Reviews

The Black Painting by Neil Olson

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.

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.

ems_nextchapter's review against another edition

challenging dark mysterious tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

A painting goes missing years ago and know it's former owner is dead. The family are nort exactly close and definitely don't trust each other. It's up to Tereasa and her uncles investigator to figure it all out. 

I really enjoyed this book! I am a sucker for a good mystery and even though was such a fast paced read it still included lots of small details and clues that you don't click onto until things start to unravel

The character building and scene setting in this book was incredible, definitely gave me a shiver or two when reading at night and I don't scare easy 

I didn't figure it out until a short while before it was revealed which I actually preferred - it takes the fun away if you can figure out how it ends half way through

katykat_reads's review against another edition

dark mysterious tense medium-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

5.0

sealfox's review against another edition

4.0

Truly an underrated book, there were a lot of surprises, the MAIN characters have good development, the plot is created from a "detective" standpoint and if you love "family drama" thrillers you will love this.

grammarchick's review against another edition

1.0

Boring and bumbling. If there had turned out to be a more supernatural twist, this might have been interesting. As it was, it felt very cobbled together, no build-up of atmosphere even though there was promise at the beginning, and none of the characters felt fleshed-out or likeable. I do actually care if there's at least ONE person in a book I like or care about, but I got 0 here.

demimancy's review against another edition

4.0

I listened to the audiobook of this, which was a great way to supplement the commutes in which I ran out of podcast to listen to. I liked the eerie atmosphere--the slight psychological twist from the main characters informed the entirety of the mystery. The pace was good, and the eventual reveal was neat and satisfying.

psychotic_reader's review against another edition

3.0

Oh hell come on! This book was cringey as hell. I'm disappointed that 'cringey' isn't a genre. This would fill in as 'cringey' 101%.

yetanothersusan's review against another edition

3.0

An eccentric and faded old money family has lost its patriarch the same day he was to give the rules for inheritance to his grand daughters. He had done so the previous day with the grandsons. But his death brings them all back together at the house many hadn't returned to since the the theft of a Goya painting rumored to hold the Devil. The family, the stereotypical boilerplate image of an old money family who has lost much of its wealth and is relying on image, is weighed down by layers and layers of secrets. As Teresa, the youngest granddaughter and an art history major, begins to catalogue and distribute the art holdings, she starts to uncover the secrets and begins to unravel what happened to her once close family. While there is the mystery of the painting theft, it doesn't seem to be the main focus of the story. Instead, the story deals with the deterioration of the family and the revelation of all those family secrets.

A copy of this book was provided by NetGalley and Harlequin in exchange for an honest review.

kitsana_d's review against another edition

Ugh, can we get on with it, please? No, okay. I tried.