Sometimes the best way to know a person is by asking questions, so let’s meet Laurel.
What is your name?
Laurel Iris Beacham – but I try to avoid using my middle name, and the last name is debatable at the moment since delving into one phase of my family history recently stirred up a lot of surprising questions regarding my bloodline. I’ll let you know when I ve ore reliable information on that front.
How old are you?
Jack Hawkes loves to remind me I’m nearly thirty, but that’s only because he’s already past the big 3-0. I’m still holding onto my late-twenties for the time being, thank you very much.
What is your profession?
I am in charge of the London branch of the Beacham Foundation, but my true career path is that of an art recovery expert. I’m proud of my record of finding and returning missing art to the legitimate owners or museums which housed the masterpieces before the artwork was stolen. I try to follow conventional routes as much as I can, but I’m not adverse to a little creative recovery too.
Do you have a significant other?
Well. . .yes, there is a new. . .relationship that I’m involved in. We’ve agreed to see how things go.
What is his name?
Jack Hawkes. Think a young Cary Grant with teal eyes. With Cary’s cheeky wit and the skills of James Bond.
What is his profession?
If you’d asked this a few months ago, I would have had to concede I had no earthly idea what his profession was—other than having a master talent for driving me crazy. I honestly thought he was a crook and conman at first, and far too charming and clever to not be a criminal. Now, however, I’ve learned all those skills are just part of the package that also includes a connection to the U.K. Home Office and a military background he still draws on when we’re running toward—or away—from trouble.
Any children?
Heavens no! But my assistant, Cassie, and I have to mother hen our gorgeous Italian geek, Nico, when he tries to spend days on end hacking for info and doesn’t stop to sleep and eat. Cassie, however, is better at the task than I am—I do it as much to annoy and tease Nico as anything else.
Do you have any sibling(s)?
No, but Cassie is like a sister to me. We started out as roommates in college, and she’s my greatest confidant.
Cats, dogs or other pets?
Not now. As a child, I had a German shepherd named Bruno who once took a bullet for me. Grandfather hired a physical therapist to aid Bruno in his recovery.
What town do you live in?
Short answer is London, but I’m on the run more than two-hundred days in the year, as the scope of the Beacham London office spans the British Isles and the European continent. But I’m originally from Scarsdale, New York.
House or building complex?
Would you believe hotel? Seriously. I’ve been tethered to London since September, and I’ve kept a suite of rooms in a hotel because I’ve been too lazy (and conflicted) to lease a house or apartment—oops, I mean flat—of my own. However, I’ve lately thought the situation needs to change. No decision yet, but I’m definitely pondering other options.
Do you rent or own?
As much as I’ve paid in room fees, I probably should have found out if I could buy my hotel room as a condo. But the suite remains the property of the hotel, and I simply renew my option each month.
What is your favorite spot in your house?
That’s part of what’s making me contemplate a change in my lodgings. I don’t really have a favorite spot in my hotel suite. It’s too much like all the other hotel rooms I stay in throughout the year and doesn’t reflect any of my personality or style. I guess if I had to choose one spot, I’d say the safe in my room where I store the carved chest filled with jewelry that belonged to my late mother. I had no idea the jewelry existed until a master criminal I was chasing returned it to me—yeah, I was flabbergasted when I received the package. Being able to open that safe and pull out pieces to remember my mother for even a short time. . .well. . .that makes me happy and thankful for the protective safe in my room.
Who is your best friend?
I’ve known Cassie the longest. I’ve counted on Nico to keep me out of jail the most (yes, there are so many stories behind that short statement). Lately, Jack’s saved my ass more often than anyone else, but I’ve done the same for him too. So, if I have to say one person, I’d probably have to name Cassie on the longevity angle, but truly, I am blessed with the best team in the art world to work with each day. And even better, we like each other outside of work too. Well, Nico and Jack still have some problems with one another, but Cassie and I are getting better at sidetracking any trouble.
Amateur sleuth or professional?
Can I say a little of both? I’m definitely a professional when it comes to art-related crime. Yet, I’ve been in the middle of a number of murder investigations lately, and that’s something I never imagined would become a part of my CV or resume. I’ve also had to learn how to deal with getting chased by the henchmen and henchwomen of criminal masterminds, and several have employed some decidedly unconventional ways to try to attack my team and myself. So, while I’ve been an amateur on this front, I’m gaining skills with each new attempt.
Whom do you work with when sleuthing?
Jack more than most. We rely on Nico to get us information and to find the means of getting into places where we aren’t invited. Cassie is also outstanding at getting needed info through her art restoration contacts and by utilizing the London museums front. But in my line of business, information can come via unconventional routes too, and I’m used to working with fringe informants, grifters, thieves, pickpockets— whoever might be able to provide the intel I need to recover a missing masterpiece.
Favorite meal?
Now you’re talking my language. However, whenever possible, I prefer to let Jack Hawkes order dinner for me. I love to eat—I think it’s due to the high stress and all the running I do—and Jack is a master at ordering the best meal and wine every time and anywhere. But don’t tell him I said so. It’s way too easy for him to get big-headed about things, and hearing that would give him the perfect rebuttal the next time I tell him he can’t keep trying to call all the shots or follow me everywhere.
Favorite dessert?
Belgian chocolates, French pastry, tiramisu from Florence, gelato from my favorite little vender in Rome…the list goes on and on and on.
Favorite hobby?
Museums. I could spend every day going to gallery after gallery and never be happier. But then some darn criminal would spot me and try to kidnap me, and I’d have to fight back or outrun the hood. Luckily, I’m a pro at running in heels.
Favorite vacation spot?
I want water. A beach, a lake house, a cabin in the high mountains with a river created from the runoff of melting snow. I have so much going on around me all the time I truly just want to sit by the water, enjoy the scenery, and hopefully gain a little peace and quiet. I know a lot of people probably expect me to say someplace like Monte Carlo or Cairo or Hong Kong, since I’m usually in the middle of crowds and action, but that’s exactly why my ultimate vacation getaways are the opposite.
Favorite color?
I cannot pick a favorite. I’ve spent my entire life around art, surrounded by every possible hue and tint that can be imagined by man or nature. I love them all.
Favorite author?
Every author who lets me escape into a story. Longtime personal favorites of mine are Elizabeth Peters, Kate Atkinson, Christopher Fowler. But in the last few years, I’ve discovered two series by Gigi Pandian, the Jaya Jones Mysteries and the Accidental Alchemist series. I find mysteries to be the best kind of books for escaping stress and making a long flight feel shorter. Both of the series by Gigi Pandian take the characters to interesting places and include mysteries touched by art. I was hooked immediately.
Favorite sports team?
I love hockey and basketball, and I will watch any team play—and usually cheer for both sides. Now that I’m in London, however, I’m getting pulled toward soccer much more than ever before—sorry, football. . .it’s football, not soccer. One more English word I must remember has different definitions depending on which side of the Atlantic I’m on at the moment.
Movies or Broadway?
Now, this is easy. The London West End—but I spent my teen years seeing Broadway plays. One of the best benefits of living in London is the fact that theatres and plays are only a short Tube ride away.
Are you a morning or a night person?
I’m basically an anytime person. One of the drawbacks of my career is that sleep is one of those elusive things I know I enjoyed with regularity at an earlier time in my life, but don’t remember having steady bouts of in recent memory. Between running from criminals, climbing in windows to “reclaim” stolen art, and jumping from one country to another via planes, trains, and automobiles—or helicopters and a motorcycle or two, and in designer heels, of course—sleep isn’t something I get a lot of, but I manage to wake up with amazing quickness.
In a few sentences, what is a typical day in your life like?
This is a joke, right? A few sentences—absolutely not possible. But I invite anyone to join me anytime. Some nice author started telling about my little adventures with Counterfeit Conspiracies, and the newest release is Bronzed Betrayals. Be sure and get a lot of sleep first, though, because I promise to keep you up late reading.
Giveaway: Leave a comment below for your chance to win a print copy of Bronzed Betrayals. U.S. entries only, please. The giveaway ends June 30, 2018. Good luck everyone!
You can read about Laurel in Bronzed Betrayals, the fifth book in the “Bodies of Art” mystery series. The first book in the series is Counterfeit Conspiracies.
Here comes the fifth globetrotting adventure in the fast-paced Bodies of Art Mystery series from USA TODAY bestselling author Ritter Ames.
A masterpiece swapped for a forgery, a murder victim left behind, and a relentless game of hide and seek keeps Laurel Beacham and Jack Hawkes on the run. They are racing to find answers despite roadblocks at every turn.
The chase crisscrosses the Atlantic as they pursue threads to murders and thefts that extend from the current day and back several decades.
A startling forgery points toward an unexpected new nemesis, and the team pursues a Paris forger for additional clues.
When evidence starts falling into place, Laurel must use her connections and engage an unconventional resource to help bring an arrogant murderer to justice for crimes both contemporary and long past.
Crimes that tie both personally and professionally to the Beacham name.
While the ruthless criminal’s acts include art history ties, the threat to Laurel is a clear and present danger. It will take every trick and technique she and Jack can conjure to gain the evidence necessary to nab their enemy and start pulling down his empire—before he takes them down instead.
Purchase Link
# # # # # # # # # # #
About the author
Ritter Ames lives atop a high green hill in the country with her husband and Labrador retriever, and spends each day globe-trotting the art world from her laptop with Pandora blasting into her earbuds. Often with the dog snoring at her feet. Much like her Bodies of Art Mysteries, Ritter’s favorite vacations start in London, then spiral out in every direction. She’s been known to plan trips after researching new books, and keeps a list of “can’t miss” foods to taste along the way. Visit her at ritterames.com where she blogs about all the crazy things that interest her.
All comments are welcomed.
I’m interested in reading this book. Thank you both for the write up.
Hi Cheryl, so glad you stopped by. Good luck in the drawing!
This sounds like a very exciting series, and I’d love to win a print copy of Bronzed Betrayals!
Hi, Karlene! Thanks so much for your interest in the book. Good luck in the drawing 🙂
This author and her series never fail to give readers an exciting adventure!! I am sure this fifth book Bronzed Betrayals will be no exception, and I can’t wait to read it.😊 Thanks Ritter for the chance to win a copy! 🤗📙
Hi, Barbara, good seeing you here today and thank you for the kind words. Good luck in the drawing!
This is such an entertaining series! I’ve enjoyed each book. Thanks for the chance to win a print copy of Bronzed Betrayals.
Hi, Linda, so glad to hear you’re enjoying the books in this series. Thank you for stopping by and good luck in the drawing!
I didn’t know much about this series at all, so getting to know Laurel was a great introduction. Would love to win – thanks for the chance!
Hi, Autumn, thanks for stopping by and learning about the series. Good luck in the drawing!
I love Laurel & this series. Thanks for the great giveaway.
Hi, Doward! Good to see you. Thanks for stopping by and for the kind words about the series. Good luck in the drawing!
another terrific tale, thanks Ritter.
Thanks so much, Maria. Good to see you here today!
Ritter’s stories are fabulous! I wish I could meet Laurel and Jack in person. Good to get to know more of Laurel’s backstory here!
Thanks so much, Amy! And thank you for stopping by. Laurel still refuses to do the interview in the series with the reporter, Lincoln Ferguson, but she was happy to talk openly with Dru here today 🙂
This is the BEST series Ritter has going. I’ve been a fan for a couple of years and always move these up to the top of my TBR pile.
So glad you like the series, Thomas! It’s definitely a fun one to write! Good luck in the drawing 🙂
Sounds like a great series!
Such a terrific series! I,too,am a fan.
That was fun, getting to know Laurel a bit better. 🙂
Hi, Sharon! Yes, Laurel had a lot of fun answering the questions 🙂
love this series. thank you for the chance to get to know Laurel!!
Hi, Johnna, that’s so nice to hear! Thanks for stopping by, and good luck in the drawing!
Loved the interview, thanks. Great series and looking forward to reading the latest.
This sounds like a great series. Thanks for a great introduction to a series I had not previously heard about. Thanks for the chance to win!
Hi, Ashley, thanks for stopping by to learn about the series. Good luck!
Laurel sounds like a really interesting person, I think we’d get along well. Thanks for the introduction and the chance to win this book.
Hi, Carl, thanks for stopping by. Glad you got to meet Laurel. Good luck in the drawing!
This is one of my favorite series due to my interest in the art world. I’ve looked forward to each release so much and hope to read this latest as soon as possible. Hoping that with Ritter and Laurel’s expertise that we can get the local Isabelle Stewart-Gardner Museum heist solved and then have the book made into a blockbuster of a movie. With all of us MA people cheering you on, Ritter, that would be so exciting for all, wouldn’t it?
Hugs, Cynthia
That would be positively wonderful, Cynthia, and recovering the art from the Isabelle Stewart-Gardner Museum has been one of my longtime prayers. I know it’s always on Laurel’s agenda, but I’ll see if she can set some time out for that case 🙂 Thanks for stopping by, and good luck in the drawing!
I really enjoyed getting to know Laurel. This is a new series to me and it sounds like an interesting book. I don’t know much about the art world and would enjoy reading about it.
Hi Dianne, thanks for stopping by and for your kind words. The best part about these mysteries are that while knowing about art make make you recognize some things quicker, you don’t need to know anything about art to know what’s going on. Laurel is a generous point-of-view character, and always wants to make sure readers know everything they need to know in the context of the story 🙂
What fun to meet Laurel! I’d like to read more about her.
Thanks so much for stopping by to meet her, Sue. Good luck in the drawing 🙂
This was a very cool interview! I’m looking forward to reading more in the series, read this as an ARC but would still love to be in the running for winning a signed copy 🙂
Hi, Tani, thanks so much for stopping by. Of course, you’re in the drawing for the signed copy–that’s what comments are for, LOL! Good luck in the drawing and appreciate you checking in today.
This is a new to me author. Am intrigued by the idea theft and art forgery in a globetrotting adventure/mystery.
Hi, GB, nice to meet you. Yes, Laurel’s often uncharacteristic way of thwarting art crimes is truly one of the best things about writing this series. I get to let my imagination fly, and it gives me so many wonderful hours for research 🙂 Good luck in the drawing!
Ican’t wait to read the next installment of Laurel and crew. I just downloaded it and will be starting it this evening. I hope my husband doesn’t expect me to pay attention to him for awhile!
I adore this series and this books is next on my TBR list, which is to say I will be reading it tomorrow and probably have it done by tomorrow night, since I can’t put these books down.
Hi, Kristin, thanks so much for these kind words about the series. It really makes my day to know readers like them so much. Hope you enjoy Bronzed Betrayals and good luck in the drawing!
This sounds like good fun. I’d like to get to know them.
Hi, Libby, thanks for dropping by and getting introduced to Laurel. Good luck in the drawing!
New to me series…must check the library for the first one.
Hi, Gram, that would be wonderful. Let your librarian know the series is by Henery Press 🙂 Good luck in the drawing!
Love the Q&A with Laurel!
Hi Mary, glad you enjoyed the interview. Thanks so much for coming by and good luck in the drawing!
I’d like to live in a hotel suite for awhile, but I imagine I’d want to have a permanent place of my own after awhile, too.
But maid service is such a perk, right Jana Leah? Thanks so much for stopping by, and good luck in the drawing!
I have been a fan of this series since it started… looking forward to reading this book.. thanks for the opportunity.. good luck everyone
Hi, Ellen, good to see you here 🙂 Yes, Laurel & Jack have appreciated you too! Good luck in the drawing.
I’m fascinated by stories about art crime.
Me, too, Sharon. I had an art ethics professor in college that got me hooked on art crime and forgeries. One of the perks of writing this series is all the wonderful research I need to do 🙂
Laurel and Jack are irresistible as they race to find “borrowed” art.
Great read to keep you on the edge of your seat.
Well must say it was fun learning more about Laurel! Her & Jacks’ adventures are such fun to read about, looking forward to reading Bronzed Betrayals! Winning a signed book would be fantastic!
**** WINNER ****
Bronzed Betrayals is Thomas Palmer
Congratulations!