Gina Rae Mitchell

The Rembrandt Decision (A Pia Sabel Mystery – Sabel Security #12) by Seeley James | Review, Book & Author Info 

Book Details

The Rembrandt Decision by Seeley James
Published by Machined Media on January 18, 2022
Genres: Fiction, Crime, Detective/Sleuth, International Crime, Mystery, Organized Crime, Thriller
Format: eBook, Paperback
Pages: 402

Hours after a man discovers a secret destined to tear his family apart, Pia Sabel discovers his corpse.

As police chief of a small, peaceful town, Scott Jacobsen never expected to investigate his uncle’s murder. Nor did he expect anyone to dig into his adoption or his family’s ties to mobsters. Looming over his investigation, the town is desperately trying to land the Sabel Research Center and its high-paying jobs. But did the mayor have to ask Pia Sabel herself to help him solve the case?

Working with the difficult and enigmatic Sabel is bad enough but now he has a Sophocles-spouting homeless lady as a witness; a stolen masterpiece as a possible motive; and a deadly gangster as a constant threat. Sabel keeps dragging him in incomprehensible directions, giving him reason to question her competence. Yet everything she does brings to light more long-buried secrets—one of which will change his life forever.

In a story that addresses the meaning of family, issues of adoption, identity, inclusion, and rejection arise in many different and unexpected ways.

Source: Received from the author or publisher for review.

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Purchase Links for The Rembrandt Decision

Direct from the author!

Amazon – OneLink for all countries

BookShop     Blackwell’s

Kobo      iTunes     Google Play

Waterstones     The Book Depository

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My thoughts on The Rembrandt Decision

First off, this is the first Seeley James book I have read. Jumping in this late in a series is not my preferred way to operate. However, I had no issues at all following the plot. There were occasional mentions of a character from an earlier book in the series, but it did not impact my ability to follow the story. Now on to the good stuff.

Wow, Pia Sabel is a kick-ass heroine with relatable flaws! My favorite kind of female lead character.

I enjoyed the twist of the female being the billionaire with a “make the world a better place” attitude. Pia is changing the world by solving crimes and donating money where she sees a need, not just through large charities. She also educates people on diversity, racism, adoption bias, and more without being preachy. Pia often presents the facts in a new way allowing a person to draw their conclusions. I might even go so far as to say that she is the new Stephanie Plum, only rich, fit, and has her life together.

Now onto my thoughts about The Rembrandt Decision. I loved it. The author built a suspenseful mystery involving a small Maine town. The local characters personify small-town life where everyone knows everyone else’s business and isn’t afraid to butt in. (Can you tell I am from just such a small town?)

In the first chapter, we learn about a murder. From those first pages, I felt like I would need to repeatedly go back to this chapter to match the clues with what I initially read.

Pia and her advisors visit Deeping to assess its suitability for a new Sabel Research facility. When Pia discovers the corpse before anyone even knows she is in town, local leader & baker Christine has her work cut out to keep the townspeople focused on their job of portraying Deeping in the best light. Her son Scott, the police chief, is more focused on solving the murder.

From here, the story evolves and grows until you just can’t stop reading. Page after page, the intrigue and suspect list grows. Could it be a hit from the nearby crime family? Is the murderer a local with a grudge? My mind chased after every red herring Mr. Seeley put out there. While Pia seemed to have figured the mystery out earlier, I eventually arrived at the same conclusion.

Another highlight for me with this story is the subtle bits of humor. Mr. James certainly has a knack for sprinkling in one-liners and zings to entertain his readers.

“Deeping had more twisted secrets than a Sandra Brown novel.”

I love a dash of self-deprecating humor! Watch for the bit where the author himself makes an appearance. I highlighted that section for my quotes but decided against including it here as the reader needs to discover and enjoy it on their own.

I can’t say much more about the plot without giving away spoilers. The Rembrandt Decision is a page-turning delight full of quirky characters and unique insights while keeping the reader invested in the Sabel team, the town people, and the mystery.

I recommend The Rembrandt Decision by Seeley James to all fans of mystery, intrigue, small towns, and billionaire luxury. What I wouldn’t give to have a household manager like Pia does!

I intend to start reading the Sabel Security series from the beginning. I received book one, Element 42, for signing up to the author’s email list. His messages are some of the most entertaining emails I read. He doesn’t email too often, and when he does, I open it right away. I highly recommend you sign up for Seeley James’ “Secret Society” immediately!

 

I received a digital copy of the book from the author or publisher for a possible review. This review is my honest, unbiased opinion.

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Purchase The Rembrandt Decision online from a local Bookshop!

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Easy Links

Buy digital directly from the author

Amazon – OneLink for all countries 

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