Gathering Chrysanthemums

“In my paintings, the truth will be revealed.” The brief note from the painter Desquenne has consumed Nicolas for thirty-five years. With the help of art dealer Nancie Poirier, Nicolas seeks out and purchases every Desquenne he can find, searching for what truth might be hidden. Olivia Dickens is an art historian who has taken over her father’s life work—studying the art of minor impressionists…especially Desquenne. When Olivia is called in regarding the restoration of a Desquenne painting nearly lost to fire, she discovers a hidden message. White chrysanthemums (truth) and orange marigolds (cruelty) hold the key to uncovering dark secrets. The mystery unfolds as Olivia pieces together the clues, but will she discover the truth before history repeats itself?

The story is told in six parts, one for each painting that provides Olivia with a new clue. Chapters are short, and the overall effect is similar to an impressionist painting. Light strokes don’t seem like much from up close, but seen as a whole, with the right perspective, everything falls into place with astonishing clarity. It’s a quiet read, with pretty little details painted with words, but intensity builds as more is uncovered until the heart-racing conclusion reveals all.