The Art of Deception

by Elizabeth Ironside

Nicholas is content to live on his private income and dabble in art history. But when he rescues a beautiful, mysterious woman from a violent mugging, his life is transformed. A forged painting and terrifying encounter with the Russian mafia are only two of the elements in his nightmare.

Genres: Mystery, British Literature, Fiction

Paperback

First published May 31, 1999

About the author

Elizabeth Ironside is the pseudonym of Lady Catherine Manning, wife of the British Ambassador to the U.S. Her first novel won Britain’s John Creasey Award for Best First Mystery of 1985, and Death in the Garden was nominated for Britain’s CWA Gold Dagger for Best Mystery of 1995.

Reviews

[Shannon · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a two-plot story, bur there is hardly any interplay between the two, which is a shame, because the more interesting story line (at least IMO) is nearly dropped entirely in favor of the more complicated and, frankly, far less believable tale of a power play disguised as (several) love affairs! A 3-star rating is being generous, but it did keep me reading, so that must be what swayed the balance.

The promising premise of the discovery of an incorrectly attributed painting to the renowned Vermeer was set out in an intriguing way, with references to both traditional methods of authenticating as well as to modern forensic tests. I think if the book had pursued this part of the story in greater detail, it would have improved it immensely. Sadly, as the book wore on, it was allowed to sink into oblivion, with just a passing mention of the ensuing academic thunderbolt that it unleashed!
So, the bulk of the tale involves a hapless art historian, Nicholas, who is in the throes of an impending divorce when he witnesses a street knifing of a stunning woman who lives in his apartment building. The woman, Julian, recovers but remains mysterious through-out the whole book. She has ties to the Russian Mafia and her character comes across as being Russian, although she is supposedly middle-class British having been born and raised prosaically in suburban England!
There is a wildly inconceivable scene which takes place at a villa just outside Moscow where our hero, Nicholas, is kidnapped and imprisoned! While some parts of the book are thrilleresque, it is mostly a wandering slog, meandering through a lot of shifting realities, none of which are ever really confirmed or denied. The ending especially is lacking in conviction. I suppose the author was going for a shock, but it was definitely just a footnote to an inconclusive tale.

[Géraldine · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is one of those windows into peoples lives which give one the feeling that within everyone is a dark side, a vulnerable side, and a weak persona. I gave it a 3 because I thought it lacked a strong climax and seemed to be lacking strong ending until the very end. I am glad I read it. It made me think about how the things evolved and how what one sees isn't exactly what is. It is one of those books you wonder later if you misunderstood it and you go back and reread it. Something you can't do in life. It is a twisted tale, one I'd recommend for fun reading. I read it through in a few days before bed..didn't want to put it down. The story between a bad girl, or a victim, and a naive professor is saucy and in the end, you really still don't know. And that is what makes the book so good. You only realize it is good, at the very end.

[Taegan · Rating 1 out of 5]

I'm not moving through this one super fast...and I keep debating on whether I like the story enough to continue. It is sort of bizarre & the moral character/choices of the characters are not totally likeable...so I don't feel very endeared to them.

I'll probably finish it anyway but...I wouldn't necessarily recommend you pick up.

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I finished this today (02.14). It took much longer for the story to unravel than I cared for. And the end was really unsatisfying. Made trudging through the story totally not worth it.

[Susan · Rating 3 out of 5]

The questions that this book ask are about truth. What is it? How can we know it? Nicholas Ochterlonie, a sometimes art historian in London questions the attribution of a famous Vermeer portrait. At the same time he becomes involved with a woman, Julian Bennet, who seems to be threatened by the Russian mob. The book shows how evidence is gradually accumulated that seems to reveal the truth. Or does it? The unfolding of both mysteries is fascinating with some interesting details on the world of art detection.

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

One of the more unusual mysteries I have ever read. I did NOT expect the ending (and Elizabeth Ironside truly threw in a twist at the very last sentence) and I enjoyed knowing from the beginning that the details were all going to be laid out for the reader to solve (which I didn't). The story was odd and intriguing yet at times boring. But, the ending made it all seemed far more exciting.

[Margaret · Rating 2 out of 5]

It dragged in a few places, and while the end is supposed to be a twist/cause you to question the rest of the book, it was not compelling enough to re-read to find clues to answer. She is deft with evoking a time and place/class in London.

[Noel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Art and murder and our perception of both, what more could you want?

[Whitney Ostrander]

The books has it's highs and lows. Part of the book was hard to read through but other than that it was a good book. I'm not sure yet if I'd buy it.

[Carol · Rating 3 out of 5]

Just wasn't as interested in the Russian Mafia backstory, and the middle part of the book was on the slow side. I still like this mystery writer, though...

[Anita · Rating 3 out of 5]

I thought the book moved slow at times. and some of the writing/spelling was odd to me. ie..connexion? for connection
but it had a great twist at the end, so I'm glad I stayed with it.

[Margaret]

Finished this one, but barely. I just wasn't worth my interest.

[Charlotte · Rating 3 out of 5]

The characters are not fully believable, but the mystery is fun to unravel, the story moves along nicely, and all in all it's an enjoyable read. Also, the art history bits are fun.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

I REALLY enjoyed this book- especially the unexpected twist at the end!

[Jayne Ekins · Rating 2 out of 5]

2-1/2 stars.
The enduring question I take away from this is, "Is physical attraction really that strong of a force? Do people really do these things just based on physical attraction?"

[Mary Lee · Rating 3 out of 5]

Now that was a surprise!