Murder, by George (A Veronica Walsh Mystery)

Retired soap opera actress Veronica Walsh leads a fulfilling second act in her
Adirondack hometown of Barton. Her boutique, All Things, is thriving and she
enjoys a romance with Professor Mark Burke. She has neither the time nor the
desire to be an amateur sleuth. Trouble finds her when architect Scott Culverson
buys a vintage box at the annual village flea market and discovers a valuable
painting and love letter inside. The awe over the masterpiece, a 1920s portrait
of Barton’s main street, turns to rage when a fierce argument ensues. The seller
of the box insists the painting was not included in the sale, while Ella and
Madeline Griffin, whose mother received the painting as a wedding present,
demand that Scott return the painting to their family. The artist’s daughter,
the formidable Leona Bradshaw Kendall, later joins the battle over Orchard
Street. When Scott is stabbed to death and the painting and letter stolen, the
Griffin sisters ask Veronica to help clear suspicion from their hot-tempered
great-niece, Regina. Despite a vow to stay out of the investigation, Veronica’s
loyalty to her friends draws her into the case. Veronica crosses paths with a
shady contractor, brassy hairdresser, overwrought lawyer, and adoring Czech
housekeeper as she searches for both killer and work of art. Whom can Veronica
trust, and who will lead her to the brink of death?