Forgery, Fiber and Fatal Errors

When Dr. Eliza Bennett accepts a short-term consultancy at a quiet Midwestern museum, she expects spreadsheets, provenance reports, and long nights alone with data.

What she does not expect is a body in the conservation lab.

Nor does she expect to become the prime witness in a murder investigation that smells faintly of linseed oil, forged masterpieces, and professional jealousy.

As the museum reels from the shocking death of its formidable head conservator, Eliza finds herself pulled into a web of ambition, counterfeit art, and secrets worth killing for. The suspects are polished, powerful, and dangerously invested in what the truth might expose.

Fortunately for Eliza, she is not alone.

Merlin—her orange-and-white feline companion—is many things: brilliant, opinionated, deeply unimpressed by human behavior… and entirely convinced that everyone is lying. From the safety of his carrier (and occasionally from far too close to the crime scene), Merlin observes what others miss, questions what others accept, and offers commentary no detective asked for—but desperately needs.

As the investigation deepens and the pressure mounts, Eliza must decide how far she’s willing to go for the truth… and whether trusting a cat with a superiority complex might be her smartest move yet.

Smart, stylish, and sharply funny, this is a cozy mystery with teeth—where art lies, people deceive, and one cat absolutely knows better than everyone else.

Start the investigation today—one-click now and let Merlin show you how a real detective does the thinking.

AI dialog salad

How many alternative endings, middles, and beginnings can one have? Apparently at least 4. Confusing and difficult to follow.