The Worthless Painting

By Erika M Szabo

Small-town cozy mystery novelette.
When Danielle finally quits her boring accountant job and opens an Antiques & Stuff store, her life changes for the better. But soon, her happy life starts to spin out of control when the snobbish new owner of the Couture mansion brings a seemingly worthless painting into her shop. The ownership of the painting is questionable, and the town’s future is threatened by the plans of the ruthless, rich owner who wants to build a leather factory on the estate, too close to town.
An unexpected visitor arrives, and he may possess the much-needed solution to everyone’s problems in this quaint little town.

"This is a wonderful cozy mystery with fabulous characters. I love Danielle and her antics. This book is well-written with plenty of twists to keep me guessing to the end. I am looking forward to the next book by this author." ~ Dr. Patricia Eroh

• Language: English
• Publisher: Erika M Szabo
• Release date: Jan 23, 2020
• ISBN: 9780463277898

Erika M Szabo

Erika became an avid reader at a very early age, thanks to her dad who introduced her to many great books. Erika writes alternate history, romantic fantasy, magical realism novels as well as fun, educational, and bilingual books for children ages 4-12 about acceptance, friendship, family, and moral values such as accepting people with disabilities, dealing with bullies, and not judging others before getting to know them.

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Copyright @ Erika M Szabo, 2019

The Worthless Painting

Published by Golden Box Books Publishing, New York, U.S.A.

Editor: Lorraine Carey

Introductory poem: Cindy J. Smith

Book cover, illustrations, book formatting and book interior design by the author Erika M Szabo

This is a fictional work. The names, characters, incidents, places, the ritual and protection spell, and locations are solely the concepts and products of the author’s imagination or are used to create a fictitious story and should not be construed as real.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission, except in the case of brief quotations, reviews, and articles.

THE WORTHLESS PAINTING

An art expert's lie

To arrogant socialite

Help worthless painting

Make past wrongs right

When actual value

Is brought to light

~Cindy J. Smith

Chapter One

Danielle Clearwater, a tall, slender woman in her late twenties tried to fish out the key to her small antique store from her handbag. She held a large canvas to her body with her elbow while balancing a paper tray with coffee and a bagel in her hand. When she reached into the bag that was hanging by a long strap off her shoulder, the canvas started to slip. She tightened her hold on it, which made the tray flip. The coffee cup lid flew off spraying her lilac dress with dark brown spots. Just great! Now I’ll have to wear jeans and a t-shirt all day. She was grateful for the spare clothes she kept in the backroom.

She didn’t have any customers waiting and didn’t expect anyone until Mrs. Castle’s usual visit at 10 am sharp. The old lady was a regular and always on time, never a minute late. Danielle had always been an introvert when interacting with people her own age and was more comfortable with older people. She loved the stories they told when they came into her store to buy and sell items.

***

Danielle lost her father when she was only a toddler and didn’t really remember him. She could only recall moments and sometimes in her dreams, she felt his presence. Her mother made sure she was well cared for but didn’t pay much attention to her. Busy with work and in and out of fleeting relationships, Danielle spent most of her time with babysitters.

Danielle’s passion for art paid off, she applied to art school without telling her mother and was accepted. Her mom was furious and forbade her to go to art school. She enrolled Danielle at a local college to become an accountant. You can’t make any money from art. I’m moving to England with Luke soon and you need a job that provides you with a decent living. I’m not going to support you anymore, and I’m not paying for a hobby you could never make enough money to live on.

Danielle accepted her mother’s decision and after she got her accountant certification, she started a job at a local tax office. She hated it so much that some mornings her emotional state made her physically ill. She kept pushing herself but after a few months of misery, she couldn’t take it anymore. I can’t do this, Sarah, she cried to her best friend since elementary school.