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3.44 AVERAGE
3.44 AVERAGE
ashleybarnes927's review against another edition
1.0
The writing and character development were incredibly weak. This book was clearly written by a guy who thought he was very clever, with many eye-roll triggering lines like this: “The blonde gets up and he watches her, eyes on her legs, the way she walks, like a racehorse or one of those runway models. He considers following her, mind rife with pornographic images…” Cool.
In an effort to create suspense, the characters read flat and I couldn’t find interest in any of them. DNF after of 100.
In an effort to create suspense, the characters read flat and I couldn’t find interest in any of them. DNF after of 100.
maribeth_reads's review against another edition
2.5
It’s like The Da Vinci Code, but way less interesting or compelling. Meh.
maegan_mccrea's review against another edition
4.0
Started off very slow and I almost gave up, but around page 40 I got the rhythm of the book and ended up really enjoying it!
curiousqueenb's review against another edition
This book sounds like it would be a thrilling mystery on the greatest art thief in history, who STOLE the Mona Lisa. But I could NOT get through this book for the disgusting amount of unnecessary misogyny from the author.
A few examples of how he describes women:
- she was a voluptuous woman, despite her age
- her long, slender neck
- when looking at one of the few known Renaissance women painters, he gives credit to her dad for her talent.
- “but Alexandra looked guilty now, sucking her lower lip like a little girl.” DONE 😤
Additionally, there’s some mysterious character that is tempted to abuse his wife, but instead he goes to look at his art collection and lick the nipple of the woman in a painting.
And of course he doesn’t describe men in the same way. Shocking 🙄. I just can’t wrap my head around how all of this adds to the plot, because it doesn’t.
A few examples of how he describes women:
- she was a voluptuous woman, despite her age
- her long, slender neck
- when looking at one of the few known Renaissance women painters, he gives credit to her dad for her talent.
- “but Alexandra looked guilty now, sucking her lower lip like a little girl.” DONE 😤
Additionally, there’s some mysterious character that is tempted to abuse his wife, but instead he goes to look at his art collection and lick the nipple of the woman in a painting.
And of course he doesn’t describe men in the same way. Shocking 🙄. I just can’t wrap my head around how all of this adds to the plot, because it doesn’t.
tarenebg's review against another edition
2.0
Only got 2 stars instead of 1 bc I enjoyed learning ab history of Mona Lisa
gigishank's review against another edition
2.0
Formulaic and predictable, why all the murders? There is 1 bad guy, an art collector, he hires a middleman, and the middleman hires a thug - all to, what exactly? Just kill people? None of the killings had a reason, except the thug was bloodthirsty.
AND I SAY IT AGAIN: it is not suspense if the author keeps saying over and over things like " but who was she really", and the character the author is talking about has a POV in the story, but she never indicates WHO IS SHE REALLY.
Fake suspense.
Also, whine whine character - the guy who wrote the journal- all about his love of his sick wife oh spoiler she is sick.
Also
Spoiler
The art collector just wants the journal to see if his ML is real or fake, so why does he OK the thug to kill anyone who has ever touched, seen, or knows about the journal?AND I SAY IT AGAIN: it is not suspense if the author keeps saying over and over things like " but who was she really", and the character the author is talking about has a POV in the story, but she never indicates WHO IS SHE REALLY.
Fake suspense.
Also, whine whine character - the guy who wrote the journal- all about his love of his sick wife oh spoiler she is sick.
Also
Spoiler
how on earth did Luke think John was dead? What an idiot.tinyazn's review against another edition
4.0
3.6
I really liked the first half, but lost me in the second.
This book was the perfect book for me to dive into because I was having a hyper fixation on art history and it played right into it. I loved reading the paintings being mentioned and knowing what it looks like and what it means and it’s symbolism in the scene. The tension build up was good because of the different POVs. I loved how Luke’s was first person, and different chapters and third person and another perspective of the same situation. I really enjoyed that.
The second half is where it lost me. Banter between Luke and John felt weird, almost like all sense of developed personality was lost and we entered some sort of cheesy action movie plot line. Either they weren’t talking naturally, or that’s how men talk. I’m not sure. Also I cant believe John didn’t die? Good for him for not dying but it feels unfair to Luke who dove back into his old alcoholic habits. And Alex Greene? Alexis Verde? Funny name choice I will give the author that. However, her father being the main villain in the end felt very rushed and abrupt. I felt like there was no motive there besides being a selfish art collector who doesn’t care for his family. Also I felt like Alex should’ve died? I know it’s nice to see her alive but she went pale and purple, she shouldn’t have been breathing? But I digress.
To me, Vincent was the most well written character in the book and I’m very happy with what happened to him at the end.
I really liked the first half, but lost me in the second.
This book was the perfect book for me to dive into because I was having a hyper fixation on art history and it played right into it. I loved reading the paintings being mentioned and knowing what it looks like and what it means and it’s symbolism in the scene. The tension build up was good because of the different POVs. I loved how Luke’s was first person, and different chapters and third person and another perspective of the same situation. I really enjoyed that.
The second half is where it lost me. Banter between Luke and John felt weird, almost like all sense of developed personality was lost and we entered some sort of cheesy action movie plot line. Either they weren’t talking naturally, or that’s how men talk. I’m not sure. Also I cant believe John didn’t die? Good for him for not dying but it feels unfair to Luke who dove back into his old alcoholic habits. And Alex Greene? Alexis Verde? Funny name choice I will give the author that. However, her father being the main villain in the end felt very rushed and abrupt. I felt like there was no motive there besides being a selfish art collector who doesn’t care for his family. Also I felt like Alex should’ve died? I know it’s nice to see her alive but she went pale and purple, she shouldn’t have been breathing? But I digress.
To me, Vincent was the most well written character in the book and I’m very happy with what happened to him at the end.