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Memoria #1
Memoria
Grad student Violet Tenet can't believe her good fortune. Thanks to a secret benefactor, she’s traveling abroad with only one odd request to fulfill—a weekly telegram addressed to her patron. In exchange, she finds herself exploring Venice's museums, campi, and canals while she learns about a gem-encrusted Carnival mask stolen during the chaos of World War II. The Sebastiano Mask, however, isn't the only mask missing in Venice. Violet's friend, Tom Fielding, reports a Plague Doctor mask has recently vanished as well, and from the very same museum. Even more disturbing, an unidentified woman was found murdered at the scene of both crimes, more than sixty years apart. Soon, Violet realizes the mystery of the two masks is far more complex than she ever imagined, that both she and Tom are involved, and it's all up to her if they are to survive an adventure that takes them from Venice to London to the Scottish Highlands and beyond.
Praise for MEMORIA:
“… a charming protagonist with a wry sense of humor … Violet’s relationship with Tom is flawlessly detailed, building on small moments … with refreshing subtlety ... the mystery doesn’t let up; more secrets are gradually revealed even in the final pages. Multiple genres come together to form a rewarding, incomparable novel.”
Kirkus Reviews (starred review)
For the entire review:
Kirkus Reviews
Praise for MEMORIA:
“… a charming protagonist with a wry sense of humor … Violet’s relationship with Tom is flawlessly detailed, building on small moments … with refreshing subtlety ... the mystery doesn’t let up; more secrets are gradually revealed even in the final pages. Multiple genres come together to form a rewarding, incomparable novel.”
Kirkus Reviews (starred review)
For the entire review:
Kirkus Reviews
268 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 2, 2011
2 people are currently reading
919 people want to read
About the author
Elizabeth Segrave
3 books13 followersAuthor Elizabeth Segrave channels her love of mystery, sci-fi, history, and travel into creating the Memoria series. She constantly dreams of her next holiday abroad and has lived with her family throughout the U.S., in Europe, and the Middle East. Her latest projects are Books Three and Four in the series.
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
April 3, 2012
Mystery, intrigue, and surprises abound in this fascinating book with settings that range from Venice, Italy to Scotland.
How can the theft of a masques from a museum in Venice have anything to do with a manor house in Scotland?
Who are the mysterious women who die during the thefts of the masques and yet are sometimes not dead?
Who is Tom Fielding and how does he fit into Violet’s life?
As a reader, I found myself scratching my head from time to time about what was going on, but the confusion is all part of the story, the mystery of Violet’s strange benefactor and how he fits into the strange events that are happening throughout.
I enjoyed this strange and unpredictable book which I received in a giveaway from the Goodread’s First Reads program.
How can the theft of a masques from a museum in Venice have anything to do with a manor house in Scotland?
Who are the mysterious women who die during the thefts of the masques and yet are sometimes not dead?
Who is Tom Fielding and how does he fit into Violet’s life?
As a reader, I found myself scratching my head from time to time about what was going on, but the confusion is all part of the story, the mystery of Violet’s strange benefactor and how he fits into the strange events that are happening throughout.
I enjoyed this strange and unpredictable book which I received in a giveaway from the Goodread’s First Reads program.
April 4, 2012
I won a copy on Goodreads Firstreads.
Violet Tenet is given the chance to experience college and traveling abroad by a secret benefactor.She just has to send him a weekly telegram to him.She is willing to put her curiousity aside to make sure she doesn't threaten this chance.While in Venice, she becomes entangled in the mystery of two masks stolen sixty years apart.This mystery just leads to a bigger mystery.Tom Fielding provides Violet with a helper and possible love, but he has a mysterious air about him as well.The mystery will end up leading them from Venice to the Scottish Highlands.
The mystery is well-thought out.There are plenty of strings to follow that will keep the reader guessing until they are tied-up at the conclusion.The characters are likable and well developed.Plenty of local color helps to make the story come alive.The book does suffer from some of the same flaws that most books of this genre have, but it's better than many as well.
Memoria proves the old adage about not judging a book by its cover.The cover is both unimaginative and confusing.(What are those numbers?)Don't let it keep you from passing over this gem.The story inside is worth a read.
Violet Tenet is given the chance to experience college and traveling abroad by a secret benefactor.She just has to send him a weekly telegram to him.She is willing to put her curiousity aside to make sure she doesn't threaten this chance.While in Venice, she becomes entangled in the mystery of two masks stolen sixty years apart.This mystery just leads to a bigger mystery.Tom Fielding provides Violet with a helper and possible love, but he has a mysterious air about him as well.The mystery will end up leading them from Venice to the Scottish Highlands.
The mystery is well-thought out.There are plenty of strings to follow that will keep the reader guessing until they are tied-up at the conclusion.The characters are likable and well developed.Plenty of local color helps to make the story come alive.The book does suffer from some of the same flaws that most books of this genre have, but it's better than many as well.
Memoria proves the old adage about not judging a book by its cover.The cover is both unimaginative and confusing.(What are those numbers?)Don't let it keep you from passing over this gem.The story inside is worth a read.
February 18, 2018
This book came as a pleasant surprise! I only now read the blurb and figured based on it I would not have picked it myself. But am I glad I didn't read it before hand. No the blurb isn't bad, it simply describes a premise I don't see interesting me. Once reading the book I get caught up into the lives of the characters. I got pulled into the intrigue. I ended up NEEDING to know what was going on. Great job.
November 14, 2011
Enjoyed this. Art history student Violet has an anonymous benefactor who sends her to Venice. From there she's drawn into a mystery involving two Carnival masks. Lots of romance (it's Venice, of course) with a clever sci-fi element that pulls together threads from World War II and the French Revolution.
February 13, 2012
I won Memoria in a First Reads giveaway. It is the story of a student whose education is being funded by a mysterious benefactor, and a mystery she unknowingly uncovers while on a trip to Venice to study art history. I enjoyed the story and the characters a lot. Memoria is a mystery with a little romance and a little sci-fi. It was intriguing and fun and everything I want out of a mystery.
July 1, 2022
interesting concept…
I loved the concept but had issues with the book. I enjoyed the art history and the air of mystery but the characters and plot did not hold my interest. The chemistry was missing between the characters, the plot disjointed and the final quarter a poor scramble to try and “connect the dots”.
I loved the concept but had issues with the book. I enjoyed the art history and the air of mystery but the characters and plot did not hold my interest. The chemistry was missing between the characters, the plot disjointed and the final quarter a poor scramble to try and “connect the dots”.
April 1, 2022
A ‘can’t put it down’ book!
Segrave’s writing painted her story in my mind as I read. I haven’t read fiction in decades, but I could not put this down. Well developed characters I could also picture in my mind. I bit of an interesting twist, great book for a free afternoon.
Segrave’s writing painted her story in my mind as I read. I haven’t read fiction in decades, but I could not put this down. Well developed characters I could also picture in my mind. I bit of an interesting twist, great book for a free afternoon.
March 26, 2014
I picked this up on a whim and I'm so glad I did! I could not put this down.
January 1, 2023
Violet is an art history major whose education is funded by a mysterious scholarship. On a study trip to Venice, there are some strange happenings, both in Venice generally and in Violet's personal life.
Approximately 60% of the book is based in Venice. Part II of the book makes a rather abrupt turn; new ideas and plot lines appear and the story becomes much different. The book turns from a well written mystery to a romance and sci-fi that is proceeding at warp speed. Once the author changed gears, she seem determined to just finish the story. The well developed story turned into a race to the finish line, with little or no time for the reader to ponder the clues. Perhaps later books in this series will help fill in the gaps.
Approximately 60% of the book is based in Venice. Part II of the book makes a rather abrupt turn; new ideas and plot lines appear and the story becomes much different. The book turns from a well written mystery to a romance and sci-fi that is proceeding at warp speed. Once the author changed gears, she seem determined to just finish the story. The well developed story turned into a race to the finish line, with little or no time for the reader to ponder the clues. Perhaps later books in this series will help fill in the gaps.
April 4, 2022
Average thriller left me unsatisfied.
The narrative style was first person, but written as a remembrance. It felt at time like a diary, especially with the clumsy foreshadowing. The first half dragged along, while the second half tried to wrap it all up. But it was a mess. I kept hoping for more, but the story left me unsatisfied. I’m amazed I finished it, as I also gave up on it many times. I didn’t feel attached to the main characters my lack of empathy robbed me of any emotional investment. It was just ‘meh’.
The narrative style was first person, but written as a remembrance. It felt at time like a diary, especially with the clumsy foreshadowing. The first half dragged along, while the second half tried to wrap it all up. But it was a mess. I kept hoping for more, but the story left me unsatisfied. I’m amazed I finished it, as I also gave up on it many times. I didn’t feel attached to the main characters my lack of empathy robbed me of any emotional investment. It was just ‘meh’.
May 26, 2017
I LOVED the plot of the story, but the writing was lacking and sometimes confusing. The characters were underdeveloped and almost bipolar in their associations with no backstory as to why they had acted that way. There was some mild sexual descriptions/offensive language. Overall, I wouldn't read it again and probably won't read the sequel.
Did Not Finish
April 2, 2023DNF @ 11% I received a copy of this ebook in a Goodreads giveaway.
I just didn’t find this very interesting.
I just didn’t find this very interesting.
December 4, 2012
Memoria pulled in a lot of factors that challenge my preferred genre. The blurb sounded intriguing and hinted at elements I love in any book. Unfortunately, the Art/History components were more prominent that I expected. I persevered anyway. I felt the whole book was quite average. The mystery fell short of suspense and significance. The characters were ordinary. Even with these challenges, I still feel that Segrave has a unique writing style that I actually really liked. Perhaps she could add a little spice to her next novel and employ a graphic artist to make her cover shine… I would give it read.
November 15, 2011
I really enjoyed this book. It was very captivating and kept me coming back for more! (It's the first time I have had the patience and motivation to read an entire book on my phone!) Violet is such a likable character as well as the intriguing Tom Fielding. It kept me guessing from the beginning and didn't disappoint in the end. The descriptions of Venice make me want to go back and revisit - even if it is the rainy season again!
March 4, 2012
I enjoyed this book because it kept me guessing. I couldn't predict the ending - the back cover does not give anything away. I liked the mix of romance, mystery, art and sci fi.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews