While Woman in a White Fur is a fictional painting, the artist Tamara de Lempicka is a well-known Art Deco artist. Her paintings capture the vibrant, sophisticated atmosphere of the twenties and thirties.
If you’re a reader of the High Society Lady Detective series, you’ll recognize Sebastian Blakely, who appeared in the first book, Murder at Archly Manor. When I thought about the character who would own Woman in a White Fur, I knew Sebastian was just the sort of person who’d collect that painting. It was fun to explore Sebastian’s legacy as a famous photographer and link the two storylines through him.
The Dada art exhibit described in the book is a creation of my imagination. I also made up most of the art pieces. However, the postcard of the Mona Lisa is an actual piece of Dada art. I took the liberty of adding it to my fictional exhibit in London for this book.
As I read books and research, I’m always collecting interesting facts, storing them up for future stories. I found it fascinating that during World War I, valuable artwork from the National Portrait Gallery had been shipped to country houses to get the paintings out of London. Hawthorne House, with its remote location, seemed a perfect spot to send valuable canvases to keep them safe from Zeppelin raids. As an interesting side note, paintings from the National Portrait Gallery as well as artifacts from the British Museum were moved to London tube stations and tunnels to keep them safe.
I traveled to both Amsterdam and Athens recently and thoroughly enjoyed both cities. Thanks to Kathy for her helpful tips on what to see and do in Athens. I didn’t make it to all the places she suggested, so I’ll just have to go back. Also, thanks to my readers who suggested travel destinations for Zoe, and to Leslie for sharing her travel suggestions for the Netherlands. Again, I couldn’t see it all, so a return trip is in order. Check out the Duplicity Pinterest board to see my travel photos as well as images of Tamara de Lempicka’s artwork and links to ideas and inspiration for the modern and historical storylines.
I hope Duplicity gave you a fun and interesting armchair travel experience as well as an inside look at art heists and recovery. If you’d like to keep up with me and my books, you can sign up for my updates at SaraRosett.com/signup. I’d love to stay in touch!
About the Author
USA Today bestselling author Sara Rosett writes lighthearted mysteries for readers who enjoy atmospheric settings, fun characters, and puzzling whodunits.
She is the author of the High Society Lady Detective historical mystery series as well as three contemporary cozy series: the Murder on Location series, the On the Run series, and the Ellie Avery series. Sara also teaches an online course, How to Outline A Cozy Mystery, and is the author of How to Write a Series.
Publishers Weekly called Sara's books “enchanting,” “well-executed,” and “sparkling.” Sara loves to get new stamps in her passport and considers dark chocolate a daily requirement. Find out more at SaraRosett.com.
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Connect with Sara
www.SaraRosett.com
Also by Sara Rosett
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On the Run series
Elusive
Secretive
Deceptive
Suspicious
Devious
Treacherous
Duplicity
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Murder on Location series
Death in the English Countryside
Death in an English Cottage
Death in an Elegant City
Menace at the Christmas Market (novella)
Death in an English Garden
Death at an English Wedding
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High Society Lady Detective series
Murder at Archly Manor
Murder at Blackburn Hall
The Egyptian Antiquities Murder
Murder in Black Tie
An Old Money Murder in Mayfair
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Ellie Avery series
Staying Home is a Killer
Getting Away is Deadly
Magnolias, Moonlight, and Murder
Mint Juleps, Mayhem, and Murder
Mimosas, Mischief, and Murder
Mistletoe, Merriment, and Murder
Milkshakes, Mermaids, and Murder
Marriage, Monsters-in-law, and Murder
Mother’s Day, Muffins, and Murder