blog tour, books, reviews

Blog Tour: Whispers Through the Canvas – K. J. McGillick


Murder… Across The Fractured Corridors of Time.

Plunged into a centuries-old conspiracy, unconventional art historian Rowan Southeil must race against time to stop an ancient evil from rewriting history. When a young artist is murdered in a chilling echo of medieval violence, Rowan finds herself drawn to a seemingly unrelated clue – a 16th- century painting drenched in arcane symbols. Aided by the victim’s haunting presence, Rowan delves into the painting’s mysterious past, uncovering a dark conspiracy that stretches back
generations.

Teaming up with the pragmatic Detective Lancaster, the intuitive Rowan follows a daring journey through time, from the storied halls of 16th-century Tudor London to the secretive 17th-century Vatican. As she awakens powerful elemental forces within herself, Rowan must decipher the painting’s secrets – and the connection to the medieval-style murder – before Lev Rubilov, a dark
centuries-old occultist, can harness its magic to rewrite history and restore a twisted vision of the past.

For fans of genre-blending thrillers like A Discovery of Witches and Outlander, this captivating novel weaves together mystery, the supernatural, and high-stakes time travel in a race against the clock to
stop an ancient evil. Whispers Through The Canvas is a crime story, filled with action and adventure, within a historical fantasy milieu. If you love kick-ass heroines who have a bit of life experience and walk on the wild side of magic, this book is for you.

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From the bustling courtrooms of Atlanta to the vibrant tapestry of 16th-century England, Kathleen McGillick’s life and career have been a captivating blend of legal expertise, artistic passion, and a
thirst for adventure.

Fueled by an undergraduate and graduate degree in nursing, Kathleen built a foundation of compassion and care. This dedication to service later led her to pursue a Juris Doctorate, allowing her to navigate the intricacies of the legal system for nearly three decades. Her courtroom
experience now breathes life into the intricate details of her legal thrillers, ensuring every courtroom scene crackles with authenticity.

But Kathleen’s story doesn’t end there. A deep fascination with art history led her to delve into the world of renowned artists and captivating eras. Her particular passion for 16th-century British history allows her to transport readers to richly detailed historical settings, immersing them in the culture, politics, and societal nuances of the time.

Driven by an unwavering dedication to her craft, Kathleen has independently published eleven legal thrillers since 2018. Her commitment extends beyond solo creation, as she actively engages with the
writing community, honing her skills through workshops and courses led by renowned authors.

And when she’s not crafting captivating narratives, Kathleen embarks on international journeys, soaking in diverse cultures and experiences that further enrich her writing. This global perspective
adds another layer of depth and realism to her stories, allowing readers to connect with characters and settings that transcend geographical boundaries.
To delve deeper into Kathleen’s world and explore her captivating legal thrillers, visit her website at kjmcgillick.com.

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My thoughts: this is an unusual book blending crime fiction with fantasy, time slip through a mysterious painting with centuries old vampires and witchcraft.

When art expert Rowan is asked to consult on a murder case, the death of an artist who seemed to have quite an unusual collection of paintings, especially the mysterious portrait from the 16th century.

In the style of the time there are symbols and hidden messages – think the Hans Holbein painting The Ambassadors, which hangs in the National Gallery (and I had to write an essay on at school!)

Hans Holbein’s The Ambassadors – lots of symbols here

As Robin starts to examine the painting in order to authenticate it, Detective Gabriel Lancaster searches for Cassie’s killer. But it seems Cassie had a lot of secrets and there’s several suspects, including her uncle and boyfriend.

But Robin seems to have tapped into otherworldly matters – she’s seeing Cassie’s ghost and falling through the painting into the past. She’s seeing glimpses of the Howard family, who owned the painting, in and out of favour with the Tudor and Stuart monarchs.

Is there a link with her ancestor – supposedly a Pendle Hill witch?

There is also an enormous cat called Phinneas – and you know I’m a sucker for a fluffy sidekick.

There’s a lot going on, but it all slots into place, and ends on a cliffhanger ready for book two.

*I was kindly gifted a copy of this book in exchange for taking part in this blog tour, but all opinions remain my own.

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