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Genevieve Lenard #22
The Valadon Connection
Valuable masterpieces. Counterfeit goods. Extortion.
Dr. Genevieve Lenard is instantly wary when the First Lady of a European nation pleads for her help to find a missing woman. Convinced that her sister has been kidnapped, the First Lady trusts no one—not even her own husband, the President.
With the missing woman's health deteriorating rapidly, Genevieve and her team are racing against the clock. Yet as they delve deeper into the corporate environment surrounding the missing sister, they unravel a web of intrigue and hidden crimes, all strategically orchestrated to sway crucial legislation with devastating consequences.
Can Genevieve uncover the truth behind the sister's disappearance? Will they find the First Lady’s missing sister before it’s too late? Or will powerful enemies, determined to keep their secrets buried, stop Genevieve before she exposes a truth that could shatter the nation's foundations?
Dr. Genevieve Lenard is instantly wary when the First Lady of a European nation pleads for her help to find a missing woman. Convinced that her sister has been kidnapped, the First Lady trusts no one—not even her own husband, the President.
With the missing woman's health deteriorating rapidly, Genevieve and her team are racing against the clock. Yet as they delve deeper into the corporate environment surrounding the missing sister, they unravel a web of intrigue and hidden crimes, all strategically orchestrated to sway crucial legislation with devastating consequences.
Can Genevieve uncover the truth behind the sister's disappearance? Will they find the First Lady’s missing sister before it’s too late? Or will powerful enemies, determined to keep their secrets buried, stop Genevieve before she exposes a truth that could shatter the nation's foundations?
- GenresFiction
273 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 29, 2025
107 people are currently reading
39 people want to read
About the author
Estelle Ryan
33 books628 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 - 12 of 12 reviews
October 1, 2025
The Bulgarian president’s wife asks Genevieve and the team to help her find her sister, who’s been kidnapped and has Addison’s, so she’ll become ill and die in 24 hours without her medication.
She also doesn’t trust her husband, the president, who promised to stop corrupt businesspeople from forcibly taking over smaller businesses, but seems to be dealing with a top corrupt man.
In looking at the sister’s business, they learn she was being pressured, and a clothing factory owner’s employee has information, but she’s killed and the factory is bombed.
They also find out the women’s aunt was kidnapped and her home ransacked, and the aunt gives a clue by yelling “cat shit” into a hidden camera.
In the cat litter they find a usb key, and it’s full of all the mastermind, Dimitri’s Ivanov’s, activities. Meanwhile, the president is frantic about his missing wife, and admits he’s been working with the Bulgarian equivalent of the FBI to catch Ivanov, but he’s tired of the deception and just wants his wife and her family safe.
They determine where the women are being kept, and that cleverly, the president’s wife let herself be taken so she could give her sister her medicine.
Ivanovo escapes, but they catch a couple of his men, and there’s proof to put him away once he’s captured. With the information they have the president can also clean up all that’s been happening illegally in his country.
I like the Bulgarian backdrop, and the race to get to the sister, as well as the president’s undercover attempt.
She also doesn’t trust her husband, the president, who promised to stop corrupt businesspeople from forcibly taking over smaller businesses, but seems to be dealing with a top corrupt man.
In looking at the sister’s business, they learn she was being pressured, and a clothing factory owner’s employee has information, but she’s killed and the factory is bombed.
They also find out the women’s aunt was kidnapped and her home ransacked, and the aunt gives a clue by yelling “cat shit” into a hidden camera.
In the cat litter they find a usb key, and it’s full of all the mastermind, Dimitri’s Ivanov’s, activities. Meanwhile, the president is frantic about his missing wife, and admits he’s been working with the Bulgarian equivalent of the FBI to catch Ivanov, but he’s tired of the deception and just wants his wife and her family safe.
They determine where the women are being kept, and that cleverly, the president’s wife let herself be taken so she could give her sister her medicine.
Ivanovo escapes, but they catch a couple of his men, and there’s proof to put him away once he’s captured. With the information they have the president can also clean up all that’s been happening illegally in his country.
I like the Bulgarian backdrop, and the race to get to the sister, as well as the president’s undercover attempt.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 25, 2025
Once again, this series does not disappoint. Though, fair warning, this book is a bit shorter than usual. Colin has been invited to speak as an art expert but it's a sort of ploy to get him legitimately into the conference where he can be introduced to the wife of the president of Bulgaria. It seems that her sister has gone missing and she's not sure who she can trust -- not even her husband.
The draw with these books is definitely the interaction of the characters, who all care deeply for each other and for what is right. I suppose some might find it unrealistic in that sense, but I'm fine with it, even if it does occasionally come across as a bit preachy. The main plot wraps up nicely but there is clearly an ongoing issue which will likely be addressed in future books.
In short: I very much recommend the series; start at the beginning. I like them well enough that, even though they're not in Kindle Unlimited nor available in any of the 6 library systems I have access to, I will still buy them to read. None are more than $6 or $7 and well worth it.
The draw with these books is definitely the interaction of the characters, who all care deeply for each other and for what is right. I suppose some might find it unrealistic in that sense, but I'm fine with it, even if it does occasionally come across as a bit preachy. The main plot wraps up nicely but there is clearly an ongoing issue which will likely be addressed in future books.
In short: I very much recommend the series; start at the beginning. I like them well enough that, even though they're not in Kindle Unlimited nor available in any of the 6 library systems I have access to, I will still buy them to read. None are more than $6 or $7 and well worth it.
June 2, 2025
Who can you actually trust?
“To friends, family and integrity.”
And integrity seems to be the by-word here as Genevieve, Colin and most of the rest of the crew head to a European venue to help the President's wife figure out just who she can trust. It's not art this time but the government's believability that's at stake here. Using a Valdon painting and corralling Colin into giving a lecture on it is the situation used to lure the group in to help the First Lady find her sister and her aunt who have been captured to set the takeover in motion. Just who can you trust?
I have read virtually every one of the Genevieve Leonard books and currently author Estelle Ryan is a"go to author" as the characters are interesting and intelligent and believable. I highly recommend this series, but suggest you start with the first book to get the lay of the land so to speak.
Highly Recommended 5/5
“To friends, family and integrity.”
And integrity seems to be the by-word here as Genevieve, Colin and most of the rest of the crew head to a European venue to help the President's wife figure out just who she can trust. It's not art this time but the government's believability that's at stake here. Using a Valdon painting and corralling Colin into giving a lecture on it is the situation used to lure the group in to help the First Lady find her sister and her aunt who have been captured to set the takeover in motion. Just who can you trust?
I have read virtually every one of the Genevieve Leonard books and currently author Estelle Ryan is a"go to author" as the characters are interesting and intelligent and believable. I highly recommend this series, but suggest you start with the first book to get the lay of the land so to speak.
Highly Recommended 5/5
October 30, 2025
Another great read by Estelle Ryan! I enjoy her brand of mystery - exciting, contemporary and definitely entertaining. Having read all of the books in the series thus far, I am very interested in these characters and their many adventures. This book seems to have a bit less of the usual art inclusion that typically graces the pages, but nonetheless, it is still a superb read. The team is unofficially investigating a kidnapping and is racing against the clock to save the woman's life. Ms. Ryan is a talented writer who manages to include current, but sometimes complicated, topics in her novels with ease and understanding for the reader. The plot flows smoothly, settings are described in great detail, and her characters are very well-developed with distinct personalities. This is definitely a series that I could reread and enjoy.
May 4, 2025
The Valadon Connection is the 23rd book in the Genevieve Lenard series. As always, Estelle's writing is excellent. I knocked it down a star for the length and some missing aspects that I'm used to seeing from Estelle.
I do miss the longer book where Estelle had more about the artists and more of each characters' action, such as Genevieve's shut downs, Vinnie's cooking, and Francine's hacking. Also missing was the romance between the characters. Granted, it wasn't a large amount and very closed-door when it was there, but it added something to the characters.
In this chapter of Genevieve's life, the First Lady of a European nation asks the team to help find a missing woman. Genevieve, Colin, Vinnie, Francine, and the rest of the team fly to this country to solve the kidnapping.
I do miss the longer book where Estelle had more about the artists and more of each characters' action, such as Genevieve's shut downs, Vinnie's cooking, and Francine's hacking. Also missing was the romance between the characters. Granted, it wasn't a large amount and very closed-door when it was there, but it added something to the characters.
In this chapter of Genevieve's life, the First Lady of a European nation asks the team to help find a missing woman. Genevieve, Colin, Vinnie, Francine, and the rest of the team fly to this country to solve the kidnapping.
May 17, 2025
Another well done mystery. Estelle Ryan is really good at writing these mysteries that always have a fresh new feel to them. The characters never get old to me. The mysteries don’t feel repeated. Usually a fun new character or two, such as the Bulgarian cousins in this one. 😊
I’m still waiting for Colin’s backstory!! 😂
I’m still waiting for Colin’s backstory!! 😂
May 23, 2025
Just okay
Starting to get a little redundant. Get a case. Go to gorgeous mansion. Jen has a small meltdown. Solve case. Go back to their gorgeous estate. Need to get back to the excitement. Something with one of the major characters perhaps. I will,of course, continue to read. Too invested in their lives to stop now.
Starting to get a little redundant. Get a case. Go to gorgeous mansion. Jen has a small meltdown. Solve case. Go back to their gorgeous estate. Need to get back to the excitement. Something with one of the major characters perhaps. I will,of course, continue to read. Too invested in their lives to stop now.
September 13, 2025
The stories have become a bit ‘samey’ and to be honest this one wasn't that great and it only worked in patches due to some rank stupidity by several of the characters
If possible I would have given 2.5 stars
If possible I would have given 2.5 stars
May 6, 2025
Fun read
Does not disappoint. Not as character driven as some. They have expanded to quite the team. Read alone but you will want the others.
Does not disappoint. Not as character driven as some. They have expanded to quite the team. Read alone but you will want the others.
May 11, 2025
As always, a thrilling mystery. There were a few editing errors that a good proofreader should have found.
May 14, 2025
LOVE these books!!!
One of my all time favorite series!! Such interesting characters, action, adventure and wonderful storytelling!! I hope the series continues for years!!
One of my all time favorite series!! Such interesting characters, action, adventure and wonderful storytelling!! I hope the series continues for years!!
July 2, 2025
kept me interested the entire time!
I love this series! I love the characters and eagerly await the next one!
I hope there will be many more books by Ms Ryan.
I love this series! I love the characters and eagerly await the next one!
I hope there will be many more books by Ms Ryan.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews