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Vermeer to Eternity
When a widow inherits a Dutch painting from her late husband, she wonders if it could be a Vermeer – and enlists the help of a married couple to find out. They call in an old acquaintance from university, an imperious art historian named Goodhart who is the world’s greatest authority on the painter. Soon expertise and expectations collide – with astonishing results. An exclusive Kindle Single from the world-renowned author.
31 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 12, 2015
595 people are currently reading
759 people want to read
About the author
Anthony Horowitz
346 books21.1k followersAnthony Horowitz, OBE is ranked alongside Enid Blyton and Mark A. Cooper as "The most original and best spy-kids authors of the century." (New York Times). Anthony has been writing since the age of eight, and professionally since the age of twenty. In addition to the highly successful Alex Rider books, he is also the writer and creator of award winning detective series Foyle’s War, and more recently event drama Collision, among his other television works he has written episodes for Poirot, Murder in Mind, Midsomer Murders and Murder Most Horrid. Anthony became patron to East Anglia Children’s Hospices in 2009.
On 19 January 2011, the estate of Arthur Conan Doyle announced that Horowitz was to be the writer of a new Sherlock Holmes novel, the first such effort to receive an official endorsement from them and to be entitled the House of Silk.
http://us.macmillan.com/author/anthon...
On 19 January 2011, the estate of Arthur Conan Doyle announced that Horowitz was to be the writer of a new Sherlock Holmes novel, the first such effort to receive an official endorsement from them and to be entitled the House of Silk.
http://us.macmillan.com/author/anthon...
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 143 reviews
November 19, 2022
An enjoyable little tale from Anthony Horowitz, with an amusing twist.
February 5, 2023
Do you have a Vermeer hidden in your attic? That is the dilemma that a couple wants to solve for a sweet elderly lady down on her luck. When a "full of himself" art historian is called in to take a look, he is at first, aghast that such a work would be a Vermeer, but then, through the powers of sleep, changes his mind with an unexpected result.
Such fun! and a slap in the face to hooty tooty art dealers!
Kindle Unlimited strikes again!
Such fun! and a slap in the face to hooty tooty art dealers!
Kindle Unlimited strikes again!
September 12, 2021
27 Pages
Anthony Horowitz at his best with a short story about a snob art historian and critic who
uses his knowledge in examining a Dutch painting dated 1642 to see if it's a forgery or the real deal.
Sometimes Karma is just around the corner.
Anthony Horowitz at his best with a short story about a snob art historian and critic who
uses his knowledge in examining a Dutch painting dated 1642 to see if it's a forgery or the real deal.
Sometimes Karma is just around the corner.
August 26, 2020
Well, well, well. I don't normally like short stories all that much, but this was fun and entertaining and just thoroughly enjoyable. It was also my first Horowitz, and I am now looking forward even more so to beginning Magpie Murders.
The narrator here is cheeky and conversational the whole way through — completely engaging. His old college friend is a world renowned expert on Vermeer. And, though the narrator never really considered this man a close friend, he engages his friend's expertise to assess whether a painting owned by a neighbor is a genuine Vermeer. The owner of the painting, a widow in needing of some funds after the death of her husband, has inherited the Dutch painting which came to her husband by way of a gift from a French family. It has never been valued or assessed in any way, and she has never paid much attention to it — until now.
As the remainder of this little gem unfolds, the hilarious twists and turns make for a fast-paced read — delightful all the way through.
The narrator here is cheeky and conversational the whole way through — completely engaging. His old college friend is a world renowned expert on Vermeer. And, though the narrator never really considered this man a close friend, he engages his friend's expertise to assess whether a painting owned by a neighbor is a genuine Vermeer. The owner of the painting, a widow in needing of some funds after the death of her husband, has inherited the Dutch painting which came to her husband by way of a gift from a French family. It has never been valued or assessed in any way, and she has never paid much attention to it — until now.
As the remainder of this little gem unfolds, the hilarious twists and turns make for a fast-paced read — delightful all the way through.
April 19, 2018
This was an outstanding short story, written by a truly gifted author who delivered books such as ''Magpie Murders'', ''House of Silk'', ''The Word is Murder'' and others. Anthony Horowitz is a writer who has experimented with a variety of literary genres as well as television and film screenwriting (''Foyle's War''). The common denominator of every Horowitz's individual work is the prime quality of his prose and the ingenious plots that he comes up with. In ''Vermeer to Eternity,'' Horowitz uses a terse language which best serves the narration of an entertaining story about art forgery and leaves the reader stunned with one of the most remarkable endings in short stories I've ever read. It is a value for money choice and the reader has to sacrifice no more than one hour to finish it. 5 stars and I am eagerly waiting for more of Anthony Horowitz work in the future.
March 14, 2020
I liked this mini-mystery. The main character pulled me into the story and kept me interested.
August 20, 2021
This short one is a joy to read. Art, school ties, Vermeer discovery...or not? Very entertaining!
Kindle Unlimited! (a winner)
Kindle Unlimited! (a winner)
November 7, 2022
Clever, fun short story. So glad I read this since it was an entertaining, quick read.
November 13, 2023
Rather cute little tale, very much enjoyed. Wrapped up nicely!
May 11, 2021
Anthony Horowitz is one gifted storyteller and this mini-mystery is a superb read. This entertaining short story was narrated by an engaging, relatable character and I was hooked into the plot full-on, so much so that I was pleasantly surprised by the plot twist, a talent Horowitz excels at writing. Well done.
August 25, 2020
Shaggy art shortie
June 3, 2015
I have long considered Anthony Horowitz the best short story writer of our age. I adored his Horowitz Horror collections as a teenager. He has a way of telling a remarkable story in a short space of time which twists and turns and ends with a great big shock.
In this story a man calls upon his university friend Paul, now an art expert, to determine whether a friend's artwork is by Vermeer. But things aren't straight forward and a strange visit in the night leads Paul to change his mind. But is he right to trust such a strange occurrence?
Its a neat little story with great twists, a brilliant red herring moment and one of those great endings. Its just like the Horowitz stories I adored as a teenager only feeling a bit more academic and grown-up. Lots of fun!
In this story a man calls upon his university friend Paul, now an art expert, to determine whether a friend's artwork is by Vermeer. But things aren't straight forward and a strange visit in the night leads Paul to change his mind. But is he right to trust such a strange occurrence?
Its a neat little story with great twists, a brilliant red herring moment and one of those great endings. Its just like the Horowitz stories I adored as a teenager only feeling a bit more academic and grown-up. Lots of fun!
May 12, 2021
What a clever gem! This short novelette reminds me of the work of Vermeer himself: domestic, full of light, with meticulous details and trademark aspects, all wrapped up in a concise space!
The kindle version I read was only 25 pages long, but packed a powerful wallop! I am a sucker for art mysteries and this one was no exception.
My favorite feature of Horowitz's writing is his confidentially personal, insider style, with which he beguiles the reader into thinking he is relating an anecdote over a relaxed drink where it's just the two of you. He always sounds like he would be the most interesting guest at a party!
Considering the subject matter, the ending is absolutely pitch perfect.
The kindle version I read was only 25 pages long, but packed a powerful wallop! I am a sucker for art mysteries and this one was no exception.
My favorite feature of Horowitz's writing is his confidentially personal, insider style, with which he beguiles the reader into thinking he is relating an anecdote over a relaxed drink where it's just the two of you. He always sounds like he would be the most interesting guest at a party!
Considering the subject matter, the ending is absolutely pitch perfect.
July 21, 2022
Vermeer to Eternity is an awful pun-and a book by Anthony Horowitz that I really enjoyed, about a pretentious art critic and a possibly fake painting by (you guessed it) Vermeer. This ultra short is of blink and you’ll miss it length and it is very entertaining.
July 16, 2024
Overall Rating : B-
"We love it when a rich or a successful person falls from grace."
"We love it when a rich or a successful person falls from grace."
December 30, 2021
In a short narrative space Horowitz spins a yarn about a painting that could be extremely valuable - or not. It definitely is interesting - but not in any way that we could expect!
February 11, 2016
Anthony Horowitz presents a short story with mystery and fantastic elements that plays out several twists. The creator of Foyle's War and the writer of the new Sherlock Holmes novels tells the story of a desperate widow with a painting that was part of her husband's estate. Now that she needs funds, she contacts an expert. From there, the tale wraps itself around an art historian and will not let go.
A nice quick read.
A nice quick read.
November 13, 2018
Horowitz is becoming a favorite of mine. I even like this short story, although generally I find them unfulfilling. He has managed to create a well rounded story with lots of interesting angles in a very short narrative.
December 3, 2021
Tiesiog labai trumpas, viena idėja paremtas apsakymas, personažų nedaug, bet jų aprašymai puikūs
April 17, 2023
This was a great read by an internationally known and respected mystery writer. Anthony Horowitz weaves a fun and engaging story about a widow with a painting that is allegedly a Vermeer and the art critic who initially determines it to be a forgery.
There is something about Anthony Horowitz's work that keeps readers turning pages and investing themselves in the outcome of the story. His characterization is definitely part of the appeal, and in this book I found the choice of narrator to be fascinating. The narrator, James, is a neighbor of the widow and an old university friend of the art critic. James' presence in the story allows the reader to see the widow and the critic from an outsider's point of view—this adds a terrific element of relatability for the reader. As James' story unfolded, I found myself agreeing with his assessment of the characters and with the situation they found themselves in.
Ghosts and karma play big roles in this story, and even if you're not a fan of ghost stories, I urge you to read this one. Because who isn't a fan of karma??
The book is 23 pages long and you can read it in a jiffy. It's also just 99¢ on Kindle (not available in any other format) or free if you're in Kindle Unlimited.
I would recommend this book to anyone who loves a great short story with a fun twist at the end.
There is something about Anthony Horowitz's work that keeps readers turning pages and investing themselves in the outcome of the story. His characterization is definitely part of the appeal, and in this book I found the choice of narrator to be fascinating. The narrator, James, is a neighbor of the widow and an old university friend of the art critic. James' presence in the story allows the reader to see the widow and the critic from an outsider's point of view—this adds a terrific element of relatability for the reader. As James' story unfolded, I found myself agreeing with his assessment of the characters and with the situation they found themselves in.
Ghosts and karma play big roles in this story, and even if you're not a fan of ghost stories, I urge you to read this one. Because who isn't a fan of karma??
The book is 23 pages long and you can read it in a jiffy. It's also just 99¢ on Kindle (not available in any other format) or free if you're in Kindle Unlimited.
I would recommend this book to anyone who loves a great short story with a fun twist at the end.
November 4, 2017
This is a short story written in first-person POV about a teacher who calls upon a famous art historian he had known at university to evaluate a downtrodden widow's possible Vermeer painting. The characters are believable - some infuriating, others kind. The story has a sort of Sherlock Holmes feel to it, as if a sort of Watson character is narrating, even though it takes place in modern times. It's worth the read.
December 15, 2021
Up to this author's usual high standards. I only wish it had been a full length mystery (probably not feasible).
December 26, 2018
Clever
I love Horowitz' writing and wry sense of humor. This singlet demonstrates both nicely. It was a quick read yet well thought out.
Definitely worth the money.
I love Horowitz' writing and wry sense of humor. This singlet demonstrates both nicely. It was a quick read yet well thought out.
Definitely worth the money.
September 4, 2021
Very short but entertaining. I loved the ending.
September 28, 2021
I really enjoyed this Kindle single.
March 20, 2023
a good short story
Another sly Horowitz story, so well written and wet. A fun very quick read. I enjoyed it although I wish there were more. The story is quite self contained but I love Horowitz’s stories; I wish there were more of them together for a cloudy afternoon.
Another sly Horowitz story, so well written and wet. A fun very quick read. I enjoyed it although I wish there were more. The story is quite self contained but I love Horowitz’s stories; I wish there were more of them together for a cloudy afternoon.
August 11, 2015
Reading this short story was like an episode of the BBC series Fake or Fortune, but at 27 pages it was over far too soon for me. However, even in its brevitude it draws the reader in from the first page and has some great twists, highlighting the pomposity that can exist in the art world. The first Anthony Horowitz I have read, but I loved his writing style and he is now on firmly on my ‘to read’ list.
July 1, 2018
Horowitz always tells a good story!
Each time I begin a book by this author I always imagine that he's just popped in, taken off his jacket and scarf, tossed them aside, and eagerly sat down before me with "listen to this! You won't believe what I've got to tell you!" If you're like me, and love the spinning of a good tale, well sit down and begin Vermeer to Eternity! Promise you'll not be disappointed!
Each time I begin a book by this author I always imagine that he's just popped in, taken off his jacket and scarf, tossed them aside, and eagerly sat down before me with "listen to this! You won't believe what I've got to tell you!" If you're like me, and love the spinning of a good tale, well sit down and begin Vermeer to Eternity! Promise you'll not be disappointed!
October 7, 2020
"... sometimes when ambitions burn out, they do so gently. Some are born great, some achieve greatness but some actually realize that greatness probably wasn't for them and settle with what they've got".
On a mini quest to read some good short stories. Not a story you had to think much over, but I thought it was well written and a sort of 'ghost story' for fall.
On a mini quest to read some good short stories. Not a story you had to think much over, but I thought it was well written and a sort of 'ghost story' for fall.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 143 reviews