Publisher: Harper Paperbacks / Harper Audio
Published: March 1, 2022
Source: Print – ARC Paperback via Publisher / Audio – ALC via Publisher
Summary:
From the author of the award-winning Fugitive Colors and The Unbreakables, a gripping tale of a young, ambitious journalist embroiled in an international art scandal centered around a Nazi-looted masterpiece – forcing the ultimate showdown between passion and possession, lovers and liars, history and truth.
After talking her way into a job with Dan Mansfield, the leading investigative reporter in Chicago, rising young journalist Jules Roth is given an unusual – and very secret – assignment. Dan needs her to locate a painting stolen by the Nazis more than 75 years earlier: legendary Expressionist artist Ernst Engel’s most famous work, Woman on Fire. World-renowned shoe designer Ellis Baum wants this portrait of a beautiful, mysterious woman for deeply personal reasons, and has enlisted Dan’s help to find it. But Jules doesn’t have much time; the famous designer is dying.
Meanwhile, in Europe, provocative and powerful Margaux de Laurent also searches for the painting. Heir to her art collector family’s millions, Margaux is a cunning gallerist who gets everything she wants. The only thing standing in her way is Jules. Yet the passionate and determined Jules has unexpected resources of her own, including Adam Baum, Ellis’s grandson. A recovering addict and brilliant artist in his own right, Adam was once in Margaux’s clutches. He knows how ruthless she is, and he’ll do anything to help Jules locate the painting before Margaux gets to it first.
A thrilling tale of secrets, love, and sacrifice that illuminates the destructive cruelty of war and greed and the triumphant power of beauty and love, Woman on Fire tells the story of a remarkable woman and an exquisite work of art that burns bright, moving through hands, hearts, and history.
My thoughts:
I absolutely loved Lisa Barr’s last novel, The Unbreakables, so it was a no-brainer to request this new one. And what a book it was. I loved it and it is now clear that Lisa Barr is a must-read author!
This book was so captivating and engaging. It grabbed me from the start and never let up. I have always enjoyed books that deal with art and theft, but the spin that the author puts on this one was just so unique. While parts of this book are rooted in the past, giving it a historical feel, it really is primarily set in the present. And the two main characters – Jules, the young reporter, and Margaux, the art gallerist, are just such compelling characters. I loved both of them for different reasons and found that I could not get enough of them. They were such strong, fascinating characters and I loved their motivations for wanting to get this one painting.
This book is such a thrilling read and really keeps you on the edge of your seat the entire time. I loved how all the bits of history were woven in, while at the same time giving us a story that is emotional and intense. I cannot recommend this one enough.
Audio thoughts:
This book translated so well onto audio…I just could not stop listening to it. The narrator, Carlotta Brentan, did a fantastic job bringing the story to life, giving the characters their own unique voices and personalities. Her pacing was spot on and she infused just the right amount of emotion and suspense into her voice as needed. I really enjoyed this audio.
