One of my very favorite things as a reader and book blogger is finding a compelling, interesting, and captivating new book or series. And that’s just what happened when I started reading Counterfeit Conspiracies by Ritter Ames. The first in the new “Bodies of Art” mystery series, Counterfeit Conspiracies is a high-octane, fast-paced thrill ride of a mystery adventure that will definitely leave you anxious for the next installment.

Laurel Beacham has always loved art. Which puts her in the perfect position to be one of the very best at what she does: recover lost stolen art. A child of privilege, Laurel has a high pedigree, but also a high level of debt after her gambler father lost the bulk of her inheritance from her grandfather. Luckily, Laurel loves the adventure that comes along with locating, recovering, and returning great works of art to the people. (And I think she even loves the danger a little bit, too.)

On what was supposed to be a routine job, a vast and tangled conspiracy is set afoot bringing Laurel in contact with my new favorite literary crush, Jack Hawkes. While she knows very little about him – and even her reliable and resourceful coworker Nico can find out precious few details – Jack seems to know every little detail about Laurel, her life, her past, and her work. Not to mention how to track her down at every turn!

Counterfeit Conspiracies takes readers on an exciting whirlwind of a mystery with fast footwork on behalf of plot twists. Like Laurel, you’re never quite sure who you can trust and who you should hotfoot it away from. It’s a European adventure featuring countless references to works of art (that I have tagged and plan to look up when time allows). My attention was caught from chapter one and I didn’t want to stop reading – even when real life and The Day Job forced their way into the forefront!

I was thrilled with this book and I cannot wait to read the next in the series, Marked Masters, which, unfortunately, I have to wait for until later this year. I’m eager to read more about Laurel and Jack and – I’ll be honest – I’m really hoping for a developing romance between these two! Anyone think the publication date will be moved up by a blogger who begs, pleads, and whines for the next book?

Many thanks to author Ritter Ames who generously gifted me a copy of Counterfeit Conspiracies for this review. I loved it and I can’t wait to read more by you!

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