To Make a Killing

Det. Chief Inspector Jack Finch, #9 in the series. First published 1982.
A memorable murder mystery involving the elderly painter Max Gifford, bedridden with arthritis now, his younger wife Nina who cares for him, and an art dealer who proposes an exhibition of his work.
When the art dealer Eustace Quinn is found murdered, it's hard to imagine who might have a motive. Max and Nina hoped to profit from the exhibition, as did the dealer and his colleagues. Nina's shady young brother Danny hopes for money too, and so does his Max's ex-wife Zoe. So why has somebody killed Quinn, just when they all hoped to make a killing?
Told from several points of view, from Nina's perspective, and Danny's, and Lionels', as well as Detective Inspector show more Finch's when he becomes involved in the case. Interesting descriptions of Max's paintings and sketches, and of the personalities involved in the case, their long-ago passions and current obsessions. A very good murder mystery, enjoyable to re-read every few years. show less

When forgotten artist Max Gifford is approached by a gallery owner offering a exhibit of his paintings, both he and his wife Nora are excited by the possibility of fame and money. When the gallery owner is murdered, all sorts of unpleasant facts begin arising about Max, his models and his life. I found this a competently written mystery, but nothing out of the ordinary and most of the characters fairly unlikeable.