Customer Reviews

Artistic License

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Chicagoan Julie Hyzy's debut novel Artistic License is a book of a different sort, more of a slice-of-life romance than a mystery; it is nevertheless an engaging story, made especially interesting by its complex, realistic heroine, Annie Callaghan.

Annie is an artist living in Chicago, a struggling painter trying to build a career and rebuild her life after kicking out her ne'er-do-well husband. Things become even more complicated for her when she discovers that her last, ill-advised fling with her husband has resulted in an unexpected pregnancy.

Were it not for the tender relationship she forms with Sam Morgan, her new friend and employer, Annie would probably fall apart. This is especially true once the mystery of the plot unfolds. It involves her ex-husband, a shady lawyer and a missing masterpiece of art.

Hyzy's work is tentative at points and the suspense of her story is never as tightly wound as it might be, but the real draw here is the finely crafted characters and the interactions between them. This first-time author has begun her career with a promising start.

Artistic License is an important books for several reasons. First and foremost, it's a really great read. I don't read a lot of cozies or romances, but this one blends the genres of mystery and suspense so well, that it goes down as smooth as a cool drink on a hot day. Hyzy's handling of the grittier aspects of crime fiction also deserve high praise.
Which brings me to reason number two. It's rare when a book succeeds on so many levels, but Artistic License does just that. Fans of romantic suspense will be thrilled by Anne Callahan's exploits, while lovers of police porcedurals will be hoping to see more of the adroitly depicted cops and unsavory characters. I was sorry to finish this one because I wanted it to go on and on.
Which brings up reason number three. As a first-time novelist, Hyzy avoids many of the mistakes and pitfalls that usually plague first books. She shows a fine grasp of plotting and pacing, and knows that sometimes giving your reader just enough, keeps him turning those pages. Her writing style is polished and full of grace (She must have been born on a Monday!), and the characters are so real that I felt I was leaving some old friends when I closed the cover the final time. What we're witnessing with Artistic License is the first work of an emerging star.
I can't wait for her next novel. Bring it on!

In Tinsley Park, near Chicago, after almost five years of marriage to her loser of a spouse Gary, Annie Callaghan files for divorce. However, Gary persuades her to come out for lunch to talk. A few drinks later, Gary charms his way into her bedroom. Two months later, Annie is pregnant, but decides to finalize the divorce anyway.

Sam Morgan hires Annie to paint a mural on the wall of Millie's Ice Cream Parlour. Her preliminary work looks great until two young boys slop paint all over the wall. Their parents hire Annie to paint murals on the bedroom walls of their children. However, unbeknownst to Annie, that initial act of childhood vandalism has left her knowing about a stolen masterpiece, a Durer painting from the fifteenth century worth ten million dollars. Only Sam, who she now loves, tries to keep Annie safe.

Though readers will wonder why DeChristopher even allowed Annie into his home, fans will appreciate this delightful fine arts mystery. Annie is a charming soul who captures readers' hearts and, as important, their attention as she jumps from the frying pan of Gary into a fire of art theft and murder. The support cast enhances the audience's insight into the beleaguered heroine as Julie A. Hyzt provides a delightful inadvertent (on Annie's part) amateur sleuth tale.

Harriet Klausner

Julie Hyzy is a very good 'cozy' author. If you are not familiar with what that word 'cozy' means it's this - no bloody gore, fleshed-out characters you can relate to, set in a small town with a good mystery revolving around it all. Well, at least that is my opinion of the definition. I have read all of Ms. Hyzy's books and shall continue to do so as long as she writes them. That does not mean that I'll forego Grisham, Balducci, Vince Flynn, Patterson or Sanford. Nor the biographies or political books. It just means that everyone should pick up an interesting cozy ever so often and relax and figure out the villain - there's always one or two.

Although, I liked her White House Chef books better than this one it might be because I read those one right after the other as a series. This one, so far, is a stand-alone. It's a good 'romance mystery' and a quick, fun read.

I enjoyed reading this book. The story was captivating and the characters interesting. The romance aspect was perhaps a little drawn out, but that is most likely just my preference speaking as I don't really care for romance in mysteries.
Overall though I thought it was a very entertaining read.

The book was just what I needed for light reading - an escape from the stress of work, studying, and life. The writing is descriptive in a way that you really get to know each and every character. It reads like a romance/action Lifetime movie and is vivid enough that you can actually visualize what's going on. Right now the book is free on Kindle, so you can get romance, action, humor, and relaxation for some time well spent with your Kindle!

To be critical: the main character makes some really stupid decisions throughout the book (and I found myself saying 'c'mon, REALLY?' several times), the plot is not incredibly original, and the book put this annoying craving in my head for chocolate milkshakes :) I recommend this book, however, for an enjoyable, low-concentration read.

I thought this was a great quick read. Annie, Sam, Gary, and Pete are characters that jump right off the page. I thought this was a fun lighthearted read - not too much romance, and not too much mystery. Not a suprise or who done it, and the ending was quite predictable, but interesting none the less. I would recommend this book for someone looking for a quick weekend read.

This is more of a romance than a cozy mystery novel. I bought it because I really like Ms. Hyzy's other series (e.g. Buffalo West Wing), and was disappointed that the plot wasn't more complex. For more suspense, buy one of her later novels, and check this novel out at your local library.

I am glad to hear that this authors other books are good. She is a good writer, but the characters were pretty depressing. The main character ' s soon to be ex husband is completely unappealling, her continued interactions with him led me to think much less of the main character, and the ex's sidekick was really repulsive.

I did not get very attached to any of the characters. Not a bad read, but I kept reading to see if it got better, but no.

If you are looking for a quick and entertaining read, this is the story for you. The story starts out interesting, and continues on. I won't give it away, but the fact that the first sentence starts the way it does pulled me right in. The character development is great. The author doesn't rush descriptions, and keeps everything at a great pace so I felt like I was really getting to know these characters pretty well. Pacing was key in why I'm rating this story the way I am.

I feel like Annie has a lot to learn in life. During the story, she tends to make some decisions that most people would slap some sense in to her for. She seems to trust her ex even though he has done so much in his past. I feel that most women would not feel this way, but that's also one of the reasons I enjoyed this book. It was a dimension I'm not used to so it pulled me away from reality, even if it was just for a bit.

Pacing, as I said already, was key. So many stories seemed either rushed or drawn out, but this was a quick, light hearted read that I really enjoyed. I will be looking in to more stories by this author, and I definitely recommend that you read this. You won't be disappointed if you are in to quick, and not too complicated stories that can still hold your interest until the end.