Scan barcode
topdragon's review against another edition
4.0
A nicely done thriller that combines a well-conceived plot involving the Nazi's stolen artwork and a myriad of characters trying to sort out that mystery while at the same time solve some murders associated with the lost treasure. The Paris setting seems to be getting a lot of attention in various reviews and, indeed, it is obvious the author is very familiar with Paris as well as Sarasota Florida, the other setting of the novel.
I did knock it down one star though for characterization. The author does a fine job in the mechanics of writing: plot, setting, pacing, and so forth but sometimes the novel comes across as "reporting". There are quite a few information dumps as the story does require that we readers understand a lot of historical material. So we have to get that information somehow. And, to his credit, the author does often relay that information pretty well...in dialog for example. But somehow I never felt like I really got to know the main characters as well as I wanted to. This is sort of nit-picky as I certainly did enjoy the overall novel. Some good action sequences balanced nicely with intrigue, romance, and historical flashbacks.
I did knock it down one star though for characterization. The author does a fine job in the mechanics of writing: plot, setting, pacing, and so forth but sometimes the novel comes across as "reporting". There are quite a few information dumps as the story does require that we readers understand a lot of historical material. So we have to get that information somehow. And, to his credit, the author does often relay that information pretty well...in dialog for example. But somehow I never felt like I really got to know the main characters as well as I wanted to. This is sort of nit-picky as I certainly did enjoy the overall novel. Some good action sequences balanced nicely with intrigue, romance, and historical flashbacks.
ephraimauthor's review against another edition
4.0
The book started out good, but began to slow down in Sarasota. There was too much dialogue and too many characters. I found it hard to follow who was who. Eddie is not really my kind of hero -too much of a pantywaist - but he is acceptable and he is the gas that keeps the book going. I'm hoping he ups his game in future books.
Strange family, the Grant family, but aren't all French families strange for an American? John Pearce brings that out in spades and that is one of the book's strong points. He also conveys the American feeling for Parisian places and customs. The question is, "Who cares about Parisian places and customs?" The answer is, "Probably I do because I liked this book." Good story, good atmosphere, pretty good characters, although slightly too eccentric. I see that John Pearce has written other Eddie Grant books and I'm going to buy another one.
Strange family, the Grant family, but aren't all French families strange for an American? John Pearce brings that out in spades and that is one of the book's strong points. He also conveys the American feeling for Parisian places and customs. The question is, "Who cares about Parisian places and customs?" The answer is, "Probably I do because I liked this book." Good story, good atmosphere, pretty good characters, although slightly too eccentric. I see that John Pearce has written other Eddie Grant books and I'm going to buy another one.
susangiardina's review against another edition
2.0
Disappointing
I was disappointed in this book. The subject of stolen treasure and fine art by the Nazis is for me an intriguing part of WWII. That and an interesting plot were spoiled by poor writing. Too many week and underdeveloped characters, and endlessly unrealistic dialogue made it a poor read.
I was disappointed in this book. The subject of stolen treasure and fine art by the Nazis is for me an intriguing part of WWII. That and an interesting plot were spoiled by poor writing. Too many week and underdeveloped characters, and endlessly unrealistic dialogue made it a poor read.
sean31's review
4.0
Taken from my Amazon.com review.
Full disclosure: I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review. The following opinions are entirely my own.
"Treasure" is hard to categorize into a specific genre because it works hard to cover so many bases. At it's core, it's a treasure hunt, but it is wrapped in intrigue and action, reaching from the fall of the Third Reich to the present day City of Lights, with enough romance to keep interactions engaging, but not enough to classify it as a "romance" novel - a fact for which I am particularly glad.
The main question, of course, is how effectively it covers those bases. The plot of a mystery must be quick and snappy, and for the most part, "Treasure" delivered. It occasionally sagged in places where author John Pearce engaged in significant meandering in his writing - the side notes on the locales were pleasant enough and created a pretty visual, but the histories of side characters and their families became irrelevant minutiae that slowed things down. It wound up being quite a long read - dangerous, for a mystery, but it was compelling enough to keep me hooked.
The characters were, for the most part, charming and enjoyable. Even the "bad guys" had depth to them, demonstrating how carefully they were written. The cast is expansive, however, and not always easy to keep track of. As for the mystery, it was quite convoluted, but cleared up very nicely in the end, which was a very satisfying one. One of the worst crimes a mystery novel can commit is to set up a brilliant mystery and then resolve it in a trite or unsatisfying manner, a crime of which Mr. Pearce is fortunately innocent.
Editing was clearly thorough and careful, there were precious few errors to my recollection, and none which had any impact on the story or its readability whatsoever. I received the paperback volume, the layout and font of which was very clear and readable, and large for those with poor vision. The binding is of good quality, and I expect it to last through many future perusals. All told, "Treasure" is not without its flaws, but the overall plot is quite worth its duller moments, and I would recommend it to any fans of history, art, Paris, mystery, or adventure.
Full disclosure: I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review. The following opinions are entirely my own.
"Treasure" is hard to categorize into a specific genre because it works hard to cover so many bases. At it's core, it's a treasure hunt, but it is wrapped in intrigue and action, reaching from the fall of the Third Reich to the present day City of Lights, with enough romance to keep interactions engaging, but not enough to classify it as a "romance" novel - a fact for which I am particularly glad.
The main question, of course, is how effectively it covers those bases. The plot of a mystery must be quick and snappy, and for the most part, "Treasure" delivered. It occasionally sagged in places where author John Pearce engaged in significant meandering in his writing - the side notes on the locales were pleasant enough and created a pretty visual, but the histories of side characters and their families became irrelevant minutiae that slowed things down. It wound up being quite a long read - dangerous, for a mystery, but it was compelling enough to keep me hooked.
The characters were, for the most part, charming and enjoyable. Even the "bad guys" had depth to them, demonstrating how carefully they were written. The cast is expansive, however, and not always easy to keep track of. As for the mystery, it was quite convoluted, but cleared up very nicely in the end, which was a very satisfying one. One of the worst crimes a mystery novel can commit is to set up a brilliant mystery and then resolve it in a trite or unsatisfying manner, a crime of which Mr. Pearce is fortunately innocent.
Editing was clearly thorough and careful, there were precious few errors to my recollection, and none which had any impact on the story or its readability whatsoever. I received the paperback volume, the layout and font of which was very clear and readable, and large for those with poor vision. The binding is of good quality, and I expect it to last through many future perusals. All told, "Treasure" is not without its flaws, but the overall plot is quite worth its duller moments, and I would recommend it to any fans of history, art, Paris, mystery, or adventure.
sunsoar25's review
4.0
I'm very glad I won this through the First Reads program. I had a hard time putting it down. Pearce beautifully describes the locations, especially Paris. The twists and turns really kept me on the edge of my seat! My only negative comment is that it could be confusing keeping up with the cast of characters; sometimes I would have to reread a section of dialogue to make sure I knew who was saying what. To be truthful, I probably won't read the sequel but I greatly enjoyed Treasure of Saint-Lazare.
More...