Brushed Off by M. Lee Musgrave
Television videographer, James Terra and his married lover Nicole find themselves in a tangled web while searching for the killer of LAs hottest artists. What starts as a routine case for their friend homicide detective Francisco Rivas quickly turns into a tangled web of romance, intrigue and vicious jealousy against a dazzling backdrop of talent, wealth and fun in sunny schizophrenic Los Angeles. The murdered artists were found in their studios coated with paint and with a brush jammed down their throat. Cisco ask for James’ help in navigating his way through the eccentric enclaves of LAs zany art community. While sleuthing to aid Cisco, James and Nicole meet psychologist Dr. Brian Mazor and his troubled young wife Camille and all hell breaks out so Cisco wants them off the case, but big-hearted James has an overwhelming need to help his friend and find the killer.
A leading art collector is attacked and his house is set on fire. Other collectors, gallery dealers and artists are frightened. Cisco reluctantly continues to follow leads James provides. Camille is up to her pretty neck in sex and drugs within LAs outrageous studios and mansions while struggling to make sense of her life and striving to get away from the mayhem of paint, blood and brushes with death … and the sex-escapades of her youth. James continues to secretly romance Nicole, wife of one of the city’s most important art collectors, while she sleuths with him to ferret out the killer and they both aid Camille in her desire to bolt from her controlling husband so they seek guidance from an aging social maven.
Cisco discovers an exotic drug that is used by all the suspects including a stealthy porn star. The list of suspects grows as it comes into focus. While striving to nourish his desire for Nicole, James continues to host his TV program, complete paintings, secretly sleuth for Cisco, and keep everyone from knowing that his own health is precarious.
Enticing socialites, astute businessmen, and zany artists meld in this neo-noir thriller. In a world obsessed with money, fame and hype, how does an artist driven by justice and his insatiable love for a married woman find satisfaction? BRUSHED-OFF is a portrait of voracious protectiveness and resentfulness in a quintessential Los Angeles story. BRUSHED-OFF is as energetic, humorous and unapologetically straight forward as the uncompromising trio at its center.
Buy the book, and follow the author on social media:
Author Bio:
National Endowment for the Arts Fellowship recipient M. Lee Musgrave has had his art exhibited in numerous solo and group exhibitions, lived most of his life in Los Angeles. He now lives in the Pacific Northwest and was born in Australia. As a former professor of art and curator for 30 years, he organized hundreds of exhibitions at museums, galleries, and municipal centers involving artists, collectors, critics, gallerists, art professionals and a vast array of related enthusiasts. His writings related to those exhibitions contributed to their success and to his ability to relate that community to others. Those many experiences and his ongoing personal art activities inform his creative writing about Los Angeles’ exciting art community.