Book Review: Still as Death by Sarah Stewart Taylor (Sweeney St. George #4)

Stars: 5 out of 5

Pros: Interesting art history wrapped in a mystery

Cons: Secondary characters a bit weak

The Bottom Line:

Still entertaining

Teaching some art history

In fun mystery

There's Still Life in This Series

For three books, Sweeney St. George has been entertaining while providing a fascinating look at the various arts of mourning over the years. Still as Death is the fourth mystery in the series to feature this art historian, and it lives up to the standards of the other three.

Sweeney has been working on an exhibit for almost three years. Now, she's just putting the finishing touches on "Still as Death," an exhibit on the art of mourning over the centuries. The exhibit is being held at the Hapner on the Cambridge campus where she teaches.

While trying to put the perfect finishing touches on it, she finds reference to an Egyptian funerary collar in the museum's collection that would be perfect. But no one seems to be able to find the actual item. The last person to have it was a student who was around when the museum was robbed 25 years ago. Not too long after, she committed suicide. Are these events connected?

Meanwhile, Sweeney's exhibit opening is going fine, until the museum's housekeeper is found murdered down in the basement. It looks like a botched robbery attempt. Is history repeating itself or is this a new attempt?

Of course, the murder brings Sweeney back into contact with Tim Quinn, a local police officer. Their friendship had drifted apart once Sweeney's boyfriend moved to town. But Ian is looking to move back to London and wants Sweeney to return with him.

Once again, this book contains great information on mourning art, this time focused on Egypt. The main focus is still the entertainment, however. The mystery is the strongest of the series, with several twists I should have seen coming but didn't. Meanwhile, Sweeney's personal life takes some interested turns, although not toward the potential love interest I think she should have.

All the main characters are here and as strong as ever. Even police office Tim Quinn didn't bother me this time around. In the past I've complained that he felt forced onto the story. His storyline this time deals with breaking in a new partner, and I'm sure the fact that it related more to the mystery helped me accept it. The secondary characters are still strong, but the author went with more stereotypes then originals. They are interesting but could have been fresher.

The writing style didn't seem to have the dark edge to it of the previous books. It still flowed well and drew me right into each scene.

Still as Death left me hungry for more. Fans of the series will be glad to see Sweeney's return and the book should win her and her author new fans.

It is best to read the Sweeney St. George Mysteries in order.