this was an enjoyable read, I liked the premise from the beginning and it had what I was looking forward to in a mystery novel.

Beautifully written with rich historical detail. I loved the characters and thick plot.
Many thanks to Windchime Press LLC and to NetGalley for providing me with a galley in exchange for my honest opinion.

I thoroughly enjoyed this novel. It had great historical perspective and was very suspenseful. I liked the past and present interplay. I look forward to the next book by Cumiskey.

Thank you to Windchime Press and NetGalley for a free copy in exchange for an honest review.

Historical fiction mixed with an intriguing mystery - this was a quick and mostly enjoyable read, even though the genre is not really my thing. The link between history and present-day was interesting, but I found the story a bit far-fetched, with way too many coincidences that just happened to keep the plot developing. The characters were a bit too cliched for my liking (rich playboy, scummy drug-dealing art dealer, artist with a tortured past), and this is the first time I've heard of an NYPD policeman hopping on a flight to Paris - not just once, but twice - to follow up with a case.

Goodreads review posted here (direct link not possible): https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2947341491?book_show_action=false&from_review_page=1

4 stars

This book moves between New York, Paris and China and timelines are intermixed.

Gerel Garnier of Cartier Paris receives a commission to design, or rather replicate, the 19th Century Qing Dynasty Empress Seal. It is an honored and great opportunity to increase her standing among jewelry designers.

The owner of the Seal is a very wealthy Englishman whose great-grandfather brought the Seal back from one of his journeys to China. He was a famous historian, writer and author. When the Englishman is murdered in New York Detective Ryan and his partner Ive are assigned the case.

Ryan must follow the Seal to Paris where he meets Gerel. At first, he finds her defensive and standoffish, but their relationship softens later in the book. Some of the characters are acting oddly.

This is a well written and plotted novel. It not only follows the dedicated detectives in their search for the killer of Mr. Blackwell, but gives insight to their personalities as well as Gerel's and the other characters in the book. The characters are interesting (if a little odd), and well-fleshed out. I was a little surprised at the ease with which Detective Ryan just hopped on a plane to Paris, not once but more than that. Perhaps the NYPD now allows for travel like that? I do believe that I will look further into Ms. Cumiskey's other novels.

I want to thank NetGalley and Windchime Press, LLC for forwarding to me a copy of this good book for me to read, enjoy and review.