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gilmoreguide's review against another edition
2.0
An obscure Goya self-portrait is at the center of The Black Painting and the Morse family, who owns it. Or did until it was stolen after which time the family fractured amidst distrust and dysfuntion. Now with their grandfather dead under mysterious circumstances, cousins Teresa, James, Audrey, and Kenny are brought back together for the first time in a decade and things get complicated fast. Too complicated. I finished because it’s a mystery and I wanted to know whodunit, but got the sense that Olson decided the murderer at the last minute by throwing a dart at the list of characters.
skylaramoore's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
usbsticky's review against another edition
2.0
2 stars = it was ok.
At 313 pages, this was quite quick to read and get though. The writing was easy to follow but I thought the author had a tendency to start his chapters in the middle of something and the reader had to continue on to figure out who the characters were and what they were doing.
I quite liked the characters and the easy to read text. My biggest quibble was that I thought the writing meandered and was non-focused. I thought it took forever to get to whatever it wanted to say and story just wandered from part to part. Yes, we get to hear about this cousin, that uncle or that person. A lot of background actually but this isn't a book about various disparate backgrounds of these people wandering around in the book is it? Anyway that's just my opinion, other's may differ.
I got this book as a free ARC.
At 313 pages, this was quite quick to read and get though. The writing was easy to follow but I thought the author had a tendency to start his chapters in the middle of something and the reader had to continue on to figure out who the characters were and what they were doing.
I quite liked the characters and the easy to read text. My biggest quibble was that I thought the writing meandered and was non-focused. I thought it took forever to get to whatever it wanted to say and story just wandered from part to part. Yes, we get to hear about this cousin, that uncle or that person. A lot of background actually but this isn't a book about various disparate backgrounds of these people wandering around in the book is it? Anyway that's just my opinion, other's may differ.
I got this book as a free ARC.
nkujnreads's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
belabart71's review against another edition
4.0
Really good mystery novel with some scenes of suspense... I love the subject matter of the “Black Paintings” of Goya... always my favorite set of artwork.. this book was a quick read— well written!
krasimirkaraivanov's review against another edition
3.0
Малко над два месеца ми отне прочитането на този трилър... За идея бих дал 4*, а за изпълнение- 2*...
Очаквах историята да бъде по-мистична, по-завладяваща, по-фантастична... Трудно ми беше началото... докато влезна във филма вече бях преполовил книгата, а там забих много жестоко... може би не беше правилноят момент, може би просто не е моята книга...
Признавам, че финалът не го очаквах, но ми беше много захаросан...
Очаквах историята да бъде по-мистична, по-завладяваща, по-фантастична... Трудно ми беше началото... докато влезна във филма вече бях преполовил книгата, а там забих много жестоко... може би не беше правилноят момент, може би просто не е моята книга...
Признавам, че финалът не го очаквах, но ми беше много захаросан...
robinsbooks's review against another edition
3.0
Can't quite put my finger on why this didn't resonate with me but it didn't. It may have been because I couldn't warm up to any of the characters and the whole story seemed rather flat.
Or, maybe it was just my mood. Sometimes that happens.
Thanks to the publisher for the advance reading copy.
Or, maybe it was just my mood. Sometimes that happens.
Thanks to the publisher for the advance reading copy.
reading_cat's review against another edition
5.0
A mystery novel so enthralling, that you can't but devour!
The Black Painting is a standalone mystery novel by Neil Olson, centered around Teresa in her quest to discover her family's secrets and the real story behind the disappearance of a Goya painting.
Teresa's grandfather invites his family over to his secluded mansion, to discuss with them his will. Only for Teresa to find him dead as soon as she arrives. An investigation begins, and soon Teresa starts questioning all of her relatives and their motives for wanting her grandfather dead. Oh, and they are a lot.
An intriguing and captivating story, a fabulously-written novel, which I felt like I inhaled, as I finished it in under 2 days.
The mood was dark and matched the plot perfectly, the main heroine was brilliant and I loved reading her thoughts as she uncovered the family's secrets and gave us her opinions on her relatives.
There was suspense, there was mystery and a smart protagonist, perfectly suited to this story line.
As a crime literature enthusiast, I am adding it to my favorite mystery novels ever printed and intending to actively spread the word about it!
I would like to thank the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with an e-arc, in exchange for an honest review.
The Black Painting is a standalone mystery novel by Neil Olson, centered around Teresa in her quest to discover her family's secrets and the real story behind the disappearance of a Goya painting.
Teresa's grandfather invites his family over to his secluded mansion, to discuss with them his will. Only for Teresa to find him dead as soon as she arrives. An investigation begins, and soon Teresa starts questioning all of her relatives and their motives for wanting her grandfather dead. Oh, and they are a lot.
An intriguing and captivating story, a fabulously-written novel, which I felt like I inhaled, as I finished it in under 2 days.
The mood was dark and matched the plot perfectly, the main heroine was brilliant and I loved reading her thoughts as she uncovered the family's secrets and gave us her opinions on her relatives.
There was suspense, there was mystery and a smart protagonist, perfectly suited to this story line.
As a crime literature enthusiast, I am adding it to my favorite mystery novels ever printed and intending to actively spread the word about it!
I would like to thank the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with an e-arc, in exchange for an honest review.
diannel_04's review against another edition
2.0
I really enjoyed this book until the ending which was really stupid. I wouldn't recommend anyone waste their time. You'll only be disappointed.