Book Review: The Metropolitan Affair #NewYorkMysteries #CozyMysteries

BOOK DESCRIPTION (FROM AMAZON)

For years her explorer father promised Dr. Lauren Westlake she’d accompany him on one of his Egyptian expeditions. But as the empty promises mounted, Lauren determined to earn her own way. Now the assistant curator of Egyptology for the Metropolitan Museum of Art, Lauren receives two unexpected invitations.

The first is her repentant father’s offer to finally bring her to Egypt as his colleague on a new expedition. The second is a chance to enter the world of New York’s wealthiest patrons who have been victims of art fraud.

With Egyptomania sweeping the city after the discovery of King Tut’s tomb, Detective Joe Caravello is on the hunt for a notorious forger preying on the open wallets of New York’s high society. Dr. Westlake is just the expert he needs to help him track the criminal. Together they search for the truth, and the closer Lauren and Joe get to discovering the forger’s identity, the more entangled they become in a web of deception and crime.

BOOK REVIEW

This cozy mystery is set in 1920s New York. Lauren Westlake is an Egyptologist who works at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. She is the daughter of acclaimed archaeologist Lawrence Westlake, who spent most of Lauren’s life working on his career and not his relationship with his daughter. But now he’s back and wants to get closer by having Lauren join him on a dig in Egypt. Then Lauren is approached by old friend/beau Joe Caravello, a police detective. He suspects a ring of forgers is selling fake Egyptian artifacts. Will Lauren help him?

What a great cozy read! This is the first book in the On Central Park series by Jocelyn Green. The descriptions of 1920s New York, especially of Central Park and the Museum, bring the city and that time period to life. The author’s research into Egyptology was extremely thorough, as the main character’s knowledge of the subject is extensive. The reader learns so much about Egyptian artifacts and how to tell a fake. Lauren’s struggles in her relationship with her father are heartbreaking and real. Her relationship with Joe is a refreshing break from the constant disappointment she suffers at the hands of her father. The mystery is complex and includes plenty of red herrings.

This is great historical fiction with engaging, interesting characters and a lesson in Egyptology. I highly recommend this novel to cozy mystery lovers and those interested in Egyptian artifacts. The Christian messages include faith and forgiveness.

My rating is 4.5 stars, rounded up to 5 on sites with no half-star option.

I received a free copy of this book from Bethany House. My review is voluntary and the opinions expressed are my own.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Jocelyn Green inspires faith and courage as the award-winning and bestselling author of numerous fiction and nonfiction books, including The Mark of the King; Wedded to War; and The 5 Love Languages Military Edition, which she coauthored with bestselling author Dr. Gary Chapman. Her books have garnered starred reviews from Booklist and Publishers Weekly, and have been honored with the Christy Award, the gold medal from the Military Writers Society of America, and the Golden Scroll Award from the Advanced Writers & Speakers Association. She graduated from Taylor University in Upland, Indiana, with a B.A. in English, concentration in writing. She loves Mexican food, Broadway musicals, pie, the color red, and reading with a cup of tea. Jocelyn lives with her husband Rob and two children in Cedar Falls, Iowa.

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