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Patrick de Courvoisier Mystery #2
The Case of the Missing Madonna
Private investigator Patrick de Courvoisier unearths a shocking wartime secret in this stylish Cannes-based mystery series.
Brother Robert from the abbey on St Honorat, a picturesque island off the French coast, has requested Patrick de Courvoisier’s help in locating a valuable painting which has disappeared from the monastery’s vaults.
At the same time, an old enemy from Patrick’s past has arrived in Cannes in search of a different stolen painting. As it becomes increasingly clear that the two investigations are linked, Patrick’s enquiries lead him to uncover a shocking wartime secret: a secret the British Royal family would prefer to keep hidden…
Brother Robert from the abbey on St Honorat, a picturesque island off the French coast, has requested Patrick de Courvoisier’s help in locating a valuable painting which has disappeared from the monastery’s vaults.
At the same time, an old enemy from Patrick’s past has arrived in Cannes in search of a different stolen painting. As it becomes increasingly clear that the two investigations are linked, Patrick’s enquiries lead him to uncover a shocking wartime secret: a secret the British Royal family would prefer to keep hidden…
192 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2016
8 people are currently reading
55 people want to read
About the author
Lin Anderson
73 books383 followersLin Anderson was born in Greenock of Scottish and Irish parents. A graduate of both Glasgow and Edinburgh Universities, she has lived in many different parts of Scotland and also spent five years working in the African bush. A teacher of Mathematics and Computing, she began her writing career four years ago. Her first film, Small Love, which was broadcast on STV, was nominated for TAPS writer of the year award 2001. Her African short stories have been published in the 10th Anniversary Macallan collection and broadcast on BBC Radio Four.
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
October 4, 2020
Interesting mystery.
The mystery made reference to other stories of the author. But the twists and turns were interesting and kept me guessing. Patrick is a good detective and the story told from his point of view was also good. Liked it.
The mystery made reference to other stories of the author. But the twists and turns were interesting and kept me guessing. Patrick is a good detective and the story told from his point of view was also good. Liked it.
January 2, 2016
To Be Taken At Mealtimes
This was a very satisfying read. It would seem that this is the second in a series of stories featuring the eminently charming Patrick du Courvoisier. Whilst little is lost from not having read the first book the frequent allusions to it acts as a constant dangling carrot.
Much of the action takes place in France, Cannes to be precise, and all that the name conjures in the imagination is here in abundance. There are inevitable comparisons with James Bond but it is a fast paced mystery that never loses momentum. There’s some interesting war time history which interested me enough to make me want to do some research on how much is evidential fact. There is plenty of excitement and action, Courvoisier is what I like to call a ‘Houdini Hero’, he gets into seemingly impossible situations and manages to extricate himself with aplomb. But he seldom seems to lose his humanity. If you are a lover of this genre you’d be hard pressed not to enjoy it. And does the guy get the girl? I’m not going to tell you, you will have to read it to find out.
I would have given this five stars but for the ending. The actual case of the missing Madonna is solved satisfactorily with all ends tied up neatly and then when you think it’s all done and dusted there is another chapter that goes nowhere. I thought I had a ‘duff’ copy with pages missing but I think the writer is attempting to whet the appetite for a future du Courvoisier mystery. To be honest I don’t think it’s necessary. For me I would happily seek out previous books in this series and await future ones.
One word of warning; I had to read this at meal times as the numerous and detailed digressions of Patrick into French gastronomy and wine, (boy, this guy can eat), played havoc with my salivary glands!
Whizz
Breakaway Reviewers were given a copy of the book to review
This was a very satisfying read. It would seem that this is the second in a series of stories featuring the eminently charming Patrick du Courvoisier. Whilst little is lost from not having read the first book the frequent allusions to it acts as a constant dangling carrot.
Much of the action takes place in France, Cannes to be precise, and all that the name conjures in the imagination is here in abundance. There are inevitable comparisons with James Bond but it is a fast paced mystery that never loses momentum. There’s some interesting war time history which interested me enough to make me want to do some research on how much is evidential fact. There is plenty of excitement and action, Courvoisier is what I like to call a ‘Houdini Hero’, he gets into seemingly impossible situations and manages to extricate himself with aplomb. But he seldom seems to lose his humanity. If you are a lover of this genre you’d be hard pressed not to enjoy it. And does the guy get the girl? I’m not going to tell you, you will have to read it to find out.
I would have given this five stars but for the ending. The actual case of the missing Madonna is solved satisfactorily with all ends tied up neatly and then when you think it’s all done and dusted there is another chapter that goes nowhere. I thought I had a ‘duff’ copy with pages missing but I think the writer is attempting to whet the appetite for a future du Courvoisier mystery. To be honest I don’t think it’s necessary. For me I would happily seek out previous books in this series and await future ones.
One word of warning; I had to read this at meal times as the numerous and detailed digressions of Patrick into French gastronomy and wine, (boy, this guy can eat), played havoc with my salivary glands!
Whizz
Breakaway Reviewers were given a copy of the book to review
October 28, 2020
Plenty of action and intrigue in this european art thriller
The rakish, and for me slightly irritating, Patrick Courvoisier returns in this second night novel. Rooted in WWII myth and history of missing Jewish owned works of art, the story covers a lot of ground, historically, literally and metaphorically.
An artwork missing from the island of St Sonnat, sees the monastery brothers employ ‘the fixer’ to ensure its return. A high speed race around the med ensues.
With her usual description of place and quirky well fleshed-out characters, Lin Anderson delivers another gripping read.
The rakish, and for me slightly irritating, Patrick Courvoisier returns in this second night novel. Rooted in WWII myth and history of missing Jewish owned works of art, the story covers a lot of ground, historically, literally and metaphorically.
An artwork missing from the island of St Sonnat, sees the monastery brothers employ ‘the fixer’ to ensure its return. A high speed race around the med ensues.
With her usual description of place and quirky well fleshed-out characters, Lin Anderson delivers another gripping read.
September 17, 2022
This is the second book in the Patrick Courvoisier series. I always think of these books as spy novels. This was a pretty good read. I'd tried reading it before, but it just didn't pull me in. The second time around reading it was more enjoyable. My only criticism with the book was that once the case had been resolved the story continued and at the end I understood why, because it was a segue into the next book, which I don't think has been published yet. I didn't care for that method of transition to another book it seemed too cliche.
September 5, 2024
Enjoyed this more than the first Patrick Courvoisier novel. He is an interesting and endearing character. Almost James Bond like and certainly action packed. Off now to read the third book in this series recently published by Lin Anderson. Rhona MacLeod is however still my favourite. Do hope Lin is writing another in that series.
September 29, 2024
I used to read Clive Cussler books years ago and this story so reminds me of his writing. It is full of drama for beginning to end with spies, history, underwater searches , murder and lots lots more !! Read it in a day as I kept wanting to find out what happened next. All this happening in and around Cannes with the rich and famous in the background. Really enjoyed this book.
July 13, 2021
Another great story
I absolutely adore the protagonist of this story and his group of friends. Another good take full of excitement and intensity. Looking forward to the next one.
I absolutely adore the protagonist of this story and his group of friends. Another good take full of excitement and intensity. Looking forward to the next one.
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October 6, 2020Although her writing is excellent I didn’t like this series as much as her previous one. It smacks too much of a civilian James Bond.
November 17, 2021
Fast pace did not want to put it down. Great reads.
February 24, 2017
Interesting characters and setting.
October 17, 2015
This is a fabulous escapist read, a fast-paced, stylish contemporary thriller set in and around Cannes in the South of France. There's adventure, danger, beautiful women and mysterious men. Some of those women are mysterious in their own right, adding emotional depth to their glamorous looks.
Our hero is Patrick de Courvoisier, former British agent with a sadness in his past which the author skilfully hints at but doesn't yet reveal. Maybe she will over the course of what I hope will be many more books to come. Elegant, modern thrillers are thin on the ground.
Living on his converted gunboat with his dog Oscar, Patrick earns what seems to be a very decent crust as a fixer of other people's problems. Chasing a missing painting and then a statue of the Madonna around the dramatic coastal scenery, he uncovers an explosive secret from the past. It's one the British Royal Family wouldn't want to come out.
One of the many aspects I really love about this book is that Patrick, while he has secrets he wants to keep, isn't a loner or a cynic. He loves his dog and he loves his friends. He also loves good food and fine wine and enjoys them frequently. All of this is vividly described, rounding out the picture. Sunshine, thrills, glamour and a rattling good yarn. Oh, and there's swimming too. I'm intrigued by that. Patrick is so at home in the water he might be a selkie, the half-seal, half human creatures of Scottish myth and legend.
Our hero is Patrick de Courvoisier, former British agent with a sadness in his past which the author skilfully hints at but doesn't yet reveal. Maybe she will over the course of what I hope will be many more books to come. Elegant, modern thrillers are thin on the ground.
Living on his converted gunboat with his dog Oscar, Patrick earns what seems to be a very decent crust as a fixer of other people's problems. Chasing a missing painting and then a statue of the Madonna around the dramatic coastal scenery, he uncovers an explosive secret from the past. It's one the British Royal Family wouldn't want to come out.
One of the many aspects I really love about this book is that Patrick, while he has secrets he wants to keep, isn't a loner or a cynic. He loves his dog and he loves his friends. He also loves good food and fine wine and enjoys them frequently. All of this is vividly described, rounding out the picture. Sunshine, thrills, glamour and a rattling good yarn. Oh, and there's swimming too. I'm intrigued by that. Patrick is so at home in the water he might be a selkie, the half-seal, half human creatures of Scottish myth and legend.
October 27, 2015
Resigning from the Secret Service doesn’t work when they need you to do a little something for them...
Suave, almost ex- agent, Patrick de Courvoisier does go to a garden party at Buck House to tell his hopefully ex-superior just that, with the uneasy feeling that they don’t believe him. Just find this missing painting for us, oh, and here is the very beautiful art expert to give you a hand.
No, sorry, I don’t work for you, any more.
Meanwhile, Brother Robert of the Abbey on the island of St Honorat off the city of Cannes where Patrick now lives want him to search for their own missing painting. Not a coincidence, of course, but how are they connected? And what is the scandal that might embarrass the British Royals if it should out? It seems that the paintings are of the same subject; does that mean one is a fake? Seriously ruthless others are also after the Wartime secret that the paintings hold, building to a tight finale.
An enjoyable read, indeed. see www.bookpostmortem.wordpress.com
Suave, almost ex- agent, Patrick de Courvoisier does go to a garden party at Buck House to tell his hopefully ex-superior just that, with the uneasy feeling that they don’t believe him. Just find this missing painting for us, oh, and here is the very beautiful art expert to give you a hand.
No, sorry, I don’t work for you, any more.
Meanwhile, Brother Robert of the Abbey on the island of St Honorat off the city of Cannes where Patrick now lives want him to search for their own missing painting. Not a coincidence, of course, but how are they connected? And what is the scandal that might embarrass the British Royals if it should out? It seems that the paintings are of the same subject; does that mean one is a fake? Seriously ruthless others are also after the Wartime secret that the paintings hold, building to a tight finale.
An enjoyable read, indeed. see www.bookpostmortem.wordpress.com
October 13, 2015
Patrick de Courvoisier is asked by the monks of the abbey of St Honorat, just off Cannes, to recover a painting of the Madonna stolen from them recently. In the process he comes face to face with an enemy from his previous life who is also in search of a missing painting. Inevitably they clash.
This is a fast-paced thriller type story and as such is not my preferred genre but I like Patrick as a character and enjoy reading about his life on his converted gunboat with his dog, Oscar. There were a few too many chases and guns for me in this story as I prefer something a bit more sedate and less dangerous.
That said this is an excellent story with an intriguing plot and it did keep me entertained. If thrillers are your thing then I am sure you will enjoy this one. I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley for review.
This is a fast-paced thriller type story and as such is not my preferred genre but I like Patrick as a character and enjoy reading about his life on his converted gunboat with his dog, Oscar. There were a few too many chases and guns for me in this story as I prefer something a bit more sedate and less dangerous.
That said this is an excellent story with an intriguing plot and it did keep me entertained. If thrillers are your thing then I am sure you will enjoy this one. I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley for review.
May 22, 2020
I had enjoyed the author's series about Rhona MacLeod so thought I would give this a try. This book is very different from the other series though. The protagonist is some sort of British ex-secret agent who now lives in Cannes and solves people's problems. He is asked to find a missing painting without involving the police and also deal with gangsters who are threatening an illegal immigrant. As the story unfolds the British Secret Service and neo-nazis become involved. Some exciting scenes but not really the sort of story I want to read.
May 16, 2016
Actually this was second in this series this only added to the confusion of all the goings on in this story -- after awhile I just wanted it to end.....and I can see that the story continues in another book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 17, 2017
As a massive fan of the author's Rhona Macleod series, I am sorry to say that I really struggled with this book. The fact that it is the second in a series did not make a massive difference but I did really feel indifferent to the characters portrayed. The mystery in the story was very intriguing and has probably happened on some similar level in real life, but the characters has not piqued my interesting enough to wonder what will happen in their continuing adventures or what happened before this book.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews