
- Content Level. Expect clean romance and limited, non-graphic violence appropriate for a lighthearted cozy mystery.
- Kindle Unlimited. Although Cindy provided an ePub review copy, I chose to read the KU edition; all Fiona Quinn Mysteries were available through Kindle Unlimited at the time of this review.
Here's how the book worked for me as a reader.
My Thoughts
It has been a while since I last visited Fiona Quinn, and I had forgotten just how enjoyable these cozy mysteries are. Murder by the Stroke quickly reminded me why I have returned to this series so many times. It offers plenty of mystery, clever red herrings, relatable moments, and, as always, plenty of laughter.
The art-centered mystery gives this installment a personality of its own. The arrival of Vashti, Nathan's beautiful and unpredictable former flame, adds a wonderfully personal complication for Fiona, whose curiosity about their history is every bit as strong as her interest in the murder. The elusive invisible stroke also provides a distinctive puzzle, turning every painting, conversation, and suspicious detail into a potential clue.
Fiona remains such an appealing and relatable character. Between adjusting to newlywed life, corralling her parents and the dogs, and finding herself drawn ever deeper into another murder investigation, she could be any one of us, assuming murder followed us around quite so regularly. Her curiosity and determination make her easy to root for, even when she edges into situations Nate would prefer she avoid.
Nate is his typical focused self, with little patience for nonsense that distracts him from his work or Fiona. His addiction to miniature Snickers bars also remains firmly intact. I swear I gained five pounds just watching him eat them!
The pacing is fast and efficient, carrying the reader from beginning to end in nearly one sitting. C.S. McDonald has an impressive ability to write descriptively without becoming repetitive. Every line feels as though it is there for a reason, so readers need to pay attention. Blink, and you might miss an important clue.
You always know what you will find in a Fiona Quinn mystery: clean romance, limited and never-gratuitous violence, engaging characters, plenty of humor, and a spellbinding mystery you will delight in trying to solve. Murder by the Stroke delivers all of that while providing a welcome return to Fiona, Nate, and their delightfully entertaining world.
Final Thoughts
Murder by the Stroke reminded me exactly why the Fiona Quinn Mysteries have remained such an enjoyable series. C.S. McDonald combines an intriguing puzzle with familiar characters, lighthearted humor, and everyday moments that make the story feel welcoming from the very first page.
Readers who enjoy clean, fast-paced cozy mysteries filled with clever clues, engaging suspects, and plenty of personality should find this one thoroughly entertaining. I'm delighted to have spent time with Fiona and Nate again, and I won't let quite so much time pass before my next visit.
Before we wrap up, here's a little more about the author behind Fiona Quinn.
Meet the Author
Learn more:
Facebook | Amazon | Goodreads | Author Hub
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