The Art of Deception

A Daughter of Sherlock Holmes Mystery

By: Leonard Goldberg

Narrated by: Steve West

Length: 9 hrs and 27 mins

Publisher's summary

"Suspenseful and entertaining, with many twists and turns.... This is one of the best Sherlock Holmes series since Laurie R. King's Mary Russell books." (Historical Novel Society)

USA Today best-selling author Leonard Goldberg returns with another puzzling case for the daughter of Sherlock Holmes to unravel in this exciting mystery, The Art of Deception, sure to be enjoyed by fans of Sherlock Holmes as well as Laurie R. King and Charles Finch.

In the west end of London, an apparently crazed individual is on the loose, breaking into art galleries and private homes to slash valuable paintings of women. Despite Scotland Yard's best efforts, the criminal remains at large and continues on his destructive path.

When Joanna and the Watsons are called in to solve the mystery, they soon discover that although the canvases have been slashed, their backings remain pristine, with no cuts or scratches. The criminal, it seems, is no mere vandal - he's searching for something hidden behind the portraits.

Suspicion soon falls on two skilled art restorers who previously worked at the gallery where all the vandalized art was purchased. When Joanna finds the body of one in a bricked off fireplace at the gallery, the other is left as the prime suspect. But then he's discovered dead as well. Luckily, Joanna has a plan for ensnaring the criminal once and for all. But it must not fail, or more paintings - and lives - will be lost.

A Macmillan Audio production from Minotaur Books

©2020 Leonard Goldberg (P)2020 Macmillan Audio

Slow repetitive development

The complex plot was interesting, but it proceeded much too slowly. Information was repeated and repeated by and for other characters, as if the reader could not keep track of the threads of the clues in the plot. In addition, some glaring language was repeated as well: “we all leaned forward so we would not miss a word“ must have been repeated 3-4 times.

Art of Discussion

This is a complicated story which is great to hear JoAnna figure out through conversations with her husband, Dr. Watson and her son. We learn some about art and the great masters. Thanks for a good story!

Great Book

I love this series and this novel doesn’t disappoint. Highly recommend reading this and the other book in the series.

Poor editing or writing?

The author repeatedly refers to the Second World War which is still decades in the future. This is not the first book in which he has done so.

LOVE the Daughter of Sherlock Holmes!

My husband and I love Sherlock Holmes books and once we discovered this series by Leonard Goldberg we were thrilled by the possibilities. All three of his books have been just wonderful.... tantalizing story telling, fabulous narration and a book you just don't want to end. But, when it does, its always satisfying. Such wonderful characters so true to our beloved Sherlock, Dr. John Watson as still part of the hunt and the stories are true to the style of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle himself.

THE ART OF DECEPTION

I love this series. Always makes me think about the logic in determining who done it!

Very informative and compelling story.

I did not know so much intrigue existed in the art world until I listened to this story. Not only did I learn about the restoration of artwork, but I welcomed the underlying question of where and what the missing artwork was. This was one of the better stories from the artist. It kept me on the edge of my proverbial seat until the end.

Intriguing mystery!

Well written story from the art world. However, I find the lack of inflection in the reader tedious.

GROSS ERROR IN FACTS.

WHILE THE STORY IS FASCINATING, IT BOTHERED ME THATI N PLACES WHERE THE AUTHOR REFERRED TO WORLD WAR ONE AS WORLD WAR TWO, WHICH WAS NOT POSSIBLE DUE TO THE TIME PERIOD THE BOOK WAS SET IN.

A well received installment

I enjoyed the story. The characters were well developed and the story had a few twists and turns as the mystery was investigated. A little simplistic, but overall well told. The narration let the story moving along and I found it was easy to listen to and get lost within. If you like the series, you will like this installment.