The Art of Dying is a grippling look at an artists' colony in Southern California. It includes an intriguing Christian heroine who doesn't draw the line where love is concerned and a British hero who can't remember who he is. Fascinating minor characters like the twins, Selena and Serena, and Detective Sergeant Hogsworth make this book a pleasure to read. It held my attention to the end and the end was satisfying.
Nina Coombs Pykare

Don't let the title mislead you, this book is not an instruction manual for creative dying. And don't let the blurb about Christian painter mislead you, Hilary Jackson's art is Christian-themed but the story isn't. The Art of Dying is a mystery, a well-crafted mystery about art and murder.

Set in the richly described Northern California village of Steeple Hill, author Diana Killian has put together a book with the elements of a cozy mystery; an innocent observer turned sleuth, a small community of artists, murder without graphic scenes of violence, and yep, even a cat - and the elements of romantic suspense; an attractive British man with amnesia, a kind-hearted young woman who cares for him, a dead Scotland Yard Inspector, lingering doubts about altruism or love, and the question of being mislead by someone who may be a victim or a villain. The pieces all fit together smoothly in a good puzzler.

The Art of Dying is that rare thing for us mystery readers, it is a keeper. The story of Hilary, a Christian artist; and Alan, an Englishman with amnesia; is woven into the tapestry of an artists' colony. Hilary plays Good Samaritan to Alan and ends up helping him solve a mystery (or two). Someone is stealing Old Masters' and forging them before selling them and they are willing to kill to continue.

I cannot recommend this book enough. There is a nice mixture of mystery and Christian ethics in this small book. If anything, I wish I could have had more to read. I was sorry when the book ended because I felt as though I had lost some close friends. This is definitely a must for everyone.