Anne-Laure Thiéblemont
on Tour August 10-29 with
The Collector
(mystery) Release date: August 11, 2015 at Le French Book 211 pages ISBN: 978-1939474445 Website | Goodreads ***SYNOPSIS
Some people collect art, others collect trouble. Marion Spicer spends her days examining auction catalogues and searching for stolen works of art. She is a top-notch investigator when it comes to eighteenth-century art. But for her it’s just a job and her life is well ordered. All this changes when she inherits a huge and very prestigious collection of pre-Columbian art from a father she never knew. There are conditions attached: she must first find three priceless statues. That is when her troubles begin. Her father’s death sparked much greed, and Marion finds herself facing the merciless microcosm of Paris art auctions and galleries, with its sharks, schemes, fences, traps, scams, and attacks. Her quest draws her into a world where people will kill for a love of beauty. ***My Review:
I love a good art theft mystery and couldn't resist this one! We really get a glimpse into the backroom of the art world. We go to private parties given by famous collectors, behind the scenes at auction houses and into the offices of those whose job it is to track down stolen treasures. All with a big heaping of juicy gossip!
However, despite all the good points this didn't end up being the perfect for me. Maybe because I'm unfamiliar with pre-Colombian art so I had to go look up a few of the types of sculptures that get mentioned in the book. Partly, I think because there were a number of characters whose personalities weren't distinct enough for me to really keep them separate so I did spend more time than I like remembering who was who.
But just because it didn't work for me doesn't mean it won't work for you. If you love Art Theft type thrillers this one is definitely worth picking up! Plus, it's set in Paris which makes it a little more tempting.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
An art reporter and trained gem specialist,
Anne-Laure Thiéblemont
is known for her investigations into stolen art
and gem trafficking.
She currently works as a magazine editor,
and splits her time between Paris and Marseille.
ABOUT THE TRANSLATOR
Sophie Weiner is a freelance translator and book publishing assistant from Baltimore, Maryland. After earning degrees in French from Bucknell University and New York University, Sophie went on to complete a master’s in literary translation from the Sorbonne, where she focused her thesis on translating wordplay in works by Oulipo authors. She has translated and written for web-based companies dedicated to art, cinema, and fashion as well as for nonprofit organizations. Growing up with Babar, Madeline, and The Little Prince, Sophie was bitten by the Francophile bug at an early age, and is fortunate enough to have lived in Paris, Lille, and the Loire Valley.
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thanks for your honest review, I liked the way you highlight what worked and what did not work for you. Maybe next one in the series will work better for you, about Paris and the Middle East. Emma at FB
ReplyDeleteThanks for this captivating novel. The Heist by Daniel Silva was about an art theft and was enthralling. I would enjoy this novel very much. saubleb(at)gmail(dot)com
ReplyDeleteThis book sounds really good. While I don't know much about art, I do love art mysteries and the hunt for them.
ReplyDeleteI pretty much know nil about art. It's just not my thing. But I feel like being in a place like Paris it's hard not become immersed in it.
ReplyDeleteHappy reading!
Brittany @ This is the Story of My(Reading) Life
Paris art auctions ...squee! Love that setting but pity that the characters didn't hold their own :(
ReplyDeleteI admit I do not know much about art. I do find art theft interesting though. I will have to think about this one. The setting is appealing, but the lack of distinct characters is a turn off.
ReplyDeleteI have this one to review. I'm sorry it didn't work for you. It sounds like it could be a good one.
ReplyDeleteI don't think I have read many books about art thieves and this one sounds really good. :)
ReplyDeleteThis is one thought I may like but had it on the back burner on my to-read list. Based on what you said I think I will pass. I like a mystery and I like France but the art aspect may not interet me. I tried an art thief type mystery by Daniel Silva and it just couldn't hold my attention.
ReplyDeleteOh, this one has so much potential. Bummer it didn't work for you. :(
ReplyDeleteIt's too bad this one didn't work for you. I think I would have some of the same issues, so it's probably not for me either. But I love art theft or art world mysteries when really well done. Have you read Aaron Elkin's Chris Norgren series, or Aaron and Charlotte Elkins' Alix London series? I love the former though it's only 2 or 3 books, and the first one in the latter was pretty good, too.
ReplyDelete