Barbara Parker, The Perfect Fake

The Perfect Fake

Barbara Parker

Dutton, January 2007, $25.95

ISBN: 0525949860

In Miami, realtor developer Stuart Barlowe lends a valuable five centuries old map to retired Judge Royce Herron before it was to be part of an exhibition, and subsequently after that to be given as a present to a Russian mobster. However, someone assassinates the former judge whose blood seeps onto the rare map, while the bullets also damage it.

Barlowe is upset, as he needs the Russian money to finance his latest deal, but he also fears how the mobster will react if told the truth. He offers a lot of money to graphic artist Tom Fairchild, who used to date his daughter Allison the lawyer, to develop a fake map. Though Tom's sister Rose begs him not to take the job, he takes the position and obtains advice from a professional forger who skipped the country and Rose to avoid jail. None of the Barlowe family trusts Tom. Stuart, his wife, his daughter and his stepson watch his every move, while behind them the nasty Russian observes all of these throwaway pawns scurrying for safety.

Except Rose, everyone else in this exciting thriller is at least bit amoral, though the degrees vary amongst the players, as Allison is much more ethical than her father or her former lover. The interplay between the members of the two families is fun, as the audience wonders who will out-con who, as trust is a dysfunctional verb. Fans of Barbara Parker will read THE PERFECT FAKE in one sitting to learn who is left standing.