I love Hummer’s writing. I learned a lot about the art world. I did like Still Lives better, though. Thanks for the review copy.

synopsis sounded very intriguing but this really didn’t work for me sadly. this was my first book from this author, and although it was pretty short i felt like it dragged and i was bored for most of it

Lesson in Red is a delightfully written thriller set within LA’s art community in the early-aughts. Like like its companion novel Still Lives, Lesson in Red follows journalist Maggie Richter, who is drawn into an investigation surrounding the alleged suicide of a up-and-coming art student Brenae Brasil. Teaming up again with private investigator (and love interest) Ray, Maggie pieces together the events leading up to Brenae’s death, while Ray continues working to uncover the identity of his brother’s murderer.

Hummel is a wonderful writer, creating a mystery novel that defies genre, its prose that usually found in literary fiction. This novel provides not only an interesting mystery but a fascinating peek into the insidious sexism and rape culture within the LA art community (as well as the wider art world and society itself), while also celebrating the beauty inherent to art. While Maggie is not by any means a crafty sleuth, I found the story to be enjoyable and recommend it to those who enjoy some cultural commentary in their mystery novels. I also recommend first reading the book’s companion novel Still Lives, the events of which precede those in A Lesson in Red and cover similar themes.

Thank you to netgalley.com for providing a free copy of this novel!

A great sequel or continuation of Hummel's previous novel. Her training as a poet is so clear here--in beautiful and vivid language, this book builds a world that draws us in and keeps us engaged.

3.5 stars

Lesson in Red is the sequel to Still Lives, which focuses on 28-year-old Maggie Richter, a copy editor/publicist for the Rocque Museum in Los Angeles. The Rocque is an avant-garde gallery that hosts controversial art exhibits, such as one featuring every artist deemed offensive by a powerful politician.

During the grand opening of Kim Lord's exhibit called Still Lives, about female murder victims, the artist is killed. Maggie helps investigate and becomes very disturbed as she helps private detective Ray Hendricks track down the perpetrator.

As Lesson in Red opens, Maggie is taking a break from her job at the Rocque while she recuperates from the Kim Lord ordeal. In fact Maggie is thinking of quitting the museum and becoming a freelance journalist. So Maggie is intrigued when wealthy museum founder Janis Rocque asks her to write a story about 22-year-old Brenae Brasil, a Los Angeles Art College (LAAC) graduate student who allegedly committed suicide.

Brenae was an up-and-coming video artist who made a well-received film called Packing, which documented the week she spent carrying a loaded gun on her person 24/7 - to campus, to the grocery store, to the bathroom, to meals, to bed. Later, Brenae was killed with the gun, and police investigators determined it was a self-inflicted wound.

Janis Roque isn't so sure though. Before Brenae died, she sent Janis a copy of an unreleased film called Lesson in Red, in which Brenae is having sex with a man whose face is obscured. In a voiceover, Brenae observes she's being coerced by the man, who has power over her career.

Janis believes the man is connected with LAAC, which has a well-known culture of giving preferential treatment to men. Janis even speculates that LAAC would cover up sexual harassment/rape, so she asks Maggie and private investigator Ray Hendricks to expose the man in Brenae's video, and to publicize the toxic environment for women at LAAC.

To accomplish this, Maggie goes undercover as a gallerina at The Westing Gallery, where LAAC director Hal Giroux is mounting an exhibit called Shoe Cathedral. Brenae was one of Giroux's mentees, and his four remaining protégés - Erik, Zania, Layla, and Pearson - are doing the physical work of stringing shoes into columns and arches. The plan is for Maggie to spy on the foursome before and after they're shown Lesson in Red by Ray Hendricks, to see if they give anything away.

Maggie has well-honed detective instincts as well as drive and perseverance, all of which help her discover the truth.....but not before lives are endangered.

There's much more going on in the book, about the art scene in Los Angeles; the rivalry among museum directors; the trade in illegal antiquities; Ray's continuing investigation into his brother's death; and the romantic attraction between Maggie and Ray.

This all adds up to an entertaining mystery that gives the reader a fascinating peek into the art world.

Thanks to Netgalley, Maria Hummel, and Counterpoint Press for a copy of the book.

I really loved this book!! It had so many twists and turns. It kept me on the edge of my seat wondering what was going to happen next!! This was my first book by this Author, and it won’t be the last!! Quick read!! Highly recommended!! You won’t be disappointed!!

I was reminded of William Faulkner when I read Maria Hummel’s latest art world mystery, LESSON IN RED. Both use innovative but abstruse storytelling structures. Faulkner, with his unpunctuated stream-of-consciousness; Hummel, with a chaotic narrative that lacks timelines or clearly defined characters.

Both show the world through a cloudy lens, reflecting the blurred edges of real life. Now Faulkner grew on me after time and study. I suspect Hummel will too. Recommended for literary readers who appreciate fresh writing styles.

3 of 5 Stars

Pub Date 01 Jun 2021
#LessonInRed #NetGalley

Thanks to the author, Counterpoint Press, and NetGalley for the review copy. Opinions are mine.

Not Gripping and Not Interesting….

I am disappointed after reading the convincing reviews of her first book and the promotions for this new mystery.

I have been a reviewer for years and have read many novels that lose the connection among the characters which negatively impacts the plot and the denouement. The confusion in this book begins from the first page. The author bounces back and forth from geographical settings and then introduces countless characters with little introductions. Who is Erik? What does Ray do for a living? What is the purpose of Layla?

The story involves the death of Brenae Brasil, an emerging star at LAAC, Los Angeles Art College, a prestigious art school. The main protagonist Is Maggie Richter, who returns to the West coast for her job at the Rocque Museum. She finds herself involved in the sordid life of many video artists, including the victim. We are introduced to Brenae’s work when, for some reason, her video of Packing (as in a gun) is shown to a group. It is shocking but her later “death” video is ultra-disturbing.

Right from the beginning, I thought I missed a few chapters when all these characters and action scenes took place without any prologue. There are no timelines. Scenes happen, new characters appear and motives come and go, Maggie is a journalist by trade but seems to be at a crossroads. She has many friends, or so it appears, and yet, she is a loner.

There are so many characters, you really need a scorecard. Most of them have “baggage,” but, after all, it is California, and the art scene.
2.5 stars

My gratitude to NetGalley and Counterpoint for access to this pre-published book. All opinions expressed are my own..

I read Still Lives earlier this month and I loved it. I was thrilled to find out there was a sequel coming out!! It felt like I got to catch up with old friends. I think I even loved Lesson in Red more than the first one! The author has such a unique voice and I love the intrigue of the LA art world.

Brenae Brasil is an up and coming artist at LAAC, but she very tragically takes her life. The police and her friends seem to write it off as a suicide, but the founder of a famous art museum, The Rocque, has evidence that something more sinister may have taken place.

After months away, Maggie Richter returns to LA and her job at the Rocque and she finds herself tangled up in the mystery of Brenae Brasil. Can she uncover what really happened?

This follow-up to Still Lives, which I really enjoyed, continues to examine dynamics of power, fame, and talent in the art world. This time, a young and promising art student has killed herself - or was it murder?

Comparing this latest novel and Still Lives as if they were paintings, Lesson in Red is far more abstract. Like Hummel’s previous novel, the writing is lovely, and the sense of mood and place are great. As a love letter to Los Angeles and its art, this book really works. Unfortunately though, its abstraction makes it fall a bit short as a mystery, which most readers (myself included) will expect to have a certain thrilling structure. I agree with other reviewers too that the book has far too many characters, many of whom do not end up mattering much to the story.

It is always a pleasure to read Maria Hummel, and I will pick up any book she writes. However, I would have liked for this book to contain a bit more of the traditional mystery thrills and chills, as Still Lives did. I had a bit of a tough time getting invested in the central mystery, though I loved the many descriptions of the LA art world and its denizens.

3.5 stars with thanks to Counterpoint Press, the author and NetGalley for the ARC. I recommend this author, but would recommend you pick up Still Lives first.

Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! No spoilers. Beyond amazing I enjoyed this book so very much. The characters and storyline were fantastic. The ending I did not see coming Could not put down nor did I want to. Truly Amazing and appreciated the whole story. This is going to be a must read for many many readers. Maybe even a book club pick.

Hummel's fans will no doubt be pleased to see a second outing for Maggie Richter and another indictment of the art world in Los Angeles. However, if you, like me, missed Still Lives, you might find yourself pulling at straw. The writing doesn't help. The basic premise that Maggie is charged with investigating why a Brenae Basil, a young female artist committed suicide is a good one- there's clearly something wrong at the Los Angeles Art College. Problem was that I never felt strongly about Brenae. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. Wasn't for me but loves of literary fiction might give it a try.

An enthralling companion to "Still Lives" once again delves into the art world's dark side. Maggie Richter returns to Los Angeles and to her job at the Rocque Museum to restart her career and life. However, she is approached by her boss Janis, private detective Ray and Alicia assigning Maggie with an assignment to investigate the death of Brenae Brasil, a rising artist. Throughout this ordeal, Maggie grapples with her career and the drive for Brenae's voice to be heard.

Maria Hummel does an exceptional job in shining the cataclysmic use of power and sexual politics that interplays heavily in the art community. She explores the vulnerability in women and the portrayal of women's bodies and the effect of one's self-defense. As the readers immerse into Maggie's investigation and Brenae's video artwork, without straying from the storyline Maria Hummel delivers a keen analysis and with nuance in the corruption on biases towards patriarchy and the exploitation in the art community. The characters lack development but the thematic premise is intriguing to keep the readers invested to continue. Also readers whom enjoyed "Still Lives" will appreciate this sequel. A canny and thought-provoking thriller contradicting the glitz and glamour by immersing into the shadowy society of the arts.

Thank you to NetGalley and Counterpoint Press for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

If you're interested in reading a mystery/thriller set in the artistic landscape of LA with a more experimental writing style, Lesson In Red could be for you. I'd recommend reading Still Lives first though, but I wouldn't say it's completely necessary.

What I struggled with for Lesson In Red was that it was overwhelming. Even though I did read Still Lives the summer it was published, I had a lot of issues trying to connect the dots. I had to do a lot of backtracking and considerably slow down my pace just to make sure I was getting everything.

While the writing style was refreshing and none of the suspense felt cheap, I was only really starting to get into the book when it neared its climax. I remember enjoying Still Lives, but I think this author might be hit or miss for me. Thank you Netgalley and Counterpoint.

Lessons In Red is a “companion” book to the amazing Still Lives. Could be read as a stand alone but Still Lives was amazing! I enjoyed the art world mystery again! It really kept my attention and I was able to devour the book quickly!

Maria Hummel's Lessons in Red is a companion to Still Lives. This LA-based mystery occurs in the art scene of the early 2000 and focuses on how sexism and the desire to keep power and control the narrative and voice shape art and society. Protagonist Maggie Richter, an inspiring journalist who works for the Rocque Museum, is recruited to investigate the death of a rising artist, Brenae Brasil. Along the way, she grapples with her career, trying to save the Rocque and working to ensure Brenae Brasil's voice is heard.

In the end, I enjoyed this story. As I didn't read Still Lives, there were a few times I found myself wondering about the backstory. My guess is would be I would have a more detailed understanding of Maggie, her team at the Rocque and Ray, her quasi love interest, if I had read Still Lives first. The beginning was slow to start, and I found myself putting it down for other reads often. However, once I got into Maggie going undercover, things got more interesting.

While the characters are not as in-depth as I would have liked, they did show the ups, downs, and struggles of budding artists. I found the female artists to be the most captivating as they inserted themselves in a male-dominated art scene. The controversy of Brenae Brasil's art and death reflected all the female characters' pain and determination. It shows us that when it comes to sexism and patriarchy, our stories are different and intertwined together.

This companion novel to Maria Hummel's "Still Lives" draws the reader into the complicated interplay between personal relationships, status, and power in LA's contemporary art scene. The author's skillful scene-setting and introduction of characters ensured that even without having read "Still Lives," I eased into the story's "world" without difficulty.

This wasn't a page-turner for me; the writing was smarter than an airport thriller's prose can be. I wanted to savor the language and spend time with the characters as much as I cared about solving the mystery.

Now, off to read "Still Lives"!

i did not know when i requested this book that it is a sequel (“companion”?) to “still lives”. was that in the description? i liked “still lives”. i like this one too. the author can get a little too tricky with the resolution of these plots & in both books i forgot the “why” of some of the criminals motivations. and the scene with missing the actress interview made no sense. and yeah, again, both books are wildly confusing. but the subject matter is great. the setting is great. if i never read another book about new york city it’ll still be too soon. feminist fine art & los angeles & murder mysteries are great.

Loved the LA art scene as a setting/world for a mystery. But, the unraveling of the mystery itself was a bit clunky.

Brenae Brasil is a rising star at Los Angeles Art College, the most prestigious art school in the country, and her path to art world celebrity is all but assured. Until she is found dead on campus, just after completing a provocative documentary about female bodies, coercion, and self-defense.

This book was enjoyable! Not my typical read..... But still I liked it! The characters were relatable. The writing was great! Good quick read for spring break.