My Two Cents (Book Review): CRIMSON CANVASES by Camille Danciu

Serarosa is a successful young artist living out her lifelong dream of owning her own art gallery. She's partnered with longtime friend Maddy, who shares the gallery space with her and operates a cafe there. Serarosa seems to have it all: a successful business, an adoring husband, artistic freedom, and a bright future ahead of her. The one thing she's missing is the truth about what happened to another old friend years earlier named Anna.

Anna disappeared without a trace on the night of an autumn bonfire, what was supposed to be a fun-filled gathering. Her body was never found, and with no evidence of foul play, the police have let her missing-person case grow cold. Serarosa may have discovered a unique, if not gruesome way to solve the lingering mystery, but will the answers come in time to help her escape Anna's fate?

"Crimson Canvases" by Camille Danciu is a suspenseful story with a supernatural twist. Serarosa's paintings aren't just beautiful; they can reveal secrets from the past, but in order for that to happen, she has to use a very special ingredient to paint. (Hint: it's not made by Crayola.)

Danciu has written a nicely plotted thriller that keeps you guessing up until the end. Everyone's a suspect, as both Serarosa and the reader soon discover, and the reveal at the end was an unexpected surprise. "Crimson Canvases" isn't as violent or bloody as Danciu's previous work I read ("On Behalf of All Women," see review here), but that's okay because this is a much more atmospheric story, one in which a slow buildup of dread is just as effective as gore in creating a chilling mood.

"Crimson Canvases" is available here.