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The Csontváry Connection (Book 26)
Cryptic paintings. A stolen childhood. A standoff.
A brutal criminal act rips Doctor Genevieve Lenard from her ordered life, stranding her in a foreign country. Reeling from the event, Genevieve’s analytical mind overrides her fear, allowing her to see the truth hidden in the this is more than a crime. It’s a desperate plea for her attention—a puzzle crafted by the perpetrator, who didn’t want to harm her. They need her brilliant mind.
When her team rushes to her side, she urges them to look past the initial crime and follow the enigmatic clues left just for her. Each discovery pulls them deeper into a sinister conspiracy, one that is hurtling toward a catastrophic event.
Now, a desperate hunt begins for the one person who holds the key. They must find the perpetrator who set this chain of events in motion—the only one with the answers needed to prevent a horrific tragedy.
A brutal criminal act rips Doctor Genevieve Lenard from her ordered life, stranding her in a foreign country. Reeling from the event, Genevieve’s analytical mind overrides her fear, allowing her to see the truth hidden in the this is more than a crime. It’s a desperate plea for her attention—a puzzle crafted by the perpetrator, who didn’t want to harm her. They need her brilliant mind.
When her team rushes to her side, she urges them to look past the initial crime and follow the enigmatic clues left just for her. Each discovery pulls them deeper into a sinister conspiracy, one that is hurtling toward a catastrophic event.
Now, a desperate hunt begins for the one person who holds the key. They must find the perpetrator who set this chain of events in motion—the only one with the answers needed to prevent a horrific tragedy.
211 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 7, 2025
78 people are currently reading
13 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 - 15 of 15 reviews
January 4, 2026
Another fine entry in this series. Honestly, each one is like coming back to a group of folks you know well and like hanging out with. I would caution anyone just beginning the series, to start at the beginning because the characters do develop along the way.
This one starts with a rather dramatic kidnapping of Genevieve. But while she struggles not to simply shut down, she's also intrigued: the kidnapper has put her someplace clean and there is interesting artwork and music playing. Surely there's a message. She's moved again and finds she has her phone back and her team is on the way to her as quick as they can, all determined to figure out what's going on.
This is one of the less complex plots ... I'd figured out a few things pretty early on. But it was still an enjoyable and fairly quick read. A minor annoyance was a handful of pretty obvious typos. Clearly there had been some re-writing by way of changing the phrasing here and there and odd words got left in or dropped in the process. it didn't spoil the book for me, but more care could be taken. That said, she releases these fast -- which is good, 'cause I really like them, but may be part of the problem.
They are not in Kindle Unlimited nor most library systems via Overdrive, but they're well priced to buy and also are in Hoopla, I believe.
This one starts with a rather dramatic kidnapping of Genevieve. But while she struggles not to simply shut down, she's also intrigued: the kidnapper has put her someplace clean and there is interesting artwork and music playing. Surely there's a message. She's moved again and finds she has her phone back and her team is on the way to her as quick as they can, all determined to figure out what's going on.
This is one of the less complex plots ... I'd figured out a few things pretty early on. But it was still an enjoyable and fairly quick read. A minor annoyance was a handful of pretty obvious typos. Clearly there had been some re-writing by way of changing the phrasing here and there and odd words got left in or dropped in the process. it didn't spoil the book for me, but more care could be taken. That said, she releases these fast -- which is good, 'cause I really like them, but may be part of the problem.
They are not in Kindle Unlimited nor most library systems via Overdrive, but they're well priced to buy and also are in Hoopla, I believe.
November 12, 2025
“History is messy, but we manage.”.
This is a very different book in the series as it's not so focused on a particular artist's work as using it to introduce clues to a fascinating puzzle that starts out with Genevieve being kidnapped and brought to Slovakia of all places. As she is " rescued" by the rest of her team, they find an interesting and intriguing puzzle but can't quite connect the pieces.
Who, what,when,where and why now of all times. The story takes us in and out of Slovakian history and believable events that draw us back to the paintings and the artist Csontvary - remember the title: a connection not a collection.
As usual I jumped on this and read it cover to cover as I love these characters - their wit, intelligence and incredible investigative skills Highly Recommended 5/5
[Again, as a note: if this is your first Genevieve Leonard book, I strongly suggest you read the first in the series as a foundation for any of the others.]
This is a very different book in the series as it's not so focused on a particular artist's work as using it to introduce clues to a fascinating puzzle that starts out with Genevieve being kidnapped and brought to Slovakia of all places. As she is " rescued" by the rest of her team, they find an interesting and intriguing puzzle but can't quite connect the pieces.
Who, what,when,where and why now of all times. The story takes us in and out of Slovakian history and believable events that draw us back to the paintings and the artist Csontvary - remember the title: a connection not a collection.
As usual I jumped on this and read it cover to cover as I love these characters - their wit, intelligence and incredible investigative skills Highly Recommended 5/5
[Again, as a note: if this is your first Genevieve Leonard book, I strongly suggest you read the first in the series as a foundation for any of the others.]
November 29, 2025
Genevieve is kidnapped and wakes up to several paintings in a room with complicated piano pieces playing in the background. She’s then drugged again and awakens in freedom, contacting the team to come and help her solve the puzzle.
They are in Slovakia, and it turns out the kidnapper is m Tommy, a leader at the Lynx, the SWAT equivalent.
In trying to find her they also work through the paintings, leading them to a cemetery on All Saints’ Day. There are several explosions, done in an effort to hide the tomb of a 3 day old baby that was depicted in a painting.
The piano pieces were a recording by Livia, a famous pianist, and the painting with a woman with an empty crib is Ivenka, an investigative reporter.
The paintings were stolen by a lunatic to fund land purchases around a castle, and he wants to gain back the castle he feels he’s owed after Slovakia became independent. He has an online cult following of misogynists and they threaten the safety of people touring the castle.
The pieces come together when Livia, Ivenka and Tommy meet with the team and it’s revealed that Tommy knew the misogynist and his wife kidnapped Livia as a baby, and that now he may try to kill people at the castle. They find him and confront him and he kills his wife and then himself.
Jenny doesn’t press charges against Tommy, but she carries the guilt of her crime. Livia and her mother are reunited and there’s a whole family Livia meets.
I loved this book, with such a clever story of the gang following the paintings and the poignant reunion of a mother and daughter.
It’s interesting that Tommy, though guilty, was forgiven, good and bad aren’t black and white sometimes.
As always, waiting for more.
They are in Slovakia, and it turns out the kidnapper is m Tommy, a leader at the Lynx, the SWAT equivalent.
In trying to find her they also work through the paintings, leading them to a cemetery on All Saints’ Day. There are several explosions, done in an effort to hide the tomb of a 3 day old baby that was depicted in a painting.
The piano pieces were a recording by Livia, a famous pianist, and the painting with a woman with an empty crib is Ivenka, an investigative reporter.
The paintings were stolen by a lunatic to fund land purchases around a castle, and he wants to gain back the castle he feels he’s owed after Slovakia became independent. He has an online cult following of misogynists and they threaten the safety of people touring the castle.
The pieces come together when Livia, Ivenka and Tommy meet with the team and it’s revealed that Tommy knew the misogynist and his wife kidnapped Livia as a baby, and that now he may try to kill people at the castle. They find him and confront him and he kills his wife and then himself.
Jenny doesn’t press charges against Tommy, but she carries the guilt of her crime. Livia and her mother are reunited and there’s a whole family Livia meets.
I loved this book, with such a clever story of the gang following the paintings and the poignant reunion of a mother and daughter.
It’s interesting that Tommy, though guilty, was forgiven, good and bad aren’t black and white sometimes.
As always, waiting for more.
December 6, 2025
Interesting, emotionally satisfying, wonderful book.
I've read all of Ms Ryan's books and truly this was the most satisfying in every way. The intricate weaving of everything involved was uniquely perfect in every way. I cannot emphasize how very satisfied and a humanly proud to feel such love in people. The characters that are her friends are my friends too. And the way she ended the book could not have been more perfect. Please purchase and read this book. You will be a better person for it.
I've read all of Ms Ryan's books and truly this was the most satisfying in every way. The intricate weaving of everything involved was uniquely perfect in every way. I cannot emphasize how very satisfied and a humanly proud to feel such love in people. The characters that are her friends are my friends too. And the way she ended the book could not have been more perfect. Please purchase and read this book. You will be a better person for it.
November 10, 2025
Good Quick Read
As always I enjoyed this 26th volume in the Genevieve Leonard series. The location was a little less well-known, but I guess at this point it's harder to find a location that Genevieve and the gang haven't visited before. My only criticism is that there were several odd typos including a switch between "his" and "hers" in the same sentence. I'm not sure if I've never noticed this before or she's changed proof readers. In any case I'll keep reading this series.
As always I enjoyed this 26th volume in the Genevieve Leonard series. The location was a little less well-known, but I guess at this point it's harder to find a location that Genevieve and the gang haven't visited before. My only criticism is that there were several odd typos including a switch between "his" and "hers" in the same sentence. I'm not sure if I've never noticed this before or she's changed proof readers. In any case I'll keep reading this series.
November 9, 2025
An unexpected kidnapping!
Estelle Ryan continues to entertain us! The characters are like catching up on family and their ongoing adventures and investigations. I am now very interested in traveling to the European countries in her books and imagining being on her team. I can not wait for the next journey!
Estelle Ryan continues to entertain us! The characters are like catching up on family and their ongoing adventures and investigations. I am now very interested in traveling to the European countries in her books and imagining being on her team. I can not wait for the next journey!
November 11, 2025
Another Adventure
When Genevieve is kidnapped and drugged, ending up in Slovakia, her team comes to the rescue. Through computer searches and visiting possible resources, they uncover a twisted plot. And make new friends. I love that a once solitary neuron divergent now has a happy and loving family that keeps expanding.
When Genevieve is kidnapped and drugged, ending up in Slovakia, her team comes to the rescue. Through computer searches and visiting possible resources, they uncover a twisted plot. And make new friends. I love that a once solitary neuron divergent now has a happy and loving family that keeps expanding.
November 9, 2025
another good read
I love reading the relationships between the entire family, Genevieve and Colin, Vin and Roxy, Jazzy and Daniel, Pink and Nikki, Millard and Franny as well as Philip
I love reading the relationships between the entire family, Genevieve and Colin, Vin and Roxy, Jazzy and Daniel, Pink and Nikki, Millard and Franny as well as Philip
November 14, 2025
Not Quite There
I loved all of the Genevieve Lenard books, but this one was a disappointment. Genevieve’s talent was peripheral and the whole baby stealing, giving her away story was forced and convoluted.
Hoping the next book will be back to the previous greatness.
I loved all of the Genevieve Lenard books, but this one was a disappointment. Genevieve’s talent was peripheral and the whole baby stealing, giving her away story was forced and convoluted.
Hoping the next book will be back to the previous greatness.
November 19, 2025
Mysterious kidnapping and mental artist
So many story threads, new characters, secret clues in paintings, spies, bombings and terrorist plots. Loved this book! I'm exhausted after my all day read!
So many story threads, new characters, secret clues in paintings, spies, bombings and terrorist plots. Loved this book! I'm exhausted after my all day read!
November 23, 2025
Not my favorite, but still good
I thought the book was somewhat wordy in the middle with a lot of story lines. That said, the main plot was interesting, the book started with a bang and ended with an unexpected surprise.
I thought the book was somewhat wordy in the middle with a lot of story lines. That said, the main plot was interesting, the book started with a bang and ended with an unexpected surprise.
November 9, 2025
I am a huge Dr Genieve Lenard fan, and this book did not disappoint. Great characters, fast-paced plot, and another caper for the team to solve.
November 15, 2025
4.5 stars
November 20, 2025
Always enjoy the travelog, as well as the education in history and art. As the main cast of characters expands, the group only becomes more interesting. A very tangled plot gets unwound.
December 1, 2025
Another excellent story in this series! As before, a few typos (three) that really should have been caught by the proofreader.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews