Restoration — John Ed Bradley

When journalist Jack Charbonnet meets Rhys Goudeau, a beautiful art restorer, he is soon caught up in intrigue more fascinating than any news story. She is determined to find a lost painting by the great, controversial Southern artist Levette Asmore, who killed himself soon after being forced to whitewash a scandalous masterpiece. As they try to keep ahead of unscrupulous collectors who are on the same trail, Jack and Rhys are drawn ever more deeply into the racially troubled history of pre-WWII New Orleans, and into the secret histories of friends and family.

A piquantly atmospheric story of race, romance and art, Restoration is provocative, suspenseful and altogether entertaining.