The London Forgery
(A Fabiola Bennett Mystery)
By Heidi Eljarbo
(A Fabiola Bennett Mystery)
By Heidi Eljarbo
Publication Date: 29th August 2023
Publisher: Self-Published
Page Length: 252 Pages
Genre: Historical Mystery / Dual Timeline Historical Fiction
1973
Art historian Fabiola Bennett sees herself as a prudently observant deer who becomes a daring and even mischievous lioness if the situation calls for it. And that’s exactly what’s required when greedy criminals steal, forge, and tamper with treasured artwork. When the crooks add murder to their list of crimes, the chaos is complete.
A mysterious note is delivered anonymously at the door of the National Gallery in London, and the director immediately calls Fabiola’s office in Oslo and pleads with her to come without delay. The message is confusing, but it seems one of her favorite eighteenth-century portraits is in trouble.
Fabiola hops on the first plane and meets up with her vibrant side-kick Pippa Yates and the ever-loyal Detective Inspector Cary Green from New Scotland Yard. But she is not naïve enough to think untangling the purpose and meaning of the mysterious note will be as simple as a walk in Hyde Park. These things never are.
1750
Newly married Robert and Frances Andrews, members of the landed gentry of Suffolk, England, hire young and talented Thomas Gainsborough to paint their wedding portrait. Their desire is a lovely conversation piece showing their wealth and class, an artwork to remember them by for generations to come.
Little do they know the gifted artist portrays their personalities exactly how he perceives them, and the artistic symbolism is not as flattering as they’d hoped for. Even the looming clouds in the distance promise a troublesome future.
This is the first book in a new dual timeline series by Heidi Eljarbo—an intriguing spin-off from the much-loved Soli Hansen Mysteries.
Excerpt
“Pippa? It’s me, Fabiola.”
A loud squeal sounded on the other end of the line. “Fabsi? Are you in London?”
“Yes, I arrived this morning.”
“Awesome. When are you off work? I gather you’re here for work, or you wouldn’t have popped up out of the blue like this. You can’t survive without your calendars and planners. I’m the unpredictable one.”
“Ha-ha…you’re perceptive as always, Pippa. But listen, I’m in town for a few days—perhaps weeks—and need a place to stay. Could you ask your landlady if she has a spare room? I’d rather stay there than at a hotel.”
“Of course. I get off in half an hour. I’ll go straight home and ask her. Where can I reach you? Are you at the National Gallery?”
“Yes, Director Wilson gave me the spare office to use. I need another hour or two, but you can reach me here.”
“Sounds good. Let me grab a piece of paper and jot down your number.”
A few seconds later, Pippa returned, and Fabiola gave her the number to the office she’d be using for the duration of her stay.
“Thanks, sweetie. I’ll call you back as soon as I’ve talked to Mrs. Birdwhistle. But tell me, are you there with that gorgeous Detective Inspector Cary Green?”
Fabiola glanced over at Cary. Leaning with his back against the wall and his arms folded, he appeared totally relaxed and at ease.
“You’re talking to Pippa, aren’t you?” he said, grinning.
Fabiola nodded before turning her attention back to the call. “Yes, Pippa, he’s here. A grave matter has come up, a catastrophe. I’ll tell you later.”
“Zoinks! I can’t wait to hear all about it but take all the time you need. Meanwhile, thinking about that handsome bloke will get me through the rest of my day here at the bookstore. Cheers, Fabsi.”
As Fabiola hung up the phone, Cary stepped away from the wall. He leaned over and placed his hands on the table.
Eyebrows raised, he smiled and said, “Pippa is still on the prowl, is she?”
Fabiola rolled her eyes. “She’s incorrigible when it comes to men. Put a handsome man in front of her and she melts. But to me, Pippa is the most wonderful and loyal friend. I wouldn’t change her one bit.”
“I agree. Everyone should have a Philippa Yates in their life.”
Fabiola pushed an open art catalog across the desk and pointed to a picture on the left page.
Cary picked up the booklet. “So, this is the famous Mr. and Mrs. Andrews. I’ve seen this before.”
“Yes, it’s essentially a double or even triple portrait. It portrays Robert Andrews and his wife, but it also depicts the English countryside, and those were Gainsborough’s two main themes…portraits of people and landscapes. I find it a fresh and inviting way to tell the story of British gentry in 1750.”
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Heidi Eljarbo
Heidi Eljarbo is the bestselling author of historical fiction and mysteries filled with courageous and good characters that are easy to love and others you don't want to go near.
Heidi grew up in a home filled with books and artwork and she never truly imagined she would do anything other than write and paint. She studied art, languages, and history, all of which have come in handy when working as an author, magazine journalist, and painter.
After living in Canada, six US states, Japan, Switzerland, and Austria, Heidi now calls Norway home. She and her husband have fifteen grandchildren—so far—in addition to a bouncy Wheaten Terrier.
Their favorite retreat is a mountain cabin, where they hike in the summertime and ski the vast, white terrain during winter.
Heidi’s favorites are family, God's beautiful nature, and the word whimsical.
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Thank you for hosting Heidi Eljarbo today, with an enticing excerpt from The London Forgery.
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