A Cruel Light

⭐⭐⭐.5

A Cruel Light by Cyndi MacMillan is an intriguing mix of art, murder, and buried secrets that will captivate readers...

Hidden away for decades, a cryptic mural resurfaces during the renovation of an old parsonage, revealing deadly clues related to a brutal crime that shook the town to its core. Annora Garde, a conservator hired by the local police, is tasked with cleaning the painting and unearthing its hidden secrets.

Inspector Scott ‘Mac' MacGowan believes that the mural holds the key to solving the cold case, but someone is desperate to keep the past buried. As Annora and Mac work together to piece together the puzzle and provide closure for the victim's family, they find themselves haunted by both the toxic mold obscuring vital clues and by their own tragic losses. As they get closer to revealing the killer's identity, danger lurks around every corner.

The book's premise is highly original, centered around an art conservator using her skills to aid in catching a murderer. The cover of A Cruel Light is also visually stunning. However, there are areas where improvement is needed. The plot feels somewhat scattered and could benefit from better organization. Additionally, while there is a romantic subplot, it lacks depth and fails to leave a lasting impression. Furthermore, more development could be given to the characters to make them more engaging.

Despite these drawbacks, I found A Cruel Light to be an entertaining read overall. Its unique concept and suspenseful storyline kept me engaged throughout.

ARC Via NetGalley