What do you think?
Rate this book
The Devil's Madonna: A Novel
Pregnant with her first child and a recent convert to Judaism, artist Kali Miller at last understands the joy of being part of a loving family. But Kali must put her cosseted life on hold to care for her 93-year-old non-Jewish grandmother who has inexplicably lit dozens of sacred Yahrzeit Memorial candles throughout her decaying Miami Beach home, almost burning it down. Kali probes her enigmatic grandmother Lillian for an explanation and information about her roots, but Lillian becomes increasingly paranoid.
She believes that someone from her past has found her and a painting she has hidden for over 70 years. A painting Lillian associates with her inadvertent role in one of the most horrendous episodes in history. Plagued with nightmares, guilt, and terrifying memories of her life in 1930s Berlin, Lillian reveals cryptic details to Kali. But only when Kali discovers her grandmother’s secrets in the old house’s hidden rooms does the full truth finally emerge. A truth that, if exposed, will have devastating consequences for Kali, her unborn child, and perhaps even the world.
She believes that someone from her past has found her and a painting she has hidden for over 70 years. A painting Lillian associates with her inadvertent role in one of the most horrendous episodes in history. Plagued with nightmares, guilt, and terrifying memories of her life in 1930s Berlin, Lillian reveals cryptic details to Kali. But only when Kali discovers her grandmother’s secrets in the old house’s hidden rooms does the full truth finally emerge. A truth that, if exposed, will have devastating consequences for Kali, her unborn child, and perhaps even the world.
Audible Audio
First published September 4, 2012
20 people are currently reading
311 people want to read
About the author
Sharon Potts
13 books47 followersSharon Potts is the award-winning, critically acclaimed author of five psychological thrillers, including In Their Blood—winner of the Benjamin Franklin Award and recipient of a starred review in Publishers Weekly. A former CPA, corporate executive, and entrepreneur, Sharon has served as treasurer of the national board of Mystery Writers of America, as well as president of that organization’s Florida chapter. She has also co-chaired SleuthFest, a national writers’ conference. Sharon lives in Miami Beach with her husband and a spirited Australian shepherd named Gidget.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews
September 8, 2012
Sharon Potts just keeps getting better. I, too, am an author, and Sharon and I are in the same critique group, and believe me, this is not a puff review of friend's book. If I didn't love the book, I wouldn't review it. But I read parts of this novel as Sharon was writing it, so I already knew and admired how daring, controversial and original the concept was.
Well, this book is even better than I anticipated. I read it through in one sitting, and now, several days later, I am still thinking about Kali, the main character. I am haunted by her terror and the final secret that is revealed in this fascinating look at free will and the origin of evil.
Over time, it has become more and more difficult for me to enjoy books and to lose myself in a story. Not so here. From the moment Neil Rabin went jogging down that dark street, saw the flames climbing those lace curtains, and then rescued Kali's 93-year-old grandmother, Lillian Campbell, I was immersed in this tale about a young pregnant woman, an artist, who is searching to discover the details of her own family history that she will now pass on to her child. The novel transported me to the 1930's, and I loved the scenes in the coffee shops and on the streets of Berlin, when the younger and more naive "Lillian" walked into the arms that would soon threaten her and her family for generations to come.
From the lush language, to the riveting suspense, to the chilling questions about genetic predisposition, guilt, innocence, and forgiveness, Sharon Potts' latest novel, The Devil's Madonna is a book that lingers long after you've turned the last page. There isn't any higher recommendation than that.
Well, this book is even better than I anticipated. I read it through in one sitting, and now, several days later, I am still thinking about Kali, the main character. I am haunted by her terror and the final secret that is revealed in this fascinating look at free will and the origin of evil.
Over time, it has become more and more difficult for me to enjoy books and to lose myself in a story. Not so here. From the moment Neil Rabin went jogging down that dark street, saw the flames climbing those lace curtains, and then rescued Kali's 93-year-old grandmother, Lillian Campbell, I was immersed in this tale about a young pregnant woman, an artist, who is searching to discover the details of her own family history that she will now pass on to her child. The novel transported me to the 1930's, and I loved the scenes in the coffee shops and on the streets of Berlin, when the younger and more naive "Lillian" walked into the arms that would soon threaten her and her family for generations to come.
From the lush language, to the riveting suspense, to the chilling questions about genetic predisposition, guilt, innocence, and forgiveness, Sharon Potts' latest novel, The Devil's Madonna is a book that lingers long after you've turned the last page. There isn't any higher recommendation than that.
June 2, 2012
A truly riveting and gripping novel, especially for those who remember the pre-World War II era and the War-or for those who have an interest in that era, but a great story for any reader who loves suspense (tons of it), thrills, convoluted plot lines, secrets, characters with something to hide, and threats to the characters.
Freelance children’s illustrator and artist Kali is pregnant with her first child. Married to Seth Miller, a man of Jewish extraction, and raised without religious beliefs herself, Kali converted to Judaism upon her marriage. Orphaned when her mother was killed in a car accident, Kali grew to adulthood in her secretive maternal grandmother’s home. About all she knows of her grandmother is that she was originally Austrian, and married an American. Kali’s late mother was also an artist, but had to hide her art from her own mother. Unbeknownst to Kali’s mother Dorothy during her life and to Kali, Lilian has much to hide, and her secrets begin in November 1938, less than a year before Germany invaded Poland and Britain declared war.
It’s common to speak of a page-a-minute thriller, but this novel truly is one. I couldn’t put it aside, and I know readers won’t either. Buy this one and settle in to read in peace-and be thankful for that peace.
Freelance children’s illustrator and artist Kali is pregnant with her first child. Married to Seth Miller, a man of Jewish extraction, and raised without religious beliefs herself, Kali converted to Judaism upon her marriage. Orphaned when her mother was killed in a car accident, Kali grew to adulthood in her secretive maternal grandmother’s home. About all she knows of her grandmother is that she was originally Austrian, and married an American. Kali’s late mother was also an artist, but had to hide her art from her own mother. Unbeknownst to Kali’s mother Dorothy during her life and to Kali, Lilian has much to hide, and her secrets begin in November 1938, less than a year before Germany invaded Poland and Britain declared war.
It’s common to speak of a page-a-minute thriller, but this novel truly is one. I couldn’t put it aside, and I know readers won’t either. Buy this one and settle in to read in peace-and be thankful for that peace.
September 19, 2012
The Devil's Madonna is impossible to set aside. I received the book yesterday at about five in the afternoon and finished it by two this morning. It was a thrilling, fast-paced read which unraveled an utterly shocking twist as the book came to an end. Great read!
I won this book on goodreads first reads giveaway.
SPOILER BELOW:
Sharon, thank you so much for not giving making a stereotypical ending with Neil. I was so relieved.
I won this book on goodreads first reads giveaway.
SPOILER BELOW:
Sharon, thank you so much for not giving making a stereotypical ending with Neil. I was so relieved.
September 18, 2012
This was an enjoyable little thriller. The plot became more compelling when an interesting unspeakable truth was realised.
August 19, 2025
At long last, a novel that is a page-turner in every sense of the word. This one was the 'unputdownable' we always keep hearing about. The plot offered a delicious surprise at every step of the way.
Kali, a young artist, is expecting her first child with her husband Seth Miller. Happy and contented both in the marriage as well as her work as an artist, there is nevertheless an emptiness within her heart as she aches to know more about her family’s heritage and history. The loss of her parents and grandfather at a young age and the reluctance of her 93-year-old grandmother Lillian Campbell, her only living relative, to share any information about the past have always left her nursing a sense of loss and disconnection. She therefore eagerly embraces Judaism, her husband’s faith, in an attempt to restore to herself the sense of belonging that she has never felt.
When Lillian lights dozens of sacred Yahrzeit Memorial candles, the traditional Jewish symbol of repentance, and nearly burns down the house and endangers herself, Kali becomes aware of the increasing paranoia that is consuming her grandmother. She realizes that the elderly woman is in thrall of some fear associated with something unsavoury in her past. When her in-laws and husband hint that Lillian may have been repenting for some misdeed to do with the Holocaust, Kali defends her grandmother strongly.
Assuming the role of a caregiver to her grandmother, Kali becomes aware of Lillian’s fears for her own life and for Kali and her unborn child. Her attempts to question Lillian drive the older woman into a world of nightmares. Kali is unsure if the fears are an effect of Lillian’s illness and the onset of dementia, or if something sinister is afoot.
Meanwhile concern for her grandmother and the reappearance of an old childhood friend, Neil, drive a wedge between Kali and Seth. And the dangerous games being planned and played out by geriatric specialist Javier Guzmann portend a realisation of Lillian’s greatest fears. Kali’s attempts to search her grandmother’s house lead her to a small painting. The final revelation of the horrible secret that has tortured Lillian all her life exposes Kali and her unborn baby in turn to the danger that her grandmother has feared all her life.
We, as readers, are able to piece together the details of Lillian’s mysterious past in Berlin in the 1930s through her senile mutterings and the dream-like memories of her befuddled mind. Through these ravings, it becomes clear to us, but not to Kali, that she is desperately trying to hide from something or someone. Someone who knew her at a time when she was Lili Lenz, a 20-year-old actress in Germany. Someone who has waited for many decades for the opportunity to trace her whereabouts and destroy her.
As readers, we feel torn between our knowledge of the nefariousness of Guzmann’s intentions and our inability to protect Kali, who is not only vulnerable, by virtue of her pregnancy, but also in immediate danger.
I found the writing of this book very fluid. Potts has shown herself a master at building atmosphere and creating tension. As Kali’s support structures begin to fall back all around, one gets a terrifying sense of the walls closing in on the vulnerable Kali.
The only false note in the narrative was sounded when Javier Guzmann got into flashback mode and looked back on himself as an 11-year-old boy bullied at school. While Potts succeeded in painting Guzmann as a menacing and dangerous man, I could not quite get a grip on why he should have sought to make his father’s desperate struggles his own. His own attempts to win over his estranged son were another subplot that wasn’t tied up well.
I must also admit that at first I was slightly disappointed to learn that there would be no happy ending for Kali, that, bereft of all her support systems, she would have no choice but to fight her life-and-death battle alone. But as I read on, I was glad that Potts had chosen a not-quite-perfect ending. It was a reminder to me that in the real world, love does not always conquer all, and that the wounds borne by millions of people during the Holocaust would most certainly have been too poignant to have been set aside like a cloak.
The strong characterization of Kali was tremendously appealing. Incidentally, the young lead is named after Kali, the Hindu goddess of destruction and empowerment, or shakti. As a woman, I felt pleased to see how Kali took the responsibility of her own safety and that of her child in her own hands, without forcing herself to depend on any man.
The title is a brilliant coup, the significance of which made itself evident only once the heroine was thrust into the biggest crisis of her life. I would heartily recommend this to everyone.
Kali, a young artist, is expecting her first child with her husband Seth Miller. Happy and contented both in the marriage as well as her work as an artist, there is nevertheless an emptiness within her heart as she aches to know more about her family’s heritage and history. The loss of her parents and grandfather at a young age and the reluctance of her 93-year-old grandmother Lillian Campbell, her only living relative, to share any information about the past have always left her nursing a sense of loss and disconnection. She therefore eagerly embraces Judaism, her husband’s faith, in an attempt to restore to herself the sense of belonging that she has never felt.
When Lillian lights dozens of sacred Yahrzeit Memorial candles, the traditional Jewish symbol of repentance, and nearly burns down the house and endangers herself, Kali becomes aware of the increasing paranoia that is consuming her grandmother. She realizes that the elderly woman is in thrall of some fear associated with something unsavoury in her past. When her in-laws and husband hint that Lillian may have been repenting for some misdeed to do with the Holocaust, Kali defends her grandmother strongly.
Assuming the role of a caregiver to her grandmother, Kali becomes aware of Lillian’s fears for her own life and for Kali and her unborn child. Her attempts to question Lillian drive the older woman into a world of nightmares. Kali is unsure if the fears are an effect of Lillian’s illness and the onset of dementia, or if something sinister is afoot.
Meanwhile concern for her grandmother and the reappearance of an old childhood friend, Neil, drive a wedge between Kali and Seth. And the dangerous games being planned and played out by geriatric specialist Javier Guzmann portend a realisation of Lillian’s greatest fears. Kali’s attempts to search her grandmother’s house lead her to a small painting. The final revelation of the horrible secret that has tortured Lillian all her life exposes Kali and her unborn baby in turn to the danger that her grandmother has feared all her life.
We, as readers, are able to piece together the details of Lillian’s mysterious past in Berlin in the 1930s through her senile mutterings and the dream-like memories of her befuddled mind. Through these ravings, it becomes clear to us, but not to Kali, that she is desperately trying to hide from something or someone. Someone who knew her at a time when she was Lili Lenz, a 20-year-old actress in Germany. Someone who has waited for many decades for the opportunity to trace her whereabouts and destroy her.
As readers, we feel torn between our knowledge of the nefariousness of Guzmann’s intentions and our inability to protect Kali, who is not only vulnerable, by virtue of her pregnancy, but also in immediate danger.
I found the writing of this book very fluid. Potts has shown herself a master at building atmosphere and creating tension. As Kali’s support structures begin to fall back all around, one gets a terrifying sense of the walls closing in on the vulnerable Kali.
The only false note in the narrative was sounded when Javier Guzmann got into flashback mode and looked back on himself as an 11-year-old boy bullied at school. While Potts succeeded in painting Guzmann as a menacing and dangerous man, I could not quite get a grip on why he should have sought to make his father’s desperate struggles his own. His own attempts to win over his estranged son were another subplot that wasn’t tied up well.
I must also admit that at first I was slightly disappointed to learn that there would be no happy ending for Kali, that, bereft of all her support systems, she would have no choice but to fight her life-and-death battle alone. But as I read on, I was glad that Potts had chosen a not-quite-perfect ending. It was a reminder to me that in the real world, love does not always conquer all, and that the wounds borne by millions of people during the Holocaust would most certainly have been too poignant to have been set aside like a cloak.
The strong characterization of Kali was tremendously appealing. Incidentally, the young lead is named after Kali, the Hindu goddess of destruction and empowerment, or shakti. As a woman, I felt pleased to see how Kali took the responsibility of her own safety and that of her child in her own hands, without forcing herself to depend on any man.
The title is a brilliant coup, the significance of which made itself evident only once the heroine was thrust into the biggest crisis of her life. I would heartily recommend this to everyone.
June 13, 2016
TW: Rape, Stalking, Racism
Won a paperback ARC copy from Popcorn Reads years ago. (Holy shit, was it really almost 4 years ago now?!?!)
It wasn’t that bad. Easy to keep reading it but wasn't good or satisfying. There was plenty of drama to keep going and hoping it’d get better. It didn’t get worse. Except the ending. Ugh.
Won a paperback ARC copy from Popcorn Reads years ago. (Holy shit, was it really almost 4 years ago now?!?!)
It wasn’t that bad. Easy to keep reading it but wasn't good or satisfying. There was plenty of drama to keep going and hoping it’d get better. It didn’t get worse. Except the ending. Ugh.
December 22, 2017
The characters were interesting, and I enjoyed the story up to the end. I’m not sure the way it end was really very good. It left to many unanswered questions.
May 4, 2016
This is very tough to review without giving spoilers. I am going to give spoilers. I don't know how not to give spoilers!
Basically, this is about Hitler's great-granddaughter, that does not know she is Hitler's great-granddaughter. Her grandmother even hid the fact that they were Jewish since she left during WWII after Hitler raped her, found out she was Jewish, and sent his lackey after her when she ran out of his apartment. Of course she got pregnant, married an American man willing to help hide all of this, and came to the United States. She was distant to her daughter, and now granddaughter, all of these years so that she could protect them from whomever may be chasing them (of course someone is chasing them, the lackey's Neo-Nazi son).
The Neo-Nazi Son (Javier) wants the great-granddaughter's unborn baby to continue the reign of Hitler in this day and age since she carries his blood. The great-granddaughter finds out her husband is gay, and turns to her long-lost friend/boyfriend next door. Except when he finds out she is related to Hitler, he leaves her too. Then her grandmother dies at Javier's hand. Then Javier tries to get her. She stabs him with a safety pin in the eye and sics a dog on him and he dies. There's some painting involved in all this that ties it together because Hitler signed it with his blood and they can prove the great-granddaughter is his.
Wowza. Okay, so this came off a bit more soap opera murder mystery than I would have liked, especially since the content is about the Holocaust. It was rather predictable (I thought Seth would die somehow to get rid of the husband, not that he was gay, but it served the same purpose). I had a lot of questions throughout the story. Javier switching his thoughts on Nazism from a bar room conversation made zero sense, and was Hitler disguised as Atwulf the entire time and she didn't know the beard was fake? Or that he was in disguise? With that little mustache? So. confusing.
Overall an entertaining read (which is odd, since it's about the HOLOCAUST) and it has a different feel than I would have expected, but it's a page turner nonetheless and was worth the read.
Basically, this is about Hitler's great-granddaughter, that does not know she is Hitler's great-granddaughter. Her grandmother even hid the fact that they were Jewish since she left during WWII after Hitler raped her, found out she was Jewish, and sent his lackey after her when she ran out of his apartment. Of course she got pregnant, married an American man willing to help hide all of this, and came to the United States. She was distant to her daughter, and now granddaughter, all of these years so that she could protect them from whomever may be chasing them (of course someone is chasing them, the lackey's Neo-Nazi son).
The Neo-Nazi Son (Javier) wants the great-granddaughter's unborn baby to continue the reign of Hitler in this day and age since she carries his blood. The great-granddaughter finds out her husband is gay, and turns to her long-lost friend/boyfriend next door. Except when he finds out she is related to Hitler, he leaves her too. Then her grandmother dies at Javier's hand. Then Javier tries to get her. She stabs him with a safety pin in the eye and sics a dog on him and he dies. There's some painting involved in all this that ties it together because Hitler signed it with his blood and they can prove the great-granddaughter is his.
Wowza. Okay, so this came off a bit more soap opera murder mystery than I would have liked, especially since the content is about the Holocaust. It was rather predictable (I thought Seth would die somehow to get rid of the husband, not that he was gay, but it served the same purpose). I had a lot of questions throughout the story. Javier switching his thoughts on Nazism from a bar room conversation made zero sense, and was Hitler disguised as Atwulf the entire time and she didn't know the beard was fake? Or that he was in disguise? With that little mustache? So. confusing.
Overall an entertaining read (which is odd, since it's about the HOLOCAUST) and it has a different feel than I would have expected, but it's a page turner nonetheless and was worth the read.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 9, 2012
Talk about an engrossing book. With every secret that is revealed within THE DEVIL'S MADONNA the sense of eeriness increases and my respect for Kali grows.
Kali is a modern day woman who is looking forward to the birth of her unborn child. She has found the family that she felt she never had in her inlaws but she feels like an imposter because she keeps getting the niggling feeling that her own family history isn't complete. But as she uncovers secrets about both her family, she also discovers disturbing truths about her marriage. And the punches keep coming from both within and without. And she discovers her own strength.
I very much enjoyed this book and felt that the pacing was perfect with just the right edge to keep me turning the pages faster and faster. That is until the ending. It felt rushed as though the author had ran up against her page limit. This was a disappointing twist to a book that I otherwise would have rated higher.
I do recommend THE DEVIL'S MADONNA to readers that enjoy a suspenseful book filled with family secrets that cry out to be uncovered. I rate this book a 3.1.
*** I received this book at no charge from NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions expressed within are my own.
Kali is a modern day woman who is looking forward to the birth of her unborn child. She has found the family that she felt she never had in her inlaws but she feels like an imposter because she keeps getting the niggling feeling that her own family history isn't complete. But as she uncovers secrets about both her family, she also discovers disturbing truths about her marriage. And the punches keep coming from both within and without. And she discovers her own strength.
I very much enjoyed this book and felt that the pacing was perfect with just the right edge to keep me turning the pages faster and faster. That is until the ending. It felt rushed as though the author had ran up against her page limit. This was a disappointing twist to a book that I otherwise would have rated higher.
I do recommend THE DEVIL'S MADONNA to readers that enjoy a suspenseful book filled with family secrets that cry out to be uncovered. I rate this book a 3.1.
*** I received this book at no charge from NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions expressed within are my own.
December 11, 2012
I picked up Sharon Potts' THE DEVIL'S MADONNA without knowing anything about it, other than the fact her first book, In Their Blood, was highly acclaimed. From the opening chapter, I was engulfed in the story and its characters. This is a book that has twists and turns in each chapter and will have you turning pages rapidly to find out what happens next.
Potts expertly weaves two stories together; one of Leli, a young Jewish girl trying to survive in Berlin in the 1930's, and one of Leli's granddaughter in present day Miami Beach trying to discover her ailing grandmother's secrets. The flashbacks and two stories are handled flawlessly and each story, while dependent on the other, is distinct and intriguing. This is a well-thoughtout, perfectly-crafted thriller.
There is a depth to this book that isn't always present in thrillers. Potts tackles the horror of the Holocaust, what it means to be Jewish today. It is a thought-provoking book long after you've read the final page.
I LOVED this book and will seek out Potts' other books to read next.
Victoria Allman
author of: SEAsoned: A Chef's Journey with Her Captain
Potts expertly weaves two stories together; one of Leli, a young Jewish girl trying to survive in Berlin in the 1930's, and one of Leli's granddaughter in present day Miami Beach trying to discover her ailing grandmother's secrets. The flashbacks and two stories are handled flawlessly and each story, while dependent on the other, is distinct and intriguing. This is a well-thoughtout, perfectly-crafted thriller.
There is a depth to this book that isn't always present in thrillers. Potts tackles the horror of the Holocaust, what it means to be Jewish today. It is a thought-provoking book long after you've read the final page.
I LOVED this book and will seek out Potts' other books to read next.
Victoria Allman
author of: SEAsoned: A Chef's Journey with Her Captain
November 26, 2012
Kali Miller went to live with her grandmother after her mother is killed in a car accident, but they were never close. Now Kali is married and pregnant. Her in-laws are encouraging her to dig into her family’s past. Her grandmother, Lillian Campbell, married a banker and came to Florida when she was young. She refuses to talk about her life before then. Kali understands that the war was going on when she left Europe and like many people, those times were not happy memories.
Still her grandmother is ninety-three and if Kali is to ever learn her family history, it should be soon. When Lillian almost burns down her home, Kali goes to nurse her through her convalescence. Lillian’s refusal to talk is as adamant as ever and when Kali pushes, Lillian’s paranoia worsens. She is sure she and Kali are in danger. Someone from her past is still stalking her all these years later.
Slowly, Lillian’s story comes out. Lillian’s secret will affect Kali more than she would ever believe. The plot is tense, disturbing and creepy.
Still her grandmother is ninety-three and if Kali is to ever learn her family history, it should be soon. When Lillian almost burns down her home, Kali goes to nurse her through her convalescence. Lillian’s refusal to talk is as adamant as ever and when Kali pushes, Lillian’s paranoia worsens. She is sure she and Kali are in danger. Someone from her past is still stalking her all these years later.
Slowly, Lillian’s story comes out. Lillian’s secret will affect Kali more than she would ever believe. The plot is tense, disturbing and creepy.
February 1, 2013
I was lucky enough to receive a copy of The Devil's Madonna through Goodreads. I wasn't sure what to expect with this book, but what I got was a thrilling tale that grabbed my attention from the beginning and never let go. I found this book very hard to put down. Potts weaves an interesting web of past and present doing a great job at peeling away the layers of the story and her characters. At first Kali seems to have the perfect life with a husband and baby on the way. That all changes when her grandmother is hurt and secrets threaten to come out. Kali's search for her family roots occurs just as a madman is looking for her grandmother. I liked how Potts made the grandmother seem cold at first but actually Kali's grandmother was trying her best to protect her. The book is full of a lot of twists and turns with a shocking ending. Overall Potts delivers a thrilling story that is chilling and heartfelt at the same time.
October 29, 2012
I had given this book five stars. I read it in a day and a half. I literally could not put it down. Without spoiling it for others that is all I can write about the final twists (yes, twists, plural) and ending of this book. The five-star book became a three-star in the blink of an eye! The Devil's Madonna has everything - a bit of historical fiction, great character development, a family mystery, fast paced, etc. The glitch, however is "the twist". I saw it coming, kinda, but did not want to believe the author would go thru with it. I will look for other books written by this author.
August 16, 2013
The Devil's Madonna was a compelling read. I couldn't put it down, if only to know the secrets that Lillian seemed to take forever to disclose.
All the men, except for Harry were in some way detestable. Seth was pitiful and I detested him from the start. Neil disappointed me. Don't get me wrong, I understood his reaction, but he like so many people had conditions on their love.
Being the offspring of someone so evil and insane is unfathomable. I am I hope a big enough person to accept someone for who they and not their ancestry.
Read the book for yourself and search your heart, you may or may not like what you see.
All the men, except for Harry were in some way detestable. Seth was pitiful and I detested him from the start. Neil disappointed me. Don't get me wrong, I understood his reaction, but he like so many people had conditions on their love.
Being the offspring of someone so evil and insane is unfathomable. I am I hope a big enough person to accept someone for who they and not their ancestry.
Read the book for yourself and search your heart, you may or may not like what you see.
September 28, 2013
Devil’s Madonna is an intriguing story. One of those where you think you see where it’s going, but it’s so interesting, you don’t care. The story reaches into late 1930s Europe from present day South Florida to examine how dark secrets never stay hidden--despite, time, distance, and death. A likable young wife struggles to learn more about her family when she becomes pregnant. The only source is her 90-something grandmother who guards her past. Grandmother’s inexplicable reticence and strange behavior heighten the need to know more. Serious topic, richly drawn and provocative. One of Sharon Pott’s best.
September 10, 2012
Book Review & Giveaway: When the publisher sent me The Devil’s Madonna by award-winning author Sharon Potts, I wasn’t sure what to think about the book cover. Unlike most, it seemed so abstract that it gave me no hint about the content. And then I read the concept and knew this one had a lot of potential. Like psychological thrillers? Like novels filled with family secrets? How about a novel that blends historical and contemporary periods? Well stay tuned because this one has all three in spades! Read the rest of my review & enter our giveaway at http://popcornreads.com/?p=4577.
May 10, 2016
Sharon Potts has written a page-turner about long-hidden family secrets coming to life. Kali Miller is expecting her first child when her 93-year-old grandmother accidentally starts a fire in her home on a cold November night. Kali has never known anything about her family and starts to explore her grandmother's home when she takes on Lillian's caregiver role. As Kali's life falls apart, the horrifying secrets of her parentage finally emerge. A well-written suspense novel that fluctuates between 1930s Germany and present-day Florida.
October 30, 2012
The Devil's Madonna is truly an 'edge of your seat' novel.
Loved the character development. Kali is a character you will follow and enjoy throughout this book, but I think the 'star' is Lillian. Kali's 93 yo grandmother with secrets she wants to keep hidden. She is plagued with paranoia throughout the story, but is it really paranoia, or someone really after her?
If you like suspenseful novels, you will love The Devil's Madonna
Loved the character development. Kali is a character you will follow and enjoy throughout this book, but I think the 'star' is Lillian. Kali's 93 yo grandmother with secrets she wants to keep hidden. She is plagued with paranoia throughout the story, but is it really paranoia, or someone really after her?
If you like suspenseful novels, you will love The Devil's Madonna
September 24, 2012
This was a murder mystery that was hard to put down. It grabs your attention and holds it til the very end. There are definite twists and turns that keep you thinking. It explores the topic of the Holocaust from a different perspective. The ending really gives you something to think about, ethically.
It is interesting that Sharon Potts does not wrap this story up as nice and neat as you think she will.
It is interesting that Sharon Potts does not wrap this story up as nice and neat as you think she will.
March 17, 2013
Kept me reading. The puzzle keeps you going until you get to the end. The ending is a bit controversial and I won't say any more because I don't want it to be a spoiler.
Kali's grandmother unexplicably lights a lot of candles starting a fire in her home. She's rescued by the next door neighbor. As Kali brings her grandmother home, she begins to learn about her life in Berlin before the war. Secrets come out and lives are impacted. A good read.
Kali's grandmother unexplicably lights a lot of candles starting a fire in her home. She's rescued by the next door neighbor. As Kali brings her grandmother home, she begins to learn about her life in Berlin before the war. Secrets come out and lives are impacted. A good read.
May 4, 2016
An interesting take on Holocaust fiction. I was a little surprised at the "murder mystery thriller" feel to the book - I'm not used to that based around the Holocaust, so it was a little jarring. There were some twists and turns that just didn't seem to jive, and I have quite a few questions on stuff I didn't understand how they came to fruition.
That being said, it keeps you on the edge of your seat and is definitely a page turner. Fast paced, a little predictable, though interesting.
That being said, it keeps you on the edge of your seat and is definitely a page turner. Fast paced, a little predictable, though interesting.
August 31, 2014
I received this book for free as part of the goodreads first reads giveaway. I thoroughly enjoyed this book. The story moved at a good pace and went places I wouldn't have expected, and the characters were overall believable. I would recommend this book to fans of historical fiction and suspense.
July 26, 2015
When I first started reading this I didn't want to put it down. This book was different from what I usually read, but I really liked this one. I knew after reading to a certain point that there was a big secret but I was completely oblivious to what it might be, up until the grandmother actually said. I would definitely recommend this book to others.
July 9, 2012
It starts quite well as a study in identity but, to my mind, the author completely misses the opportunity to complete the book in a way that would have explored the moral implications of the situation she had created.
http://opionator.wordpress.com/2012/0...
http://opionator.wordpress.com/2012/0...
September 28, 2012
It kept me turning the pages. The characters were engaging, believable and multi-dimensional. Four generations of women with serious "sins of the father..." (or, in this case, mother), "nature v nuture" dynamic, but with a more diabolical twist than you'd expect.
October 18, 2012
Sharon Potts is brilliant. This story is so well crafted, plotted and paced that it grips you from the very beginning, and can't let you go.The story moves back and forth between the 30's and today with purpose and suspense, building to a clever, unpredictable ending. What a story!
October 26, 2012
wow, I should not have ever started reading this book...could not put it down, a definite page turner! The ending caught me off guard, really took a turn. A very entertaining book that leaves you thinking, ...about life.
March 27, 2014
This books had me mesmerized for the first 1/2, and furious at the second 1/2. The plot twist was so unbelievably shocking and disturbing and HORRIFYING. I had nightmares the entire night after reading it. Wow, that hit me hard.
February 7, 2017
The Devil's Madonna by Sharon Potts
This was a great book that kept me reading non stop from beginning to end. Every time I thought that things couldn't get more terrible for the heroine they did . What a wild ending.
This was a great book that kept me reading non stop from beginning to end. Every time I thought that things couldn't get more terrible for the heroine they did . What a wild ending.
September 30, 2012
A very good blending of psychological thriller, family-secret mystery, and historical fiction.
This was a Goodread's win and and autographed copy!
This was a Goodread's win and and autographed copy!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews