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The Rare Traits Trilogy #1
Rare Traits
John Andrews is an extraordinary man. Not only is he an artist as gifted as any of the old masters, but at almost 600 years old, he is as youthful as he was back in the 1460s.
Born Luca di Stefano in early Renaissance Tuscany, he is apprenticed to the great fresco painter, Piero della Francesca. He has perfect health, which he assumes is good luck, but as the years pass, he realises that there is something else very different about him: he is not ageing.
At sixty, his youthful looks become a threat to his life when a fanatical and over-zealous Church wants him burnt at the stake as a servant of the Devil. Fleeing to Naples, he adopts a new identity and starts a new life, the first of many artistic personas through the centuries.
Fast forward to 2009 when John’s DNA is profiled. Once its full significance becomes clear, it is not only geneticists who are interested: there are others desperate for the secret of John’s longevity and they will stop at nothing to get it.
Set throughout the world during the past six centuries, Rare Traits is a fast-moving thriller that interweaves art history, forensic science and DNA profiling with John Andrews’ lives as various artists. It traces his lovers, his families and his friends, and above all it traces the challenges he faces in order to survive. For no matter how long he lives, one thing is certain: John can never stop looking over his shoulder.
Born Luca di Stefano in early Renaissance Tuscany, he is apprenticed to the great fresco painter, Piero della Francesca. He has perfect health, which he assumes is good luck, but as the years pass, he realises that there is something else very different about him: he is not ageing.
At sixty, his youthful looks become a threat to his life when a fanatical and over-zealous Church wants him burnt at the stake as a servant of the Devil. Fleeing to Naples, he adopts a new identity and starts a new life, the first of many artistic personas through the centuries.
Fast forward to 2009 when John’s DNA is profiled. Once its full significance becomes clear, it is not only geneticists who are interested: there are others desperate for the secret of John’s longevity and they will stop at nothing to get it.
Set throughout the world during the past six centuries, Rare Traits is a fast-moving thriller that interweaves art history, forensic science and DNA profiling with John Andrews’ lives as various artists. It traces his lovers, his families and his friends, and above all it traces the challenges he faces in order to survive. For no matter how long he lives, one thing is certain: John can never stop looking over his shoulder.
- GenresScience Fiction
506 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 8, 2012
8 people are currently reading
89 people want to read
About the author
David George Clarke
26 books3 followersIN A NUTSHELL
A former Hong Kong Government Chemist and head of Hong Kong’s Forensic Science Laboratory, I have over thirty years experience in scientific crime investigation. On retirement to Tuscany, I fulfilled a life-long ambition by studying art restoration. My wife Gail and I now share our time mainly between England and Italy with breaks in deep midwinter to Thailand, all wonderful places to indulge our joint passion for writing.
BIGGER NUTSHELL
A former forensic scientist and Hong Kong Government Chemist, I studied for my bachelors and doctorate degrees in chemistry at the University of Nottingham, after which I joined the West Midlands Forensic Science Laboratory in Birmingham, England,
Hong Kong
After three years learning the nuances of the trade, I followed an ambition to work overseas by taking a post as a forensic scientist in the Hong Kong Government Laboratory. The lure and excitement of the Far East proved very strong and twenty-eight years later I was still there, retiring eventually as Hong Kong’s last expatriate Government Chemist in 2004.
Tuscany
From Hong Kong, my wife, the children’s book author and illustrator Gail Clarke, and I moved to the wilds of Tuscany where we set about taming our three acres of land. At the same time, we took steps to improve our Italian and I also embarked on a course of study and work experience in art restoration.
… and everywhere
However, we found they still missed many aspects of the Far East and we had a yearning to rediscover England after so many years away. Having decided there was no reason why we couldn’t embrace the lot while still pursuing our writing, we now share our time largely between England and Tuscany with winter forays to Thailand.
Inspiration
As a forensic scientist, my caseload covered a wide range of crimes, including homicides, kidnappings and fire investigations, the work often starting at a crime scene and finishing with the presentation of expert evidence in court. This background and my more recent forays into the world of art restoration have been drawn on extensively in writing the Rare Traits Trilogy and my latest novel, Irrefutable Evidence.
I am also the author of a non-fictional work, Hong Kong Under The Microscope, an account of the 125-year history of the Hong Kong Government Laboratory from 1879-2004.
In addition to writing, I am a keen photographer – dgcphoto.com – cyclist and rower
A former Hong Kong Government Chemist and head of Hong Kong’s Forensic Science Laboratory, I have over thirty years experience in scientific crime investigation. On retirement to Tuscany, I fulfilled a life-long ambition by studying art restoration. My wife Gail and I now share our time mainly between England and Italy with breaks in deep midwinter to Thailand, all wonderful places to indulge our joint passion for writing.
BIGGER NUTSHELL
A former forensic scientist and Hong Kong Government Chemist, I studied for my bachelors and doctorate degrees in chemistry at the University of Nottingham, after which I joined the West Midlands Forensic Science Laboratory in Birmingham, England,
Hong Kong
After three years learning the nuances of the trade, I followed an ambition to work overseas by taking a post as a forensic scientist in the Hong Kong Government Laboratory. The lure and excitement of the Far East proved very strong and twenty-eight years later I was still there, retiring eventually as Hong Kong’s last expatriate Government Chemist in 2004.
Tuscany
From Hong Kong, my wife, the children’s book author and illustrator Gail Clarke, and I moved to the wilds of Tuscany where we set about taming our three acres of land. At the same time, we took steps to improve our Italian and I also embarked on a course of study and work experience in art restoration.
… and everywhere
However, we found they still missed many aspects of the Far East and we had a yearning to rediscover England after so many years away. Having decided there was no reason why we couldn’t embrace the lot while still pursuing our writing, we now share our time largely between England and Tuscany with winter forays to Thailand.
Inspiration
As a forensic scientist, my caseload covered a wide range of crimes, including homicides, kidnappings and fire investigations, the work often starting at a crime scene and finishing with the presentation of expert evidence in court. This background and my more recent forays into the world of art restoration have been drawn on extensively in writing the Rare Traits Trilogy and my latest novel, Irrefutable Evidence.
I am also the author of a non-fictional work, Hong Kong Under The Microscope, an account of the 125-year history of the Hong Kong Government Laboratory from 1879-2004.
In addition to writing, I am a keen photographer – dgcphoto.com – cyclist and rower
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
May 25, 2015
A rare find
What a pleasure it is to open a book basically hoping not to be disappointed again, and then to find something that is a delight to read. Like most people, I've thought about what it might be like to live forever, or at least for a very long time. This book brings that strange reality to life. But in addition to the fascinating main character, we are gifted with several side characters who are interesting and fun to be with in their own right.
This is a bit like a detailed historical novel combined with the medical thriller. And as an added bonus you learn a little bit about art history. I made time to read this one, instead of just reading it when I had time. Rare Traits will take you on a rare journey through time and the human spirit.
What a pleasure it is to open a book basically hoping not to be disappointed again, and then to find something that is a delight to read. Like most people, I've thought about what it might be like to live forever, or at least for a very long time. This book brings that strange reality to life. But in addition to the fascinating main character, we are gifted with several side characters who are interesting and fun to be with in their own right.
This is a bit like a detailed historical novel combined with the medical thriller. And as an added bonus you learn a little bit about art history. I made time to read this one, instead of just reading it when I had time. Rare Traits will take you on a rare journey through time and the human spirit.
April 3, 2026
Unique and brilliant
What a great story. I was hooked from the start and the amazing storyline kept me riveted all the way through.
I love the David Clarke books with their unusual plots and great characters which draw you in. Can’t wait to read the next one!
I thoroughly recommend this book…
What a great story. I was hooked from the start and the amazing storyline kept me riveted all the way through.
I love the David Clarke books with their unusual plots and great characters which draw you in. Can’t wait to read the next one!
I thoroughly recommend this book…
January 22, 2025
This book is amazing! Well researched, detailed, and told. Without offering spoilers, I will just say - READ IT! I can’t wait to read the next one! Bravo, David! Highly recommend!!!
March 27, 2013
My goodness, I don’t know where to start. I just finished this book and I think part of me cried because it was over! It was FABULOUS! As one who loves action, a good mystery, art and history, Rare Traits is a rare treat; it has it all!
The book is set in….every time. The main puzzle of the story is in 2009 and I love how well and logically the historical puzzle pieces fit together. The main character is totally likable and there is plenty of "time” to get to know him and like him. He has a gift he doesn’t understand that he could abuse but he never does.
When modern day scientists get a hold of a sample of his DNA an explanation of his secret starts to come together. Where earlier in his long life the church wanted to capture and execute him as a demon, understanding of his condition gets the attention of a modern day corporation that wants to exploit him for personal gain, regardless of the possible consequences to him. Fear and greed are great evils; greed is still more evil.
What I really loved about this book was that it made logical sense. Oh the 600 year old man? Keep reading and you start to wonder if it is indeed possible! Maybe you’ve met a super-super-centenarian. The best fiction is fiction that makes you wonder if just maybe…
At the end of the book, some loose ends are wrapped up. Guarantees are not such guarantees after all. What all does the government cover up? So many parts to DNA; how much of it is still untapped?
Be sure to read the Afterword; it’ll make you go “wow!”
According to David George Clarke’s website, the second book in this trilogy is due to be released at the end of the year; I can’t wait to read it!!
The book is set in….every time. The main puzzle of the story is in 2009 and I love how well and logically the historical puzzle pieces fit together. The main character is totally likable and there is plenty of "time” to get to know him and like him. He has a gift he doesn’t understand that he could abuse but he never does.
When modern day scientists get a hold of a sample of his DNA an explanation of his secret starts to come together. Where earlier in his long life the church wanted to capture and execute him as a demon, understanding of his condition gets the attention of a modern day corporation that wants to exploit him for personal gain, regardless of the possible consequences to him. Fear and greed are great evils; greed is still more evil.
What I really loved about this book was that it made logical sense. Oh the 600 year old man? Keep reading and you start to wonder if it is indeed possible! Maybe you’ve met a super-super-centenarian. The best fiction is fiction that makes you wonder if just maybe…
At the end of the book, some loose ends are wrapped up. Guarantees are not such guarantees after all. What all does the government cover up? So many parts to DNA; how much of it is still untapped?
Be sure to read the Afterword; it’ll make you go “wow!”
According to David George Clarke’s website, the second book in this trilogy is due to be released at the end of the year; I can’t wait to read it!!
April 15, 2013
RARE TRAITS is a wonderful book. It presents the story of an ageless artist struggling to conceal his gift in an age of DNA analysis and facial recognition cameras. The thing that makes this book special is how it uses the forensic and art restoration sciences to propel an historic thriller. The details and the story make this book great. I've read many books by independent authors and my main criticism has been their lack of originality; the bad guys are always psycho pedophiles and the hero is always a wise-ass forced to resign from some agency due to their inability to serve the man. In RARE TRAITS, our hero is a talented artist, who also know how to use his hands. It's rare fun. I thoroughly enjoyed this novel and look forward to the next installment. If you're looking for something different that is incredibly well-written, RARE TRAITS is the book for you, highly recommended.
November 4, 2013
This book came to my attention through the son of the author and it was an amazing book. It took me longer to read it than normal because I had a couple of other books that took priority but once I got about halfway through it I couldn't put it down!!! The complex story left me questioning what life could hold for someone who had immunity to every disease on earth. This book had an unusual story but one that drew me in. I had to work to keep the characters straight in the beginning but it was well worth the read.
If you want to read a novel with a bit of a twist, some unexpected turns centered around the art world this is a must read. The first book in a trilogy---can't wait to see what follows!
If you want to read a novel with a bit of a twist, some unexpected turns centered around the art world this is a must read. The first book in a trilogy---can't wait to see what follows!
February 3, 2013
Would give 3.5 stars, if possible...thought-provoking premise, got me thinking about the ever-evolving presence of Big Brother and surprised me at the end.
November 5, 2013
Enjoyed this book, brought together all my passion, Italy, art, science with the touch of mystery and thrills.
August 4, 2015
Very pleased with Clarke's creativity and craftsmanship. I bought book two in the series and paid full price. GASP! Best recommendation I can make.
Want to Read
March 15, 2015kindle
May 7, 2016
Couldn't put this down!
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews