Just finished reading...

Sketch Me If You Can by Sharon Pape.*

Rory McCain is a police sketch artist. Her beloved Uncle Mac, a private investigator, recently died and left her the bulk of his estate, including his Victorian house in Huntington, MA and his business. He also leaves her a letter to be opened in the event of his death.

Rory goes to the house, but just can't bring herself to start going through his things, so she decides to start with his office. While contacting clients about his death, she comes across one who asks her if she would continue working on his case. When she explains that her employer does not permit her to moonlight, he persists, explaining that he just can't believe that his sister's death was an accident. She finally agrees to investigate as "a favor for a friend" at no charge.

With her mother's help, she starts clearing Mac's things out of the house, and decides to try spending the night on the couch, but wakes up in the middle of the night. Thinking there is someone in the chair across from her she turns on the light and sees a tall man dressed like an Old West sheriff. He tells her that his name is Ezekiel Drummond, and that her uncle was supposed to have told her about him. She remembers the letter, which she hasn't yet read, and discovers that Ezekiel Drummond died in 1878, and lived in the house since before Mac bought it. Apparently Mac's investigative business had developed greatly once Drummond began to assist him.

Taken aback by this news, but certain that her uncle wasn't delusional, Rory decides to continue the arrangement, though not formally continuing the business.

I read this engrossing book in an afternoon, and look forward to more in the Portrait of Crime series.

*Full disclosure: I received a review copy of the book from the publisher.