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The Varo Connection (Book 32)
252 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 30, 2026
About the author
Estelle Ryan
40 books635 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 - 8 of 8 reviews
August 9, 2026
Title: The Varo Connection – Book 32
Author: Estelle Ryan
Tone: Suspenseful, procedural, ominous, wry
Heat: 🫑
Violence Level: 🗡️
Intended Audience: Adult mystery/thriller readers who enjoy international art-crime investigations, cerebral puzzles, and a character-driven investigative team.
Writing Style: Descriptive and straightforward
Humor Level: 😆😆
Clarity: Clear core positioning; while it’s a stand-alone, new readers would benefit from reading at least the first book in the series to get an understanding of the team dynamics, but it’s not mandatory.
Readability: High-context thriller with a medium amount of details (has a lot, but less than some of the first books in the series and more than found in books that the author wrote as novelettes.
Pacing: Medium to fast, sustained tension, engagement throughout
Awkward Phrasing: None.
Another excellent read from Estelle Ryan. The characters are very well-developed, especially for readers who have followed the series, as Genevieve continues to grow, not just from the beginning of the story to the end, but in each subsequent novel, as she becomes more tolerant of differences (her autistic brain doesn’t like change).
The main characters are vivid and complex, and completely relatable. Sometimes, books don’t have one of the main characters or barely mention them; for example, you may not see Nikki or Phillip in every book, and they’re both missed.
Genevieve shows the most growth throughout the series, while the other characters have flatter arcs. For example, Vinnie is Vinnie, and he doesn’t change much, but continues with his cooking and protection details.
The team dynamics and chemistry between the characters is always top-notch, as they work as a team to solve the mystery. Genevieve’s neurodivergent mind almost always leads to humor through misunderstanding or her need to have things make sense.
Themes include found family, neurodivergence, crime and power. Estelle’s books always give you a sense of satisfaction when the team solves these complex mysteries, and they often take several turns before the team solves the mystery. The Varo Connection did not disappoint in this area.
The tension between the main and secondary characters brings tension to the mysteries, as well as the tension of solving the mystery of who is planting evidence against a well-known director who championed a set of laws against trafficking young women.
This is definitely one that I will read time and again, as is the rest of the series, especially since this one has more description than some of the books in the middle of the series, though it doesn’t have as much as the first 10 to 12 books.
Author: Estelle Ryan
Tone: Suspenseful, procedural, ominous, wry
Heat: 🫑
Violence Level: 🗡️
Intended Audience: Adult mystery/thriller readers who enjoy international art-crime investigations, cerebral puzzles, and a character-driven investigative team.
Writing Style: Descriptive and straightforward
Humor Level: 😆😆
Clarity: Clear core positioning; while it’s a stand-alone, new readers would benefit from reading at least the first book in the series to get an understanding of the team dynamics, but it’s not mandatory.
Readability: High-context thriller with a medium amount of details (has a lot, but less than some of the first books in the series and more than found in books that the author wrote as novelettes.
Pacing: Medium to fast, sustained tension, engagement throughout
Awkward Phrasing: None.
Another excellent read from Estelle Ryan. The characters are very well-developed, especially for readers who have followed the series, as Genevieve continues to grow, not just from the beginning of the story to the end, but in each subsequent novel, as she becomes more tolerant of differences (her autistic brain doesn’t like change).
The main characters are vivid and complex, and completely relatable. Sometimes, books don’t have one of the main characters or barely mention them; for example, you may not see Nikki or Phillip in every book, and they’re both missed.
Genevieve shows the most growth throughout the series, while the other characters have flatter arcs. For example, Vinnie is Vinnie, and he doesn’t change much, but continues with his cooking and protection details.
The team dynamics and chemistry between the characters is always top-notch, as they work as a team to solve the mystery. Genevieve’s neurodivergent mind almost always leads to humor through misunderstanding or her need to have things make sense.
Themes include found family, neurodivergence, crime and power. Estelle’s books always give you a sense of satisfaction when the team solves these complex mysteries, and they often take several turns before the team solves the mystery. The Varo Connection did not disappoint in this area.
The tension between the main and secondary characters brings tension to the mysteries, as well as the tension of solving the mystery of who is planting evidence against a well-known director who championed a set of laws against trafficking young women.
This is definitely one that I will read time and again, as is the rest of the series, especially since this one has more description than some of the books in the middle of the series, though it doesn’t have as much as the first 10 to 12 books.
August 17, 2026
Exactly what is family?
“All I know is that my tummy is telling me that someone, somewhere, is running a large game and we are all pawns.”
This is quite a story. It almost feels that it could have actually happened when Nazi looting, virtual hostages, family honor and Spanish historical issues around women are all connected around politics and found art.
We are quickly brought to Spain and immersed in the trappings of the film industry as well as women's safety. High level Spanish politicos, film and art tycoons as well as the seedy underside of most things found to be connected to them are manipulated into believable reality.
We get to see Dr Leonard's assessment of situations despite being pushed to the brink. I have read every one of these books and have watched this "family" grow ever closer and work even better together. The stories may vary but the connection becomes more enjoyable and enlightening with each book.
Highly Recommended 5/5
“All I know is that my tummy is telling me that someone, somewhere, is running a large game and we are all pawns.”
This is quite a story. It almost feels that it could have actually happened when Nazi looting, virtual hostages, family honor and Spanish historical issues around women are all connected around politics and found art.
We are quickly brought to Spain and immersed in the trappings of the film industry as well as women's safety. High level Spanish politicos, film and art tycoons as well as the seedy underside of most things found to be connected to them are manipulated into believable reality.
We get to see Dr Leonard's assessment of situations despite being pushed to the brink. I have read every one of these books and have watched this "family" grow ever closer and work even better together. The stories may vary but the connection becomes more enjoyable and enlightening with each book.
Highly Recommended 5/5
July 31, 2026
Again Estelle has created a masterpiece!
Yet another brilliant adventure for Genevieve and the family!
Following a plea from the Spanish prime minister's wife, the team become involved in proving the innocent of a rising star in the film world.
A look into the dark hidden areas of the film world leads to discoveries both expected and unexpected.
Yet another brilliant adventure for Genevieve and the family!
Following a plea from the Spanish prime minister's wife, the team become involved in proving the innocent of a rising star in the film world.
A look into the dark hidden areas of the film world leads to discoveries both expected and unexpected.
August 3, 2026
A nail biter!
Estelle Ryan continues with another great book! Those who feel like they can’t be brought down, fall the hardest. The new Spanish detectives were quite helpful. The characters are well developed as is the story line.
Estelle Ryan continues with another great book! Those who feel like they can’t be brought down, fall the hardest. The new Spanish detectives were quite helpful. The characters are well developed as is the story line.
August 2, 2026
Good story
I truly love the characters in this series. This story was a good addition to the series. I can truly say that I can’t wait for the next installment in this series.
I truly love the characters in this series. This story was a good addition to the series. I can truly say that I can’t wait for the next installment in this series.
August 8, 2026
Estelle Ryan Does it Again
This was a nail-biter - again. As always, I learn things about art and the world of criminal investigations every time.
This was a nail-biter - again. As always, I learn things about art and the world of criminal investigations every time.
August 9, 2026
The Varo Connection - another great read
The Genevieve Lenard series is my favourite series of all time and The Varo Connection did not disappoint. Can’t wait till the next one!
The Genevieve Lenard series is my favourite series of all time and The Varo Connection did not disappoint. Can’t wait till the next one!
August 11, 2026
Excellent plot line! I enjoy the growth of each character!
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews