A Back Room in Somers Town

As an art dealer, Tim Simpson doesn?t have the luxury of thinking only about aesthetics; he may have an artist?s heart, but it had better be covered with a businessman?s pinstripes if he?s going to turn a profit. Hired by a London merchant bank to invest in art for its wealthy clients, Simpson comes across a painting that, while appealing, won?t make anyone rich, the artist has no collectible value. Yet within hours of Simpson?s viewing, the painting?s been stolen and the dealer killed. Simpson pokes around to little effect, but it isn?t until the bank sends him to Brazil on unrelated business that he solves the riddle.