Paintings are an important motif that reoccurs throughout the novel, contributing to plot development and the exploration of key themes of art, jealousy, and creativity. Clara and Peter are both well-known painters, although their styles are different. Clara’s paintings are emotionally engaging, vivid, and startling, while Peter’s initial style is quite conservative. As the plot progresses, a new set of paintings is uncovered, and it becomes clear that Peter has started to paint in a bolder and more innovative style. Paintings by Norman (initially attributed to Massey) also play a significant role in the plot and the investigation of the mystery. As a motif, paintings create an opportunity for ekphrasis (the detailed description of visual art as a literary device), and they illuminate the importance of personal vision. They create an intriguing context for a murder mystery since it seems there should be a juxtaposition between the beauty of art and the grotesque violence of murder; however, the novel implies that the world of art easily lends itself to “casual cruelty. The hypocrisy. The ugly business of selling beautiful creations” (137). By contrasting ugliness and beauty in the art world, Penny adds greater depth to the traditional murder mystery