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Review: A Picture of Guilt is the second mystery from Libby Fischer Hellmann featuring corporate video producer Ellie Foreman.

Though not as powerful as the first book in this series, A Picture of Guilt is very good nonetheless. For some readers, the plausiblity of the topical plot will be suspect, but Hellmann's fine writing makes it seem possible.

Most Chicago residents probably haven't a clue where their water comes from, and Hellmann takes the opportunity to include a mini-documentary within her mystery to inform them. The use of the Carter-Harrison crib built several miles offshore in Lake Michigan makes for a fascinating and interesting setting for the plot. Mysteries that are both suspenseful and informative are generally winners.

This is not to say A Picture of Guilt is without flaws. It isn't a whodunit, howdunit, or whydunit, but more of a puzzle where the clues are the pieces and it sometimes isn't clear how all the pieces fit together. Unfortunately, Hellmann leaves a few plot threads unresolved, so at the end the picture isn't quite as complete as it could have been.

A Picture of Guilt by Libby Fischer Hellmann — An Ellie Foreman Mystery

Publisher: Poisoned Pen Press
Format: Hardcover
ISBN-13: 978-1-59058-073-8
Publication Date: July 2003
List Price: $24.95