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Genevieve Lenard #2
The Dante Connection
ASIN B00BKKSUTC moved to the most recent edition here
Art theft. Coded messages. A high-level threat.
Despite her initial disbelief, Doctor Genevieve Lenard discovers that she is the key that connects stolen works of art, ciphers and sinister threats.
Betrayed by the people who called themselves her friends, Genevieve throws herself into her insurance investigation job with autistic single-mindedness. When hacker Francine appears beaten and bloodied on her doorstep, begging for her help, Genevieve is forced to get past the hurt of her friends' abandonment and team up with them to find the perpetrators.
Little does she know that it will take her on a journey through not one, but two twisted minds to discover the true target of their mysterious messages. It will take all her personal strength and knowledge as a nonverbal communications expert to overcome fears that could cost not only her life, but the lives of many others.
Art theft. Coded messages. A high-level threat.
Despite her initial disbelief, Doctor Genevieve Lenard discovers that she is the key that connects stolen works of art, ciphers and sinister threats.
Betrayed by the people who called themselves her friends, Genevieve throws herself into her insurance investigation job with autistic single-mindedness. When hacker Francine appears beaten and bloodied on her doorstep, begging for her help, Genevieve is forced to get past the hurt of her friends' abandonment and team up with them to find the perpetrators.
Little does she know that it will take her on a journey through not one, but two twisted minds to discover the true target of their mysterious messages. It will take all her personal strength and knowledge as a nonverbal communications expert to overcome fears that could cost not only her life, but the lives of many others.
365 pages, ebook
First published February 24, 2013
1837 people are currently reading
2826 people want to read
About the author
Estelle Ryan
32 books625 followersEstelle Ryan was born in South Africa and spent her childhood being surrounded by African beauty, nature and diversity of cultures. Her first trip to Europe at the tender age of 16 transformed her world into a much larger place, endless in its possibilities and places to explore. For most of her adulthood she’s travelled all over the world, lived on a few continents, explored numerous cultures and still is insatiable in the quest to still the hunger for more life experiences.
She’s written for numerous international magazines, was the editor of a European lifestyle magazine and has seven romance novels published under a pseudonym. With her interest in international politics, arts, crime, behavioural psychology, criminal psychology and music, she decided to combine all these elements in her writing. And so Genevieve and the team came into being.
She is an unabashed coffeeshopaholic. Good coffee, ambience and music in the perfect combination is all that is required to turn a mundane coffee shop into her 'office'. The appropriate coffee shop is chosen depending on the mood, the weather, the type and amount of work that needs to be done, and of course the craving of the day. All of her books have been written in numerous coffee shops all over the world.
She’s written for numerous international magazines, was the editor of a European lifestyle magazine and has seven romance novels published under a pseudonym. With her interest in international politics, arts, crime, behavioural psychology, criminal psychology and music, she decided to combine all these elements in her writing. And so Genevieve and the team came into being.
She is an unabashed coffeeshopaholic. Good coffee, ambience and music in the perfect combination is all that is required to turn a mundane coffee shop into her 'office'. The appropriate coffee shop is chosen depending on the mood, the weather, the type and amount of work that needs to be done, and of course the craving of the day. All of her books have been written in numerous coffee shops all over the world.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 429 reviews
June 20, 2016
The reviews for this book are crazy. They're cracking me up. Who are all these people with their delicate ears that cannot handle the *gasp* "F" Word. Oh, you guys are too much. This is a book about a woman who works with a hit man, a thief turned agent, and an old cranky interpol guy to solve art thefts. They're not going to say "Oh, gee wiz" and "Gosh darn it!" all day long. They didn't even say (dare I say it?) fuck all that much in the book. Maybe twenty times but everybody's got their knickers in a twist about it here and on Amazon.
/rant over.
Moving on....I like these books because I like Genevieve. She's all smart and socially awkward and shit which I can totally relate to. The cases they solve are super interesting too. However, there are some things about these books that make me batshit crazy. Seriously. During the first and second book, I thought, "Can I keep reading these? It's making me CRAZY." What's so crazy-making?
THIS:
The dialogue is stupid redundant. Over and over the same stuff. And there's just too much dialogue.
The constant use of the secret trope. This character knows this but isn't going to tell that character but OMG! shit is going to get real when they find out. I'm so tired of this. It's the sign of an immature storyteller to rely on the secret trope all the time.
The constant insistence of the characters on protecting Genevieve even though she's forever telling them to knock it off. I would have told all of them where to go by this point. I could not take that incessant smothering. It's not romantic and it's anti-feminist. It's just like in Twilight when Edward essentially stalks Bella but it's framed as romance. Constantly being overprotective is not sweet or chivalrous, it's annoying, patronizing, sexist, and insulting.
The beating of the dead horse. We get it: Genevieve is autistic. She likes to write Mozart songs in her head. She doesn't understand social cues. WE GET IT. At some point, I hope the writer will ease up with this constant need to point out Genevieve's otherness. The most annoying thing about it is the thing that other reviewers have pointed out: It's unrealistic. Genevieve could not possibly have become a world renowned expert on kinesiology or non-verbal communication or whatever they want to call it but still not even know the most basic of slang phrases. When she was completely stumped by what a "time out" is, I wanted to punch the author. Come on, this is ridiculous. She's (mildly) autistic but that doesn't mean she's been living under a rock her whole life.
So those are my issues with the book. I kept reading after the first one because Genevieve is a compelling protagonist. The stories are fun and interesting. It's a quick read. I do sometimes skip over some of Genevieve's redundant observations and the paragraphs about her withdrawing into her world and writing Mozart because I get it already.
I'll read the next one and if I can't handle the negatives anymore, I'll be done but I'm not ready to give up just yet.
/rant over.
Moving on....I like these books because I like Genevieve. She's all smart and socially awkward and shit which I can totally relate to. The cases they solve are super interesting too. However, there are some things about these books that make me batshit crazy. Seriously. During the first and second book, I thought, "Can I keep reading these? It's making me CRAZY." What's so crazy-making?
THIS:
The dialogue is stupid redundant. Over and over the same stuff. And there's just too much dialogue.
The constant use of the secret trope. This character knows this but isn't going to tell that character but OMG! shit is going to get real when they find out. I'm so tired of this. It's the sign of an immature storyteller to rely on the secret trope all the time.
The constant insistence of the characters on protecting Genevieve even though she's forever telling them to knock it off. I would have told all of them where to go by this point. I could not take that incessant smothering. It's not romantic and it's anti-feminist. It's just like in Twilight when Edward essentially stalks Bella but it's framed as romance. Constantly being overprotective is not sweet or chivalrous, it's annoying, patronizing, sexist, and insulting.
The beating of the dead horse. We get it: Genevieve is autistic. She likes to write Mozart songs in her head. She doesn't understand social cues. WE GET IT. At some point, I hope the writer will ease up with this constant need to point out Genevieve's otherness. The most annoying thing about it is the thing that other reviewers have pointed out: It's unrealistic. Genevieve could not possibly have become a world renowned expert on kinesiology or non-verbal communication or whatever they want to call it but still not even know the most basic of slang phrases. When she was completely stumped by what a "time out" is, I wanted to punch the author. Come on, this is ridiculous. She's (mildly) autistic but that doesn't mean she's been living under a rock her whole life.
So those are my issues with the book. I kept reading after the first one because Genevieve is a compelling protagonist. The stories are fun and interesting. It's a quick read. I do sometimes skip over some of Genevieve's redundant observations and the paragraphs about her withdrawing into her world and writing Mozart because I get it already.
I'll read the next one and if I can't handle the negatives anymore, I'll be done but I'm not ready to give up just yet.
March 30, 2017
I didn't like this book at all. The start was interesting. However, as the pages turned over and time flew by, I started losing interest in the book and the plot.
The book is about how the main character Genevieve Lenard, who interestingly is a genius doctor afflicted by ADHD and OCD (was it bordering on autism ?), solves a case of a series of burglaries in homes of the rich and wealthy influential people. Soon the plot turns out to be a case of national interest involving a plot to kill the president (most of these thrillers turn out to be national interest with a plot to kill the president, duh !!). The doctor is assisted by her coterie of four friends who help her out in unravelling the plot. Now the climax gets even more anticlimactic with a strange twist and a huge letdown.
Wouldn't dare to pick another one !
The book is about how the main character Genevieve Lenard, who interestingly is a genius doctor afflicted by ADHD and OCD (was it bordering on autism ?), solves a case of a series of burglaries in homes of the rich and wealthy influential people. Soon the plot turns out to be a case of national interest involving a plot to kill the president (most of these thrillers turn out to be national interest with a plot to kill the president, duh !!). The doctor is assisted by her coterie of four friends who help her out in unravelling the plot. Now the climax gets even more anticlimactic with a strange twist and a huge letdown.
Wouldn't dare to pick another one !
December 20, 2017
Was hard to finish.
Only thing kept me reading this story was paintings and Mozart. Googled the painting, and listened the Mozart on my Echo Show.
Dr. Genevieve Lenard, with multiple PhDs or , misfit friends didn't interested me or couldn't relate to them. Three stars is for music and paintings.
Only thing kept me reading this story was paintings and Mozart. Googled the painting, and listened the Mozart on my Echo Show.
Dr. Genevieve Lenard, with multiple PhDs or , misfit friends didn't interested me or couldn't relate to them. Three stars is for music and paintings.
February 2, 2016
Dr. Genevieve Lenard returns for a second installment. Doctor Lenard is a fascinating character, with multiple Ph.D.s and social challenges from being “non-neurotypical” as she calls her autistic self. Following her debut in The Gauguin Connection, she finds herself adapting her set, isolated ways to the return of some of the folks whom she worked with in the first book, and who showed up again after they had disappeared from her life for a while after the first case. She finds them declaring friendship with her – something she had perilously little of before – and wanting to protect Genevieve without giving her details of why they are protecting her or from what. Genevieve is literal and honest, and those that surround her are accepting her for herself in ways she has never experienced before. The men, a former art thief and forger, his very large protector who is a great cook, and the Interpol man with rumpled grumpiness, join the stylish computer hacker/nerd woman in establishing who is trying to harm Genevieve and why, Things get dangerous and odd amid puzzles and mind games, More than once, Genevieve must withdraw inside herself to go to her Mozart and place of calming reflection. Having read both books so far, I will surely continue, enjoying Genevieve's brilliance and quirkiness, the intricately laid out stories, and the humor often brought out by the interactions of others in her life and her own way of seeing the world.
May 13, 2016
This series is like a Dan Brown novel, with lots of symbolism and obscure clues. The main character, Genevieve, is a fascinating non-neurotypical individual. She reminds me of the Bones character, Dr. Temperance Brennan. All the characters are interesting and I have quickly become enthralled with them. Anxious to read the entire series.
March 7, 2014
This was good, better than the first book. The conversations are all interesting and relevant, the scenes better fleshed out. The characters and their relationships and interactions with each other are more fully explored, and because of that parts of the book are genuinely funny. We learn more about everyone's backstory, which is both poignant and fun. The only character who is sidelined is Philip, the protagonist's boss; he is present for only a few scenes, but the extra Manny time makes up for it. Jenny's body language observations are integrated more smoothly into the narrative than in the first book.
The ending strikes me as an obvious lead-up to a sequel, and as such may weaken the story, but I am okay with that. I haven't read a decent book in a long time and I was really happy while I was reading this.
4.5 stars. Highly recommended if you liked the first book at all.
Content warning: some swearing, mostly limited to the F- and G-word, but it's not excessive. A recording of a violent nonsexual altercation is played, and there are brief descriptions of torture. I am sensitive but did not find any of the content disturbing.
The ending strikes me as an obvious lead-up to a sequel, and as such may weaken the story, but I am okay with that. I haven't read a decent book in a long time and I was really happy while I was reading this.
4.5 stars. Highly recommended if you liked the first book at all.
Content warning: some swearing, mostly limited to the F- and G-word, but it's not excessive. A recording of a violent nonsexual altercation is played, and there are brief descriptions of torture. I am sensitive but did not find any of the content disturbing.
February 5, 2017
I see some very good similarities between this series and the Gamache series by Louise Penny.
Excellent storytelling, lovely writing, and characters who are unique, well-developed, and jump off the page.
I am well and truly addicted to this series now.
Excellent storytelling, lovely writing, and characters who are unique, well-developed, and jump off the page.
I am well and truly addicted to this series now.
July 25, 2018
Oh boy, what a series!
Okay, I'm hooked and it took only two novels in this (very?) long series! Great great characters, most excellent plot and I love where the dynamic between each characters is going. The presence of a very believable arch enemy to the group is definitely an addition to the enjoyment... 8 more to go that I know of... Oh goodness!
Okay, I'm hooked and it took only two novels in this (very?) long series! Great great characters, most excellent plot and I love where the dynamic between each characters is going. The presence of a very believable arch enemy to the group is definitely an addition to the enjoyment... 8 more to go that I know of... Oh goodness!
February 21, 2016
This is an incredibly well written and well researched book. I did not read the first book of the series; Barnes and Noble had this one listed for $1.99 for Nook a few weeks ago so I grabbed it. After finishing it I do plan to go ahead and read the rest of the series (although I intend to read the rest in order then go back to book one when I'm finished).
Genevieve Lenard is a brilliant PhD with non-neurotypical behavior. Ryan never comes out and says she is Autistic or has Asperger's Syndrome, but I believe it is to be inferred. Lenard is a leader in the field of reading non-verbal communication. She somehow ends up working with a group of people who blur the lines between legal and illegal activity (I'm assuming this is explained in the first book). Throughout their work together she is introduced to the worlds of crime, detective work, and fine art.
Ryan weaves together a story that beautifully ties the plot with Lenard's unique personality traits and habits. She uses her non-neurotypical behaviors as a catalyst for her success and genius. I found this all very interesting, and Lenard is most definitely one of the most well developed characters I've found in a crime novel. She is a very brilliantly composed protagonist.
I highly recommend this book. I can't speak to the rest of the series yet, but this book is very, very good. Ryan's knowledge of the art world and international crime seems to be well established through the book. It is an exciting read with lots of interesting plot twists, character twists, and more!
Genevieve Lenard is a brilliant PhD with non-neurotypical behavior. Ryan never comes out and says she is Autistic or has Asperger's Syndrome, but I believe it is to be inferred. Lenard is a leader in the field of reading non-verbal communication. She somehow ends up working with a group of people who blur the lines between legal and illegal activity (I'm assuming this is explained in the first book). Throughout their work together she is introduced to the worlds of crime, detective work, and fine art.
Ryan weaves together a story that beautifully ties the plot with Lenard's unique personality traits and habits. She uses her non-neurotypical behaviors as a catalyst for her success and genius. I found this all very interesting, and Lenard is most definitely one of the most well developed characters I've found in a crime novel. She is a very brilliantly composed protagonist.
I highly recommend this book. I can't speak to the rest of the series yet, but this book is very, very good. Ryan's knowledge of the art world and international crime seems to be well established through the book. It is an exciting read with lots of interesting plot twists, character twists, and more!
July 31, 2018
3.5/5 - couldn't wait to start reading the 2nd instalment after the first thriller - again the "team" is together, after a few akward moments at the start when genevieve lenard has her friends back in her life - she is a really nice character, a good find from the writer - this thriller is even better than the first one, however there are moments when ms. ryan insists a bit much on the personal problems of dr lenard, which makes the story feel a bit longer than should be -
September 12, 2015
Great story - lots of action and suspense. Just got tired of the foul language throughout. The first story in this series had a few bad words, this one got much worse. I don't believe you need to use swear words to get your point across in a good story - it adds nothing to the plot or story line. It ruins the joy of reading for me.
I did not finish this book. The 2 star rating is because of the language.
I did not finish this book. The 2 star rating is because of the language.
November 10, 2016
I really enjoy this author's voice and her ability to construct intricate plots and great characters.
April 19, 2019
This is another good instalment in this "different" series and I did enjoy it once more. The presentation in this one was far superior to book 1 as well. A series I'm sticking with. I really like the characters she's created and there is still so much to learn about them all yet, which bodes well for future stories.
There were some real twists and surprises in this story, I must say ! It certainly kept me interested. I was just fascinated to learn that bees can be utilised to find explosives as well !! There were some very funny lines in it and the odd very heartwarming moments, too.
She did get a little repetitive in a couple of instances. We were told too many times that Genevieve hadn't seen the others for four months and about Angelique being uncomfortable around her for some reason we're yet to be told about. In this story Genevieve doesn't write down her Mozart lines but only imagines them and we weren't told why this had changed.
This sentence had a needless word added, "The rest she all deduced" and a few times she used the wrong word/tense....as in "The conversation was put on halt when Vinnie brought breakfast" when it should read on hold or was halted to make sense and again with "I can spill all kinds of secrets when a man as old-school and macho as you utter those two words" or "My muscles lost some of its tension" and "He look at the laptop." These should really have been spotted and corrected.
Words got dropped from sentences as well, ".....and I saw few interesting things" and "I'll email to you." She needs to pay attention too to what Genevieve says about using nouns as verbs as she did here, "An urgency I did not often experience discomforted me" when it should've been discomfited. Ball room didn't need a space, either.
There were nowhere near the number of errors in this one as before, though, so I was happy to see that.
There were some real twists and surprises in this story, I must say ! It certainly kept me interested. I was just fascinated to learn that bees can be utilised to find explosives as well !! There were some very funny lines in it and the odd very heartwarming moments, too.
She did get a little repetitive in a couple of instances. We were told too many times that Genevieve hadn't seen the others for four months and about Angelique being uncomfortable around her for some reason we're yet to be told about. In this story Genevieve doesn't write down her Mozart lines but only imagines them and we weren't told why this had changed.
This sentence had a needless word added, "The rest she all deduced" and a few times she used the wrong word/tense....as in "The conversation was put on halt when Vinnie brought breakfast" when it should read on hold or was halted to make sense and again with "I can spill all kinds of secrets when a man as old-school and macho as you utter those two words" or "My muscles lost some of its tension" and "He look at the laptop." These should really have been spotted and corrected.
Words got dropped from sentences as well, ".....and I saw few interesting things" and "I'll email to you." She needs to pay attention too to what Genevieve says about using nouns as verbs as she did here, "An urgency I did not often experience discomforted me" when it should've been discomfited. Ball room didn't need a space, either.
There were nowhere near the number of errors in this one as before, though, so I was happy to see that.
August 27, 2024
i liked it but the novelty of the concept decreased. i appreciated the amount of francine’s appearances in the book but i missed phillip. he was very scarce here. the book doesn’t feel finished and i didn’t enjoy the reason for it. i feel like it could’ve been avoided easily.
loved manny in this book.
i liked the progress in romantic plot of the book but i wish it was more extensive.
loved manny in this book.
“Ms Lenard?” the deep voice asked from the doorway. It sounded like his voice was coming through a speaker.
“It’s Doctor Lenard to you,” Manny said before I could answer.”
“She’s Doctor Genevieve Lenard and she doesn’t shake hands,” Manny said, sounding proud.”
“Vinnie’s fierce look blasted right past the shields I had constructed to keep people out of my emotions, to protect myself. He leaned forward. “You’re our girl. My Jen-girl.”
Colin took my hand and pressed it against his chest. “They didn’t deserve you, Jenny. I don’t even think we deserve you.”
“For once I agree with these criminals, Doc.” Manny’s voice was gruff.”
“Manny ignored him and moved closer to inspect me. “Did he take advantage of you while you were vulnerable? Tell me and by God, I will arrest his thieving, criminal arse.”
“Manny,” I said reprovingly. “You can’t arrest Colin for kissing me.”
i liked the progress in romantic plot of the book but i wish it was more extensive.
“Colin put his hand gently on my clenched hands. I looked at him. His eyes and mouth showed all the nonverbal cues exhibited when talking to a loved one.”
“I, for one, am glad that they never managed to fix you.” Colin waited until I looked at him to see his smile before he spoke again. “I like you just the way you are.”
“After this case, I would speak to Phillip. He might know what I could do to make Colin smile more. Maybe he could recommend some books that I could read.”
“All of the shelved observations I had made about my behaviour towards Colin came together to form a conclusion. Something I was too scared to name.
“You know, right?” he asked softly.
I nodded again. There was no point in pretending that I didn’t understand what he was referring to. We had had an unstable start to our relationship, but even six months ago there had been a connection superseding simple friendship. The last few days had solidified a unique bond, something I never thought I would have. Something that I was completely unprepared for.”
January 13, 2018
Dr. Genevieve Lenard finds herself at the center of an art theft again, and again, her autism makes life challenging, especially when she finds herself having feelings for people. Along with her usual perplexities over idioms, she has to get inside people's feelings to determine what's happening.
I was afraid this book, like many second books, wouldn't be as good as the first one. I'm happy that I was wrong! This story is just as good, if not better than, the first one. Looking forward to reading book #3.
I was afraid this book, like many second books, wouldn't be as good as the first one. I'm happy that I was wrong! This story is just as good, if not better than, the first one. Looking forward to reading book #3.
February 20, 2018
DNF at about... 20%? Although I did skim to about 60%, at which point I am writing this blurb. May still skim the rest.
I don't know if it's because it's been waaay too long since I read the first book of this series, but I just never got into this second opus. If I had gotten used to Jenny's peculiarities, the way they came back to hit me in the face were too much too handle this time, and I never saw a plot line start to develop.
I don't know if it's because it's been waaay too long since I read the first book of this series, but I just never got into this second opus. If I had gotten used to Jenny's peculiarities, the way they came back to hit me in the face were too much too handle this time, and I never saw a plot line start to develop.
September 5, 2018
Another good Genevieve Lenard mystery. I really enjoy the MC, even with all her quirks. I'm so glad that she is breaking out of her shell and realizing people aren't all bad. I like all of her friends. They are each so different and yet very likable. I liked the mystery in this one. There were a lot of factors to keep straight to find who was doing it, but it made for a very good mystery. I definitely recommend this series and can't wait to read the next one.
September 10, 2020
3.5 stars rounding down. I enjoyed the Dante Connection better than the first book in the series. The first novel had a lot of repetitive internal dialogue and situations which thankfully the second book kept to a minimum (specifically all the males in Genevieve's life "posturing" against one another) . The plot moved along and the characters are growing on me (though there were a few sappy scenes of everyone loving on Genevieve in which the dialogue made me cringe).
July 7, 2018
After reading the first book n the series, I was anxious to read this one. However, I found some of the descriptions of Dr Genevieve Lenard’s “atypical neurology” repetitive and tedious. The story line was interesting and the character development was decent. I don’t feel that this second book was as good as the first but it was worth reading for the art and literature references.
March 1, 2021
Genevieve Lenard: 2
Set five months after the previous book, the people Genevieve let into her exclusive life have abandoned her only to show up suddenly, and cagey with their explanations. Feeling betrayed, she's eager to take the distraction when her boss gives her a new case to work on, with his old friend, Manfred Millard. As things start to happen though, it appears that her safety is once again in question, and all the disparate things are connected, possibly to the mastermind from the previous book. Once again, the villain has come up with a horribly convoluted plot that only our hero, Genevieve, can pierce through. Entertaining read if suspension of belief is rigorously maintained.
Set five months after the previous book, the people Genevieve let into her exclusive life have abandoned her only to show up suddenly, and cagey with their explanations. Feeling betrayed, she's eager to take the distraction when her boss gives her a new case to work on, with his old friend, Manfred Millard. As things start to happen though, it appears that her safety is once again in question, and all the disparate things are connected, possibly to the mastermind from the previous book. Once again, the villain has come up with a horribly convoluted plot that only our hero, Genevieve, can pierce through. Entertaining read if suspension of belief is rigorously maintained.
July 28, 2017
ASGUIASCUKASVCKUVAS
February 13, 2020
"Well-written"
What more can I say? It would have helped if I'd read the first book. There were so many references to the first book in the opening chapters I was bored. It's a different type of thriller, but it didn't have enough of a pull to convince me to read any more of the series.
What more can I say? It would have helped if I'd read the first book. There were so many references to the first book in the opening chapters I was bored. It's a different type of thriller, but it didn't have enough of a pull to convince me to read any more of the series.
January 21, 2021
Non-neurotypical psychologist Genevieve Lenard and her colleagues are caught up in an increasingly suspenseful and dangerous attempt at revenge in this cerebral thriller.
February 23, 2025
I read this in pieces, not straight through as is my custom because I felt this book needed to be savored. I do not like not reading straight through in a sitting, but the results were well worth it.
This book was even better than the first one, and a tremendous gift, both in the plot and storyline, and the graceful respect with with Dr. Lenard is pained as a human being. Being non-neurotypical myself, specifically being autistic, left me gratified at the authenticity with which Jenny was painted, I was both terrified at all the change she was forced by cicunstances to endure and thrilled by her blossoming as a person.
I am endevoring not to include spoilers while penning this review. The plot points and reccuring characters from the first book were most welcome, the flow of relationships and growth a gift, and the drama, intrigue, and suspense brilliant.
This book, and the one before are more that worth the time, energy, and money one might invest. Regardless of your neurotype, these books are incredible journeys to take. That our main character is autistic form me, make her some how more relatable, but I think it important to establish that she is a wonderful human being, doing the best she can, after being thrust into situations so outside of pretty much anyone's comfort range.
These books were, are, to my taste better than the Borne saga and jyst as packed with action, adventure, suspense, and glorius interaction between many different people including a truly foul psychopath. Having been married to one, I look forward to his eventual day of reaconing.
So well worth reading this, I eagerly anticipate the next installment in this series!
This book was even better than the first one, and a tremendous gift, both in the plot and storyline, and the graceful respect with with Dr. Lenard is pained as a human being. Being non-neurotypical myself, specifically being autistic, left me gratified at the authenticity with which Jenny was painted, I was both terrified at all the change she was forced by cicunstances to endure and thrilled by her blossoming as a person.
I am endevoring not to include spoilers while penning this review. The plot points and reccuring characters from the first book were most welcome, the flow of relationships and growth a gift, and the drama, intrigue, and suspense brilliant.
This book, and the one before are more that worth the time, energy, and money one might invest. Regardless of your neurotype, these books are incredible journeys to take. That our main character is autistic form me, make her some how more relatable, but I think it important to establish that she is a wonderful human being, doing the best she can, after being thrust into situations so outside of pretty much anyone's comfort range.
These books were, are, to my taste better than the Borne saga and jyst as packed with action, adventure, suspense, and glorius interaction between many different people including a truly foul psychopath. Having been married to one, I look forward to his eventual day of reaconing.
So well worth reading this, I eagerly anticipate the next installment in this series!
October 21, 2015
Well, that was... disappointing.
The first book had a very interesting premise. A high functioning autistic woman who works for an insurance firm investigates forgeries. It was well done, interesting and entertaining. I had wanted to read more.
This second book in the series has abandoned a fair chunk of that.
What got me most with this book is that the characters turned into the feel good brigade, I mean they could seriously have been in the Brady Bunch. "Don't go apologising for who you are, we love you for just who you are"... all the time. It was so frequent that it stood out and made me think "oh, here we go again". And then it just started getting over to the preachy side about how to work with "non-neurotypical" people.
I'm abandoning this series. 2.5/5 at most
The first book had a very interesting premise. A high functioning autistic woman who works for an insurance firm investigates forgeries. It was well done, interesting and entertaining. I had wanted to read more.
This second book in the series has abandoned a fair chunk of that.
What got me most with this book is that the characters turned into the feel good brigade, I mean they could seriously have been in the Brady Bunch. "Don't go apologising for who you are, we love you for just who you are"... all the time. It was so frequent that it stood out and made me think "oh, here we go again". And then it just started getting over to the preachy side about how to work with "non-neurotypical" people.
I'm abandoning this series. 2.5/5 at most
May 25, 2015
In the Dante Connection, Genevieve is feeling betrayed and rejected by Colin and Vinnie who have seemingly dropped off the face of the earth. She hasn't heard from them in months and have now idea why or where they are. As hard as it was for Genevieve to open up to people, this is harder yet to feel rejected by those who had become her friends.
Genevieve is once again facing danger from the dark part of the art world. Francine comes to her beaten and telling her she has killed two people. She asked Genevieve to call Colin. Surprisingly, he and Vinnie are there in just minutes.... considering they are in the apartment next door and have been for six months.
Genevieve must team up with Colin, Vinnie, Francine and Manny to find who wishes to kill Genevieve.
Great second book to this series.
Genevieve is once again facing danger from the dark part of the art world. Francine comes to her beaten and telling her she has killed two people. She asked Genevieve to call Colin. Surprisingly, he and Vinnie are there in just minutes.... considering they are in the apartment next door and have been for six months.
Genevieve must team up with Colin, Vinnie, Francine and Manny to find who wishes to kill Genevieve.
Great second book to this series.
November 20, 2015
Another fast-paced mystery with Dr. Lenard, an autistic expert in non-verbal communications. The small group of friends & colleagues from her last mystery appear to have abandoned her. As she struggles with the loss, they reappear and upset her equilibrium again. Their presence also signals a new plot by an old nemesis that targets Dr. Lenard. The story is interesting and keeps you guessing but I wondered after the first story how much longer the author could explore the difficulties an autistic person encounters daily. There were some new issues in this story. The number of people who surround Dr. Lenard and are not only understanding of her issues but solicitous of them seem a bit unbelievable to me.
August 25, 2016
This is the second in the utterly rubbish Genevieve Lenard series (and it will be the very last of her books I read - even though she's churned out many - too many! - more); apart from there being more activity such as bomb threats and people getting beaten up or injured, to be honest for the most part it felt like just reading the first book again. Most of the scenes and even quite specific dialogue and narration are just so interchangeable. The author has written many more books in this series and if they are all being written to a formula like this then clearly being able to quickly bash out more and more of these must be quite easy to do.
December 29, 2016
I didn't enjoy it as much as the first book in the series. I think it suffered in this case from its first person point of view. We could have used a bit of simple narrative to transition at times in filling us in on historical information. One would think with the time she had to get to know the other characters, there might have been a little more acceptance of the status quo.
The story was good and kept me turning pages, but I found Dr Lenard a bit more annoying in this book. I will try on another sometime.
The story was good and kept me turning pages, but I found Dr Lenard a bit more annoying in this book. I will try on another sometime.
October 13, 2018
These books (the 2 I have read so far) are fun, not because there's a great plot or even deeply drawn characters. I mean, it's kind of as the Scooby Doo crowd grew up, moved to Europe, had a ton of money and an interest in art and classical music. Everyone is intelligent and the best at what they do. Cartoonish for the sophisticated palate. And it's fairly formulaic. That said, the perspective of Genevieve is what makes these books. As if Saga from the Bridge were narrating. It's fascinating and surprisingly enjoyable. I'll keep reading the series.
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