The Alchemist of Brushstrokes & Brimstone - A Review

 Review

THE ALCHEMIST OF BRUSHSTROKES & BRIMSTONE by Gigi Pandian
The Eighth Accidental Alchemist Mystery

 

Zoe Faust’s most treasured possession is a portrait of her with her brother painted by Perenelle Flamel. Both Zoe and Perenelle are put on guard when inquiries about the painting begin. Why the interest after so many years? Zoe is devastated when her painting is stolen, but another theft and a subsequent murder make things even more concerning. Is someone targeting Zoe? Or Perenelle? Is it about alchemy or corporate espionage? Zoe and her friends will join forces to not only retrieve the painting, but allow a gifted artist from the past take her true place in history, while keeping their ultimate secret safe.

 

The melding of science and art is at the heart of the eighth Accidental Alchemist Mystery. I loved the kernels of art history dropped, especially the facts about the creation of paints, along with its dangers. The topic is as fascinating as alchemy, indeed it is a type of alchemy unto itself, whether or not you're using brimstone! 

 

Adding subtle humor Dorian remains my favorite character. I admire his creative process and love how his chapters begin with selections from his Culinary Alchemist's Toolbox, a book, if finished, I would absolutely buy! I also love how Dorian gets Nicholas Flamel involved in his escapades.

 

The mystery also deals with loss on several levels. Losing a loved one is never easy and to help with grief some cling to something tangible to remember them. Thus it is with Zoe and why the theft of her painting is so horrific for her. What lengths will you go to and how much will you risk to keep the memories of lost loved ones alive?

 

In addition to death, there's also loss of recognition. It's a sad truth that women have continually been erased from history, so I'm always pleased when I see this truth being acknowledged and attempts being made to share their stories. Phillipe Hayden may be fictional, but there are many female artists of that time who never received their fair do's, perhaps readers will be encouraged to learn more about these, and other women, who history tries to erase.  

 

The climactic scene had my jaw dropping to the floor with a horrific loss of another kind.

A compelling mystery THE ALCHEMIST OF BRUSHSTROKES & BRIMSTONE is a journey through grief, art, and lost women's history.