Lesson In Red

This is the delicious new novel that I enjoyed extremely. The prestigious art world is the perfect setting for this thriller. I recommend this book. It’s definitely going to be the best of the year.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this book. I thoroughly enjoyed Hummel’s first book so I was excited to see there was a sequel (although they are calling it a companion). If you forgot what happened in "Still Lives" they do a good job jogging your memory in what happened. Because of this you do not necessarily have to have read "Still Lives" to read this one, but it does give you some background. This one closely mirrors "Still Lives" in that there is a mystery in the art-world that is trying to be solved that brings Maggie Richter back to Los Angeles. Out June 1.

Really enjoyed this thriller set in the art world.Second in the series but can be stand alone.Loved the setting the characters will be recommending,#netgalley#counterpoint

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.

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.

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"!

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.

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!