What do you think?
Rate this book
Genevieve Lenard #18
The Gentileschi Connection
Forged masterpieces. A failed assassination. The metaverse.
In the heart of the Austrian Alps, Doctor Genevieve Lenard and her team are drawn into a web of danger and deception when a former colleague urgently requests their expertise. Tasked with locating an elusive assassin who narrowly failed to eliminate a powerful tech mogul, Genevieve quickly realises that this case is anything but straightforward.
As they delve into the life of the accused, the team find themselves navigating a labyrinth of conspiracies targeting influential figures. The chilling clues they uncover could either thwart impending tragedy or lead them into even greater danger.
With time running out, Genevieve survives a harrowing attack, forcing her to find answers in places that will push her exceptional neurodiverse mind to its absolute limit.
In the heart of the Austrian Alps, Doctor Genevieve Lenard and her team are drawn into a web of danger and deception when a former colleague urgently requests their expertise. Tasked with locating an elusive assassin who narrowly failed to eliminate a powerful tech mogul, Genevieve quickly realises that this case is anything but straightforward.
As they delve into the life of the accused, the team find themselves navigating a labyrinth of conspiracies targeting influential figures. The chilling clues they uncover could either thwart impending tragedy or lead them into even greater danger.
With time running out, Genevieve survives a harrowing attack, forcing her to find answers in places that will push her exceptional neurodiverse mind to its absolute limit.
354 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 29, 2024
199 people are currently reading
54 people want to read
About the author
Estelle Ryan
32 books627 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.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 45 reviews
October 2, 2024
These books dazzle me
“Doing your thing means taking note of things us normal mortals don’t usually see.”
In the 12 years Dr.Genevieve Lenard has been with her team this book introduces them to Francine's world of computers whether they want to or not.vAbd I'm not going to spoil it for anyone either.
In the 18th book in this fascinating series, Dr. Genevieve Lenard and her team enter the world of computer augmentation. I am completely amazed at how much information author Estelle Ryan lays before the reader in each story but this one taught me more about computers than I ever knew before. Highly Recommended 5/5
“Doing your thing means taking note of things us normal mortals don’t usually see.”
In the 12 years Dr.Genevieve Lenard has been with her team this book introduces them to Francine's world of computers whether they want to or not.vAbd I'm not going to spoil it for anyone either.
In the 18th book in this fascinating series, Dr. Genevieve Lenard and her team enter the world of computer augmentation. I am completely amazed at how much information author Estelle Ryan lays before the reader in each story but this one taught me more about computers than I ever knew before. Highly Recommended 5/5
September 30, 2024
There are few authors that I would automatically preorder from …
… Estelle Ryan is one of them.
Filled with brilliant storylines, endearing characters, indefatigable research, and absolutely mesmerizing villains, Ryan’s books never fail to grip their readers. By now, at book eighteen in the series, each new adventure is an opportunity to spend time with old and dear friends. And meet a few new ones. Gentileschi introduces us to a couple of humours ones that I hope we get to see again.
The story here is uncanny in how appropriate it is for the times, and showcases the painstaking research we’ve come to expect from a Ryan novel. So topical that it’s scary.
But don’t let that stop you; like the whole Connection series, Gentileschi is a page turner. I guarantee it will be a book you won’t put down till the very last page!
… Estelle Ryan is one of them.
Filled with brilliant storylines, endearing characters, indefatigable research, and absolutely mesmerizing villains, Ryan’s books never fail to grip their readers. By now, at book eighteen in the series, each new adventure is an opportunity to spend time with old and dear friends. And meet a few new ones. Gentileschi introduces us to a couple of humours ones that I hope we get to see again.
The story here is uncanny in how appropriate it is for the times, and showcases the painstaking research we’ve come to expect from a Ryan novel. So topical that it’s scary.
But don’t let that stop you; like the whole Connection series, Gentileschi is a page turner. I guarantee it will be a book you won’t put down till the very last page!
December 15, 2024
An old friend of Manny’s, Fritz, comes to the team with a strange mystery. Someone stole some Gentileschi paintings from a gallery, and his PlayStation was hacked into with some weird stuff put in.
Colin concludes the thief might be a woman based on the theme of the paintings, and other hints due to a symbol they keep coming across linking an image of an Incan god to the perpetrator.
Further investigation leads them to one dead man after another, and an attempted car run over gone wrong that also isn’t what it looks like.
Francine and Pink help them find secrets on two IronKeys, USBs that are virtually uncrackable, that they crack. They learn of a virtual space this female vigilante holds meetings in with female victims of male discrimination or abuse, and she plots her revenge there in a secret part of the metaverse.
The owner of this metaverse lets the team in, and the virtual evil woman warns them just as the real building goes on fire.
They escape, then find out she’s the sister of a man being locked in her house, who was the one trying to save, not kill, the man in the run over case. He lets them know his sister, Yvonne, is going to have her final revenge at a metaverse convention, and the team race there to stop her.
They find her hidden away just as she hacks into the entire convention and robs all the men, but gets herself killed in the process. Mistakenly, Genevieve is also shot, but she’s wearing her bulletproof vest to help with her stimming, so she’s all right physically.
A very cool metaverse story with lots of tech explained better than I did in the story. I like Fritz, Manny’s friend, and the half brother who clues them into Yvonne’s plan.
It’s also interesting to hear the good the killer was trying to do, and see that she was on the right track, but became mad in her fury and destroyed people unfairly.
Such inventive crimes and satisfying endings, with room for more adventures to come.
Colin concludes the thief might be a woman based on the theme of the paintings, and other hints due to a symbol they keep coming across linking an image of an Incan god to the perpetrator.
Further investigation leads them to one dead man after another, and an attempted car run over gone wrong that also isn’t what it looks like.
Francine and Pink help them find secrets on two IronKeys, USBs that are virtually uncrackable, that they crack. They learn of a virtual space this female vigilante holds meetings in with female victims of male discrimination or abuse, and she plots her revenge there in a secret part of the metaverse.
The owner of this metaverse lets the team in, and the virtual evil woman warns them just as the real building goes on fire.
They escape, then find out she’s the sister of a man being locked in her house, who was the one trying to save, not kill, the man in the run over case. He lets them know his sister, Yvonne, is going to have her final revenge at a metaverse convention, and the team race there to stop her.
They find her hidden away just as she hacks into the entire convention and robs all the men, but gets herself killed in the process. Mistakenly, Genevieve is also shot, but she’s wearing her bulletproof vest to help with her stimming, so she’s all right physically.
A very cool metaverse story with lots of tech explained better than I did in the story. I like Fritz, Manny’s friend, and the half brother who clues them into Yvonne’s plan.
It’s also interesting to hear the good the killer was trying to do, and see that she was on the right track, but became mad in her fury and destroyed people unfairly.
Such inventive crimes and satisfying endings, with room for more adventures to come.
April 5, 2025
*Sigh*
I liked the ending, but yikes, what a journey getting there.
I used to read these books voraciously, but it's getting harder & harder to get through them.
[SEMI-SPOILER]
It's like everyone has become a caricature of themselves...
Genevieve used to be this fascinating character with a mastery of nonverbal communication, now she's practically psychic 🙄 The author makes it seem like Genevieve can look at someone's face and tell them what they had for dinner on the 3rd Thursday of April 1999. It's getting silly.
Manny is now the British Yosemite Sam. Everything he says is "bloody, bleeding, blah blah blah." It's stupid.
Francine is like a 30-something year old child. She's supposed to be one of the best hackers in the world, but the author makes her sound like a 12 year old talking to her friends at the mall. So dumb.
Vinnie, the author can't really choose a background for this character, so she's made him not-quite American(?) with an Italian family that hits every stereo-type of an Italian family that the author could rip off from movies & TV. He's incredibly one-dimensional, he cooks, he's big, and he has a gun.
Colin, he also used to be a really fascinating character, but pretty much all he does now is go on endlessly about art and really has no purpose now except being Genevieve's anchor.
I guess it's hard to keep a story interesting after so many books, but I miss the days when the group would intelligently use their skills to solve complex crimes. Now it's just the gang stopping some rando's ridiculous revenge plot over & over and conveniently getting "there" with just a few minutes to spare.
I liked the ending, but yikes, what a journey getting there.
I used to read these books voraciously, but it's getting harder & harder to get through them.
[SEMI-SPOILER]
It's like everyone has become a caricature of themselves...
Genevieve used to be this fascinating character with a mastery of nonverbal communication, now she's practically psychic 🙄 The author makes it seem like Genevieve can look at someone's face and tell them what they had for dinner on the 3rd Thursday of April 1999. It's getting silly.
Manny is now the British Yosemite Sam. Everything he says is "bloody, bleeding, blah blah blah." It's stupid.
Francine is like a 30-something year old child. She's supposed to be one of the best hackers in the world, but the author makes her sound like a 12 year old talking to her friends at the mall. So dumb.
Vinnie, the author can't really choose a background for this character, so she's made him not-quite American(?) with an Italian family that hits every stereo-type of an Italian family that the author could rip off from movies & TV. He's incredibly one-dimensional, he cooks, he's big, and he has a gun.
Colin, he also used to be a really fascinating character, but pretty much all he does now is go on endlessly about art and really has no purpose now except being Genevieve's anchor.
I guess it's hard to keep a story interesting after so many books, but I miss the days when the group would intelligently use their skills to solve complex crimes. Now it's just the gang stopping some rando's ridiculous revenge plot over & over and conveniently getting "there" with just a few minutes to spare.
November 5, 2024
Another excellent entry in this series -- one of my favorites. Sadly, they are not in Kindle Unlimited or in any of my library systems. Fortunately, they are reasonably priced and well worth the money as they are all good reads.
In this one, Genevieve and team are called by a former colleague of Col Millard to get to the bottom of an apparent hit and run attempt. When they arrive in Austria, he further informs them that his playstation has been hacked, and he suspects his emails as well. So this investigation falls more on the shoulders of Francine and Pink though, as will all in this series, there is still an art connection, and Genevieve's skill at reading people is critical.
Sometimes, the plots are a little tough to follow as they deal with fairly esoteric situations. That could be the case here as they're dealing with metaverses and metaspaces and complex hacking and programming. But this time she manages to keep the explanations mostly pretty understandable while not getting too bogged down in technical jargon.
Overall an enjoyable read and a fairly quick one. Looking forward to Book 19 at the end of this month.
In this one, Genevieve and team are called by a former colleague of Col Millard to get to the bottom of an apparent hit and run attempt. When they arrive in Austria, he further informs them that his playstation has been hacked, and he suspects his emails as well. So this investigation falls more on the shoulders of Francine and Pink though, as will all in this series, there is still an art connection, and Genevieve's skill at reading people is critical.
Sometimes, the plots are a little tough to follow as they deal with fairly esoteric situations. That could be the case here as they're dealing with metaverses and metaspaces and complex hacking and programming. But this time she manages to keep the explanations mostly pretty understandable while not getting too bogged down in technical jargon.
Overall an enjoyable read and a fairly quick one. Looking forward to Book 19 at the end of this month.
October 21, 2024
Estelle Ryan is just such a wonderful author. The wat she takes se sensitive people or topics people and weave them so lovingly into her art crime mysteries is truly beautiful.
Genevieve is on the autistic spectrum, she is brilliant, and I get teary eyed every time she realizes just how lucky she is to have a circle of unconditional love and support around her. We all need friends like that who are considerate, caring and supportive of each other’s struggles.
My favorite quote from this book: ““My life has not been easy and is still a daily challenge. But I don’t focus on the negatives in my past—not the people or the events. I’ve chosen to learn from those experiences to make better choices in the future.”
Genevieve is on the autistic spectrum, she is brilliant, and I get teary eyed every time she realizes just how lucky she is to have a circle of unconditional love and support around her. We all need friends like that who are considerate, caring and supportive of each other’s struggles.
My favorite quote from this book: ““My life has not been easy and is still a daily challenge. But I don’t focus on the negatives in my past—not the people or the events. I’ve chosen to learn from those experiences to make better choices in the future.”
November 1, 2024
I have all of Estelle Ryan's books. She is a wonderfful writer. The first Genevieve Lenard book is free on Kindle and I am so glad that I found it. Since then I pre-order the books in the series as soon as they are available. The characters are unforgettable. And, in every book I have learned something new: about art, non-verbal communication, money trafficing, 3-d printers, the dark net, drones, smart houses, etc. Getting a new Estelle Ryan book, and waiting for the next book, is a true pleasure.
December 29, 2024
Captivating as always
A new case. A new enemy. A mind deranged by profound trauma. But now, we are playing in a virtual world where the players are real, but the surroundings are not. Artwork is appearing in all the virtual worlds despite not being placed there by it's creators... can Francine and Pink hack the hacker?
Lives are on the line, including Doctor G's... it's a big case, including the biggest innovators in crypto currency and the metaverse itself, but can they break the clues in time to stop the ultimate revenge from taking place?
A new case. A new enemy. A mind deranged by profound trauma. But now, we are playing in a virtual world where the players are real, but the surroundings are not. Artwork is appearing in all the virtual worlds despite not being placed there by it's creators... can Francine and Pink hack the hacker?
Lives are on the line, including Doctor G's... it's a big case, including the biggest innovators in crypto currency and the metaverse itself, but can they break the clues in time to stop the ultimate revenge from taking place?
January 24, 2025
I absolutely love the adventures of Dr. Genevieve Lenard, Colin, Vinny, Manny, Francine and the rest of the team! The cases are always exciting and definitely include plenty of twists to keep the reader engaged. In this installment, we are immersed in the world of computer augmentation and the metaverse. Author Estelle Ryan expertly guides even novice readers through the technical aspects to create an interesting reading experience. I love the interaction between the characters; not only do we have exciting elements from the mysteries that they are intent on solving, but we become invested in the characters' personal lives as well.
February 10, 2025
I don’t understand why Francine has to “baby-talk”. The baby talk is a “dumb blonde” thing (I think) and it just doesn’t fit with the rest of her, her beauty, her intelligence, etc.
It’s the most annoying part of the entire book and I find it distracting.
That said, I don’t find the subject (of the metaverse) interesting. I am, however, compelled to read all of Ms Ryan’s Genevieve series. Considering this is #18 and one of the few I haven’t really enjoyed I will still look forward to the next in the series.
It’s the most annoying part of the entire book and I find it distracting.
That said, I don’t find the subject (of the metaverse) interesting. I am, however, compelled to read all of Ms Ryan’s Genevieve series. Considering this is #18 and one of the few I haven’t really enjoyed I will still look forward to the next in the series.
November 9, 2025
There is nothing to say about this series that I haven't already said.
The fact that I read this book in six days would normally indicate that it was a quick read, but I think part of the reason is the number of chapters that were followed by a blank page. Why would a publisher do that?
I love these characters, I love how descriptive the language is both of each area and the action as it happens. The dialogue is well-written. This is one of my favorite series and I thoroughly enjoy reading each book.
The fact that I read this book in six days would normally indicate that it was a quick read, but I think part of the reason is the number of chapters that were followed by a blank page. Why would a publisher do that?
I love these characters, I love how descriptive the language is both of each area and the action as it happens. The dialogue is well-written. This is one of my favorite series and I thoroughly enjoy reading each book.
October 1, 2024
Incredible detail
With every new Genevieve Lenard book, I learn. I've listened to Mozart compositions, looked up artists I'd previously never heard of before, and discovered details about history. Recent books have focused on the ever evolving digital world. The amount of research that Estelle Ryan must undertake before writing is enormous. Yet, she pulls all the components together into a interesting adventure. Ms Ryan, please keep them coming.
With every new Genevieve Lenard book, I learn. I've listened to Mozart compositions, looked up artists I'd previously never heard of before, and discovered details about history. Recent books have focused on the ever evolving digital world. The amount of research that Estelle Ryan must undertake before writing is enormous. Yet, she pulls all the components together into a interesting adventure. Ms Ryan, please keep them coming.
March 23, 2025
This one wasn't as action packed as I'm used to, but it was educational on the artist chosen and on Genevieve's stimming behavior. I loved how Estelle dealt with the trauma they had been through at the end and included getting mental health counseling as positive instead of a weakness. I love how Estelle handled the topic of abused women in society, including the main advisary. I love this group of characters so much!
October 11, 2024
Absolutely love this series!
Sometimes you just want to read a book to escape…without pondering too deeply on thematic elements. I’ve read every one of the titles in this series and, at book 18, I’m still loving the character development, global settings, art history, and the unique perspectives of neurodivergence! (And getting that “all is well” feeling at the end.)
Sometimes you just want to read a book to escape…without pondering too deeply on thematic elements. I’ve read every one of the titles in this series and, at book 18, I’m still loving the character development, global settings, art history, and the unique perspectives of neurodivergence! (And getting that “all is well” feeling at the end.)
October 15, 2024
Exciting suspense thriller!
Another engrossing Genevieve Lenard thriller! The author weaves together a fascinating art crime thriller at the same time explaining art, history, and giving us an overview of the metaverse. Her characters are complex and diverse which adds to the richness of the story. I'm already looking forward to the next entry!
Another engrossing Genevieve Lenard thriller! The author weaves together a fascinating art crime thriller at the same time explaining art, history, and giving us an overview of the metaverse. Her characters are complex and diverse which adds to the richness of the story. I'm already looking forward to the next entry!
October 23, 2024
Fantastic
This visit with Genevieve and company was an amazing mix of 17th century artists and 21st century tech, with some very timely themes. Genevieve has grown so much in the years since this series began, and her family interactions add a warmth and light to a tightly drawn mystery thriller. I loved this installment and cannot wait until the next adventure.
This visit with Genevieve and company was an amazing mix of 17th century artists and 21st century tech, with some very timely themes. Genevieve has grown so much in the years since this series began, and her family interactions add a warmth and light to a tightly drawn mystery thriller. I loved this installment and cannot wait until the next adventure.
October 25, 2024
Exceptionally unique
As with all the other Genevieve books , Estelle manages to bring the neurodiverse persecution in Crystal lights, offering us all the opportunity to be heroes and live to our strengths. As always the storyline is current ,;almost precurrent ,
and offers me a foot into areas I know nothing about but now yearn to know more. Can't wait for the next one.
As with all the other Genevieve books , Estelle manages to bring the neurodiverse persecution in Crystal lights, offering us all the opportunity to be heroes and live to our strengths. As always the storyline is current ,;almost precurrent ,
and offers me a foot into areas I know nothing about but now yearn to know more. Can't wait for the next one.
November 5, 2024
Manny is my nifty hero
As much as I love all the characters and the way this family formed and continues growing, I am lost to the technology that forms so much of this story. I drift and hope for a part I can understand to put it all together. I always look forward to new adventures, even if I struggle through parts of it.
As much as I love all the characters and the way this family formed and continues growing, I am lost to the technology that forms so much of this story. I drift and hope for a part I can understand to put it all together. I always look forward to new adventures, even if I struggle through parts of it.
October 20, 2025
Another great ArtCrimes mystery from Ms. Ryan!
I’ve been reading the Genevieve Lenard series for years, and this one did not disappoint! I love the intensity of these books, the art tie-ins, the page turning drama. Will always recommend this series, and that they are red in order.
I’ve been reading the Genevieve Lenard series for years, and this one did not disappoint! I love the intensity of these books, the art tie-ins, the page turning drama. Will always recommend this series, and that they are red in order.
September 29, 2024
She always gets 5 stars
Genevieve and her team are asked to help an old colleague of Manny. At first it appears to be an art theft and a hit and run. However that quickly becomes much more involved .
Genevieve and her team are asked to help an old colleague of Manny. At first it appears to be an art theft and a hit and run. However that quickly becomes much more involved .
September 30, 2024
Genevieve and her team head to the Alps and are tasked with locating an assassin hiding in the metaverse. I devoured this book in less than a day - great characters, an intriguing plot, and enough twists and turns to keep you guessing until the end.
September 30, 2024
Fantastic!
Estelle Ryan is one of the best novelists writing today! And the Genevieve Leonard books are one of my favorite reads. The writing is descriptive, crisp and engaging. The characters are nicely developed and multidimensional. Such a joy!! I can't wait for the next book.
Estelle Ryan is one of the best novelists writing today! And the Genevieve Leonard books are one of my favorite reads. The writing is descriptive, crisp and engaging. The characters are nicely developed and multidimensional. Such a joy!! I can't wait for the next book.
September 30, 2024
Another brilliant episode!
The wonderful extended family are back in another great adventure around Innsbruck. Paintings stolen and forged, virtual reality and hacking, a crazed mastermind seeking revenge. And a few surprises along the way :-)
The wonderful extended family are back in another great adventure around Innsbruck. Paintings stolen and forged, virtual reality and hacking, a crazed mastermind seeking revenge. And a few surprises along the way :-)
October 20, 2024
I've read them all
I have now read all of the books Estelle Ryan has published to date and I love them all! This book was no exception. I especially love that I still can't predict how the story will unfold, and love how the characters continue to grow.
I have now read all of the books Estelle Ryan has published to date and I love them all! This book was no exception. I especially love that I still can't predict how the story will unfold, and love how the characters continue to grow.
October 27, 2024
another great one!
I love Genevieve and the whole gang! I have such a hard time waiting for the next one! The intertwine of characters old and new is always wonderful! Until next time Doc G!
I love Genevieve and the whole gang! I have such a hard time waiting for the next one! The intertwine of characters old and new is always wonderful! Until next time Doc G!
November 7, 2024
Every book is better than the previous one
I learned so much reading this and enjoyed every word. Plus it's worth a deep dive into Gentileschi's paintings, they are amazing.
The plot moved quickly and well up to the denoument.
Highly recommend
I learned so much reading this and enjoyed every word. Plus it's worth a deep dive into Gentileschi's paintings, they are amazing.
The plot moved quickly and well up to the denoument.
Highly recommend
November 12, 2024
So good
I patiently wait for each Genevieve book because I know each one will be awesome. Estelle Ryan has a beautiful way of entwining the art world with an outstanding mystery. Each book is worth waiting for.
I patiently wait for each Genevieve book because I know each one will be awesome. Estelle Ryan has a beautiful way of entwining the art world with an outstanding mystery. Each book is worth waiting for.
November 13, 2024
Love these books!
Can’t wait for the next one in the series. As a tech novice some of the story was a bit hard to follow - metaverse, NFTs and such… but I learned so much along the way!
Can’t wait for the next one in the series. As a tech novice some of the story was a bit hard to follow - metaverse, NFTs and such… but I learned so much along the way!
December 1, 2024
Overall I enjoyed the book, but wasn’t as happy with Genevieve’s role in the story. There was a lot about her problems, but very little about her analytical skills. Also I found the investigation a bit muddled, although that might just be my annoyance at the metaverse stuff.
January 16, 2025
Another winner!!!
Ms. Ryan never disappoints. Wether it's art art based, about terrorism or the electronic universe, her stories are always believable, detailed, and intricately woven. Bravo!!!
Ms. Ryan never disappoints. Wether it's art art based, about terrorism or the electronic universe, her stories are always believable, detailed, and intricately woven. Bravo!!!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 45 reviews