The Gifted: A Joanne Kilbourn Mystery (2013) - Plot & Excerpts
I received this book from my granddaughter who won it here on Goodreads. I believe on passing it forward when it comes to books...they are not cheap to buy and for the dwindling population that prefers to hold a book in your hand, versus an ereader, I think it makes it more important in preserving the written page.This book apparently is the 14th in a series. This is the first one I have read. So I believe if I had read the books that came before I would have enjoyed this more. In general I enjoy reading authors who continue with the same cast of characters through several books...there is a familiarity and a comfort in this. Sometimes I think we really relate to a particular character or picture ourselves as that character....Having said that, I have to rate this book as a one off, as that is what is was for me. The story is simple and it is an easy read. However, it took half the book to get into the story. It is listed as a mystery...which usually means there is a murder somewhere between the lines...and it didn't happen until half way through the book. The killer was predictable. Perhaps I will pick up a few of the early books by Gail Bowen and taste her talent again.Canadian author. Story takes place in Saskatchewan. In the latest Joanne Kilbourn Mystery, Joanne and Zack's young daughter, Taylor, is beginning to make a name for herself as an artist. Her latest two paintings bring amazing prices in a charity auction held for the Racette-Hunter Community Center. In the portrait that fetches the highest price, her beautiful male model, Julian, is nude, a fact not known to Joanne and Zack until the auction.Julian is used to manipulating women and considers fifteen-year-old Taylor easy prey. While he is pressuring Taylor to continue her art under his supervision, he is having an affair with one of Zack's oldest friends. He convinces Taylor that together they can take her art to new levels.The murder of Julian's lover brings things to a head. Zack is involved as a lawyer and Joanne is involved because she discovered the body. Julian's hold on Taylor is stronger than ever. Joanne and Zack worry that putting limits on Taylor's contact with him will play right into Julian's hands.This is the fourteenth of the Joanne Kilbourn mysteries and as always, I enjoyed it. Bowen makes changes in Joanne's life that offer new challenges. Her family is always in the forefront and she is always prepared to do whatever she can to change the social injustices in their city of Regina.
What do You think about The Gifted: A Joanne Kilbourn Mystery (2013)?
One of the most boring and terribly written books I have read. Her earlier books are much better.
—rose
More a social issues novel with a murder tossed in.
—LionessRampant
Borrowed this book from library. Excellent read.
—Jag1002
