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Genevieve Lenard #17

The Matejko Connection

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Copied masterpieces. Mediaeval obsession. Ruthless revenge.

After months of reaching frustrating dead end after dead end, Doctor Genevieve Lenard and her team finally have a location for the enigmatic criminal who controls the Camorra through fear.

Mondi is a vicious criminal who has taken over the Mafia drug trade in Italy, yet he's traced to an unexpected location in Central Europe.

The moment they set foot in the same city as Mondi, their cybersecurity is compromised. And this is just the beginning of a relentless onslaught. They soon realise Mondi would stop at nothing to carry out the revenge he's been meticulously planning for the last two years.

The more Genevieve delves into Mondi's world, the more she realises that her usual methods of solving cases are inadequate. It will take more than she knows, more than she can contribute to stop this man who has turned into a monster. The stakes have never been this high.

220 pages, Kindle Edition

First published April 28, 2024

103 people are currently reading
71 people want to read

About the author

Estelle Ryan

31 books625 followers
Estelle 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.

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5 stars
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181 (27%)
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews
Profile Image for Roxx Tarantini.
574 reviews4 followers
April 30, 2024
Ryan outdoes herself ...

... with each subsequent "episode" in this outstanding series!

Over the course of the years between discovering the first four of Ryan's Connection series, to this latest entry - number seventeen - her characters have become like old friends. Each visit awaited anxiously, everything dropped so as to enjoy each moment of time spent with them, and the sense of loss when the last page is turned and the waiting begins anew.

As I search for fitting words to describe Matejko, fiendishly diabolical comes to mind. The meticulous research that goes into each book is astonishing, but not at all surprising. Ryan invests much of herself into each plot. I once asked her how she slept after some of the scenarios she writes. Her reply, "Lots of puppy and kitten videos."

I love Genevieve, and the team she surrounds herself with. The understanding and compassion with which Ryan writes this neurodivergent character and her growth from an insulated loner, to a renowned investigator who has built a family along with her career are, I think, a large part of the many reasons that I await each new book so avidly. And why, no sooner did it arrive on my Kindle, I sat down and read it. All.

You'll love it, promise!
17 reviews1 follower
May 6, 2024
Another great read with Genevieve, Colin, Vinnie, Manny, Francine, and the regular cast of characters. The pacing was good, the characters were well-developed (as always), and just the right amount of suspense. Can't wait for installment 18.
Profile Image for Markay C..
Author 1 book
May 7, 2024
Another good story...

i hardly ever submit reviews and, but this book compels me to offer my 2¢. I've read all the books in this series, so am familiar with the characters and author Ryan's sty!e of writing. I like all of the characters EXCEPT colonel Millard because he is more one dimensional than anything. His dialogue is quite offensive and repetitive as it's limited to swearing and berating the other characters. I can understand the need/reason for an irascible, contrary character, but Millard is over the top. The reader sees no or little humanity in him because his response to others words and actions is only to bloody bark at them. Author Ryan could do his character a favor by putting him in a situation that humbles him and causes him to reflect on his responses and perception of things. As it is, I don't feel his comments help to move the stories forward.
8 reviews
March 6, 2025
Much Better than Book 16!

I love this series, but with the last one (Book 16, The Namatjira Connection) being almost unbearable, I was afraid I was going to have to say goodbye to the Genevieve Lenard stories for good.

This one was much better, though it's really getting to be ridiculous that the character of Manny's vocabulary has been reduced to " Bloody hell!" (or "bloody" everything) "Hellfire!," "Bleeding blazes," and "Doc!" Or that Manny can't seem to communicate without shouting/ being mildly insulting.
In The Namatjira Connection, the plot and storyline were so thin that the author chose to fill the pages with long (so freaking long!) insufferable ramblings about Albert Namatjira, the history of the Camora, and the history of Naples. While I have always appreciated the factual or historical tidbits the author includes in the stories, book 16 was overkill.
This time, the information provided was back on par with what I was used to. Instead of burying the story with historical word vomit, the author again used facts to enhance the plot, giving the reader enough to spark interest but not so much that it got boring.

While I still strongly believe that Estelle Ryan needs to 1. get the character of Manny sorted - make him an intelligent investigator again and not some tea drinking British caricature! 2. rein in Genevieve’s non-verbal abilities (she's a scholar in non-verbal communication, not one of the x-men) 3. keep factual/ historical information concise but engaging, I'm happy to say that I'm still invested, and I can't wait to read the next book. 🙂
Profile Image for Pontiki.
2,514 reviews9 followers
May 2, 2024
Madman or clever psychopath

Mondi has eluded the team until Francine tracks him down in Poland. They have help from GROM, and Kamila guides them to the place Mondi was staying. There they find copies of murals by Matejko, with a jester added in, and the initials JS.

Slowly they uncover information that leads them to the university, where a professor in medieval history worked, whose nickname was Mondi.

They visit his wife and talk to his grown kids, all of whom worry his mental health may have led him to doing something terrible. He broke after the eldest son died, and vowed to go after a psychologist who helped him, whose initials are JS.

They also find a basement fentanyl storage and production area in the basement of the house Mondi was living in after Vinnie and a couple of other people are affected by the powder released into the air of the lair.

They locate Jola S, and she’s afraid, but wants to attend a conference in Poland. She travels with security, but the team find papers in Mondi’s office indicating he has a plan to release fentanyl into the air at a war re-enactment event where Jola’s conference is.

They see Mondi, in a crazed state and wearing a jester costume, trying to distribute fentanyl-filled balloons, and intercept his attempt to explode them and release the powder.

A close call and a conclusion to this evil person’s reign over the drug world that reached far and wide.

Another fantastic adventure, with ever expanding team members and partners, and new helpers all over Europe.
Profile Image for Amanda Jane.
1,337 reviews9 followers
May 13, 2024
Unusually no artwork was reclaimed...

... however, the work of Matejko was still a prevalent and important part of one person's madness.

A plan to kill ten's of thousands so dastardly that it's only just discovered in time. Genivieve is still fighting her way through her shutdowns and by focusing on her ever increasing "framily" successful in managing to remain aware and able to hold onto her consciousness where lives depend upon it.

Chasing Mondi, the elusive person who appeared to be controlling the drug flow to Italy through the Camora, following the death of Vinnie's cousin, it's Francine who finally tracks Mondi to an IP address in Poland.

Gathered together as always, Genivieve, Colin, Vinnie, and Daniel drive from Strasbourg while Manny, Francine, and Pink fly ahead. Faced with an apartment covered internally with murals of Matejko's famous works done with incredible skill they've got their work cut out to find the oddities, the smallest of differences, between these murals and the original works and limited time to try and piece these into the puzzle of just who is Mondi and what is motivating them...

Attempts to kill our intrepid team won't stop them they'll see this through until the bitter and sad end.

As usual, Ryan excels at captivating her audience, holding her readers fluttering on a line before reeling them ever faster towards the ultimate conclusion... I can't wait for more.
Profile Image for Ann.
1,714 reviews
May 28, 2024
This is one of those series that I always buy. Partly it's because it's neither in Kindle Unlimited nor published by a major publisher so doesn't appear in the public library either. Fortunately, they are modestly priced at $6.99 (thought the first in the series is currently free) and, frankly, worth every penny.

In this most recent entry, Genevieve and the gang are off to Poland to track down the dangerous "Mondi" who they've learned is pulling the strings behind the international drug trade. But, worse, Mondi also seems bent on some major demonstration of his power. It's all the more a puzzle as he's only been a player for a few years. Where did he come from? And why now? And what's he really trying to do?

The plot was easier to follow than some but no less enjoyable. As usual the story is related through Genevieve's eyes so there are frequent asides where she notes how strange 'neurotypical' people behave. And her skill at reading faces ensures that the people they must work with really are trustworthy -- or, if not, at least they know that as well. There were a handful of typos but nothing too egregious. And I learned about the polish artist Matejko, about whom I knew nothing.
Profile Image for Jill.
462 reviews
May 11, 2024
Truly great fiction!!

Estelle Ryan never fails to please! Another fascinating, exciting, and interesting adventure with Genevieve and friends. Once again, the gang has faced a seemingly impossible situation and, in the nick of time, protected thousands of innocent people from a horrible situation. I love that Ms. Ryan's books contain plausible scenarios and realistic characters and are filled with complicated twists that keep me guessing as to the eventual outcome. I trust that Genevieve and company will solve the crime and save the day, and I truly enjoy the rollercoaster of a ride to get to the end of the adventure. I also appreciate the apparent behind-the-scenes research that Ms. Ryan obviously conducts for each book. Without that, her storylines wouldn't fall so seamlessly into place with tons of layers and details for the reader to uncover while reading. Her skills as a storyteller and mystery writer continue to astound me with each successive installment. I anxiously await the next adventure!
Profile Image for Grace Rose.
16 reviews
May 1, 2024
Another hit for Estelle Ryan

Ms. Ryan’s Genevieve Lenard “… Connection” series is so engaging and at the same time informative. Each book, including this latest, offers a chance to learn something about amazing artists and their art (with images posted on Ms. Ryan’s website), and about the mental processes and inner world of a neurodiverse woman, all while spinning a story I didn’t want to put down. In this book, we also get to gain some insights about Poland and its history and modern day culture, again all while the story carries us along. Recommend!
Profile Image for Judy.
3,374 reviews30 followers
May 12, 2024
This is #17 in the Genevieve Lenard series. Here the team is in Poland tracking down a super villain type named Mondi (first mentioned in #16). The "family" has grown again, but Genevieve is learning to tolerate the noise level and activity, at least within reason. The process of tracking down this particular person is pretty convoluted and includes art, computer, and opera expertise. The books in this series are pretty quick reads since they are usually under 300 pages, but I like the characters and the convoluted plots.
Profile Image for anna.
1,055 reviews11 followers
September 6, 2025
It was okay, but I think I need another break from this series.

Colin is definitely my favorite character. I love how much he appreciates Genevieve and how mindful he is of her.
“I sat down and did a double-take at the expression on Colin’s face. I narrowed my eyes. ‘What?’
He leaned closer. ‘You are the most generous, kind, amazing human I’ve ever met. I’m so lucky to be walking next to you in this life.’
It took a few moments for me to formulate a response. I moved in closer until our lips almost touched. ‘I love you too.’”

24 reviews1 follower
May 17, 2024
I love everything about this series

Seriously, this is one of my favorite series, it has everything — the characters feel like family, the locations and descriptions are like a beautiful travelogue (in the best possible way), and the stories have me completely involved. I am entertained, enthralled and educated. Genevieve and her found family serve up some of my favorite fiction. Cannot wait until the next one.
Profile Image for Serena.
277 reviews4 followers
April 13, 2025
After so many other books in this series making my heart race and leaving me gasping because I was unaware that I was holding my breath, this was a very light and easy read for me. There are lots of plot twists. Several times I thought I had figured things out only to keep reading and discover that I was wrong. It is great when the team is able to work together to solve these crimes and keep potentially catastrophic things from happening.
212 reviews1 follower
April 30, 2024
Non-stop Action

How does Estelle Ryan do it? Book after book, each one filled with thrilling adventure. Each one focusing on the work of one artist. I downloaded this book and spent the day reading it. As usual, there were times when I held my breath, afraid that this time Genevieve and her team would fail. I highly recommend this series.
238 reviews5 followers
May 2, 2024
Always Complex

I do enjoy the art and the travelogue but most of all the unique main character. She is surrounded by a group of teammates who have their own diverse and unique personalities and talents. The connection to one another which helps them solve significant crimes always has a bit of humour.
Profile Image for Sherree Bennett.
94 reviews1 follower
May 6, 2024
love this series!

I love Jen-girl and the whole gang! My how it continues to grow. I love that it stretches both the neurotypical and neurodiverse to learn and accept beyond their original comfort zone. To be stretched and appreciate it! Already waiting for their next adventure!!
29 reviews1 follower
May 7, 2024
Great as always

Its good to see Genevieve transitioning from being alone and aloof to someone who has a family and its growing in each book.
They have now gone to Poland to look for the person responsible for taking over the Camorra mafia group in Italy. They work through a lot of clues before bringing than down.
158 reviews2 followers
May 8, 2024
The team gather again!

As the troubles in Italy recede into the background, Genevive and co. They follow the trail to Poland in their hunt for the mastermind behind the takeover of the Camorra. Gen startles herself and the team when she gets directly involved in the showdown!

I tried to read it slowly, but it was just not possible 😁
5 reviews
October 5, 2024
Always exciting and current.

From the first Genevieve Lenard book I read I became hooked on this amazing neurodivergent character. All that she’s learned to deal with and over come to do her job is something everyone should read.
Estelle Ryan has created a character that grows with each writing and I hope she never stops.
24 reviews
January 14, 2025
Always excellent!!!

Estelle Ryan's books are masterpieces. Her ability to create and develop the main characters is nothing short of amazing. Having read all her books to date ( own and will read up thru #19), and reading how the characters have changed/developed is great reading. So good!!!
Profile Image for Anne.
350 reviews5 followers
April 12, 2025
Although I enjoyed this book, I’m concerned that this series is becoming formulaic. There’s always the hunt for a mega-villain who is planning some devastating event, and the team catches him or her just in the nick of time. I’d like to see a return—at least a temporary one—to the world of the earlier books in the series, in Phillip Rousseau’s insurance agency.
163 reviews2 followers
May 9, 2024
Amazingly intriguing!!!
The formation of family is always at the heart of these mysteries. The mystery itself takes second chair to the tendrils of love tying these people together!!! Love all the books!!! Yes, you'll hold your breath a lot, the suspense is chest tightening!!! Enjoy!!!
704 reviews
May 26, 2024
I still think this series would make a great tv show! It was fun to travel to Poland and learn a bit in this installation. This villain was pretty unstable which made for a very exciting, suspenseful ending. It’s amazing how fresh and new Estelle can make these stories after so many installations!
728 reviews1 follower
June 3, 2024
Always lots of action

Always lots of action. Enjoyable returning characters, very different interesting plots. This is a series and I would recommend a new reader start from the beginning of the series.
Profile Image for Nikki.
335 reviews4 followers
August 9, 2024
Enjoyed this book. For me, it was not my favorite of the series and left me with many questions about the conflicting behaviors behind the "villain" Mondi that were left unanswered. But glad they wrapped that case and can move on to the next!!!!
17 reviews
September 21, 2024
Does not disappoint!

If you haven’t read all of this series, please do. Each can be read as a stand alone but reading the in order works best as the characters are added slowly and relationships develop gradually…. My only complaint is they end all too soon.
Profile Image for Teresa.
2,356 reviews1 follower
April 30, 2024
Another fantastic book in this series! Such wonderful characters and exciting mysteries.
4 reviews
May 2, 2024
Genevieve and crew save the day!

Excellent as always. I love seeing Genevieve evolve and grow into a stronger individual using her perceived weaknesses as her greatest strengths.
Profile Image for Annemorris57.
28 reviews
May 14, 2024
Absolutely brilliant, as usual! I couldn’t put it down. Thank you for another fantastic read, Estelle Ryan.
129 reviews4 followers
May 18, 2024
I love these characters!

I always look for these books and get them when a new one comes out. I'm never disappointed. The characters are all so cool!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews

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