Book Review: The London Forgery by Heidi Eljarbo
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What is this book about?
1973. Art historian Fabiola Bennett sees herself as a prudently observant deer who becomes a daring and even mischievous lioness if the situation calls for it. And that’s exactly what’s required when greedy criminals steal, forge, and tamper with treasured artwork. When the crooks add murder to their list of crimes, the chaos is complete.
A mysterious note is delivered anonymously at the door of the National Gallery in London, and the director immediately calls Fabiola’s office in Oslo and pleads with her to come without delay. The message is confusing, but it seems one of her favorite eighteenth-century portraits is in trouble.
Fabiola hops on the first plane and meets up with her vibrant side-kick Pippa Yates and the ever-loyal Detective Inspector Cary Green from New Scotland Yard. But she is not naïve enough to think untangling the purpose and meaning of the mysterious note will be as simple as a walk in Hyde Park. These things never are.
1750. Newly married Robert and Frances Andrews, members of the landed gentry of Suffolk, England, hire young and talented Thomas Gainsborough to paint their wedding portrait. Their desire is a lovely conversation piece showing their wealth and class, an artwork to remember them by for generations to come.
Little do they know the gifted artist portrays their personalities exactly how he perceives them, and the artistic symbolism is not as flattering as they’d hoped for. Even the looming clouds in the distance promise a troublesome future.
My review:
This was such a fun mystery. I really enjoyed the current timeframe which was not quite historical but not current (1970s) and the friendship between Fabiola, Pippa, and Cary. This was not as much ‘whodunit’ as it was ‘gathering the evidence’ but I still found it page-turning. The art world was intriguing and I loved Fabiola’s strength of character. There is a hint of future romance which makes me want to pick up the next book in this series.
What I enjoyed most about this book:
The friendship between Fabiola, Pippa, and Cary
What I didn’t like about this book:
More evidence gathering than whodunit.
Would I recommend this book to others? Yes. Great characters, intriguing setting, and interesting timeframe. This is the first book in the series.
Where can I learn more about this author and their books?
-Loraine Nunley
The London Forgery by Heidi Eljarbo (4 1/2 out of 5 stars) #amreading #BookReview Share on X
