I
always enjoy reading a novel where I learn something and here it was
about art fraud. Our hero is Dr. Richard Reed. He's taken the summer off
from his university teaching duties to work with Interpol in their
art fraud division. He meets Kendra Cooper, a librarian for a Texas art
museum. She has taken a few weeks vacation in Amsterdam to study the
masters. When Reed sees her closely inspecting and then photographing
paintings, he is sure he has found a part of an art fraud ring.
The
setting is Europe, mostly Amsterdam. There is quite a bit of action
and some suspense. I was a little disappointed in the suspense as I
felt it was predicted, caused by a dumb move on the hero's part,
especially in light of previous dangerous encounters.
The
major characters are pretty well developed. Dr. Reed is from a
wealthy family while Kendra had to work her way through college.
Their budding romance has to bridge that financial hurdle as well as
the difference in their family structure.
The
most interesting aspect of the novel by far is the information about
art. The author has included many facts and tidbits about well known
artists and their works. It was interesting to learn about art being
hidden, say during WW II, and then discovered later. But some of the
“found” art turn out to be contemporary forgeries. I also found
out how forgeries are identified, sometimes something as simple as
the age of the packing material.
I
recommend this novel to those who enjoy a novel as much about a topic
as it is romance and suspense. You'll learn quite a bit and enjoy a
good plot too.
My
rating: 4/5 stars.
Lee
Carver sets her novels in countries she has visited. She and her
husband of forty-eight years have two adult children and five
grandchildren.
CreateSpace
Independent Publishing Platform, 306 pages.
I
received a complimentary digital copy of this book through The Book
Club Network. My comments are an independent and honest review.
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