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Sharpe & Donovan #7
Thief's Mark
A murder in a quiet English village, long-buried secrets and a man's search for answers about his traumatic past entangle FBI agents Emma Sharpe and Colin Donovan in the latest edge-of-your-seat Sharpe & Donovan novel
As a young boy, Oliver York witnessed the murder of his wealthy parents in their London apartment. The killers kidnapped him and held him in an isolated Scottish ruin, but he escaped, thwarting their plans for ransom. Now, after thirty years on the run, one of the two men Oliver identified as his tormentors may have surfaced.
Emma Sharpe and Colin Donovan are enjoying the final day of their Irish honeymoon when a break-in at the home of Emma's grandfather, private art detective Wendell Sharpe, points to Oliver. The Sharpes have a complicated relationship with the likable, reclusive Englishman, an expert in Celtic mythology and international art thief who taunted Wendell for years. Emma and Colin postpone meetings in London with their elite FBI team and head straight to Oliver. But when they arrive at York's country home, a man is dead and Oliver has vanished.
As the danger mounts, new questions arise about Oliver's account of his boyhood trauma. Do Emma and Colin dare trust him? With the trail leading beyond Oliver's small village to Ireland, Scotland and their own turf in the US, the stakes are high, and Emma and Colin must unravel the decades-old tangle of secrets and lies before a killer strikes again.
New York Times bestselling author Carla Neggers delivers the gripping, suspense-filled tale readers have been waiting for.
As a young boy, Oliver York witnessed the murder of his wealthy parents in their London apartment. The killers kidnapped him and held him in an isolated Scottish ruin, but he escaped, thwarting their plans for ransom. Now, after thirty years on the run, one of the two men Oliver identified as his tormentors may have surfaced.
Emma Sharpe and Colin Donovan are enjoying the final day of their Irish honeymoon when a break-in at the home of Emma's grandfather, private art detective Wendell Sharpe, points to Oliver. The Sharpes have a complicated relationship with the likable, reclusive Englishman, an expert in Celtic mythology and international art thief who taunted Wendell for years. Emma and Colin postpone meetings in London with their elite FBI team and head straight to Oliver. But when they arrive at York's country home, a man is dead and Oliver has vanished.
As the danger mounts, new questions arise about Oliver's account of his boyhood trauma. Do Emma and Colin dare trust him? With the trail leading beyond Oliver's small village to Ireland, Scotland and their own turf in the US, the stakes are high, and Emma and Colin must unravel the decades-old tangle of secrets and lies before a killer strikes again.
New York Times bestselling author Carla Neggers delivers the gripping, suspense-filled tale readers have been waiting for.
334 pages, Hardcover
First published August 29, 2017
373 people are currently reading
1249 people want to read
About the author
Carla Neggers
143 books1,608 followersCarla Neggers is the New York Times bestselling author of the Sharpe & Donovan series featuring Boston-based FBI agents Emma Sharpe and Colin Donovan, and the popular Swift River Valley series set in the small, fictional New England town of Knights Bridge. With many bestsellers to her credit, Carla loves to write now as much as she did when she climbed a tree at age eleven with a pad and pen and spun stories perched on her favorite branch.
A native New Englander, Carla and her husband divide their time between their hilltop home in Vermont, a sofa bed at their kids' places in Boston and various inns, hotels and hideaways on their travels, frequently to Ireland.
Find out more and sign up for Carla's newsletter at CarlaNeggers.com.
A native New Englander, Carla and her husband divide their time between their hilltop home in Vermont, a sofa bed at their kids' places in Boston and various inns, hotels and hideaways on their travels, frequently to Ireland.
Find out more and sign up for Carla's newsletter at CarlaNeggers.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 107 reviews
April 1, 2018
Oh well, I guess it was due time for a lackluster, disappointing book to arrive in my hands. The beginning showed a little bit of a promise and some interest involving the FBI and special agents of MI5 and a brilliant art thief, but repetitive thoughts and no real challenging action is what bogged down the story. Probably the only character who sparked any interest was Henrietta, but even she ended up letting me down.
It’s a really doddering, drawn out, nonchallenging plot. The characters are all quite dull; I had no connection with them. There is an abundance of extraneous words, sentences and paragraphs which equals wordiness. Wordiness is a true story detractor.
Two main characters/agents are talking about the FBI and the MI5 (British) missions. They are waiting for a rental car. Right in the middle of it we get this “She raised the handle on her bag.” Who cares??? Why is it important to the reader that she raised the handle on her bag? Did we really need to know this? There’s so many more fillers like this through the book, but I will spare you the misery of pointing them out further.
This book is in the genre of murder/mystery. It was just so hard for me to get through this! I gave up reading it a little bit more than halfway through! ☹️ No love lost with this one. Next book, please!
It’s a really doddering, drawn out, nonchallenging plot. The characters are all quite dull; I had no connection with them. There is an abundance of extraneous words, sentences and paragraphs which equals wordiness. Wordiness is a true story detractor.
Two main characters/agents are talking about the FBI and the MI5 (British) missions. They are waiting for a rental car. Right in the middle of it we get this “She raised the handle on her bag.” Who cares??? Why is it important to the reader that she raised the handle on her bag? Did we really need to know this? There’s so many more fillers like this through the book, but I will spare you the misery of pointing them out further.
This book is in the genre of murder/mystery. It was just so hard for me to get through this! I gave up reading it a little bit more than halfway through! ☹️ No love lost with this one. Next book, please!
September 14, 2017
Thief’s Mark is the seventh book in a series featuring FBI agents Emma Sharpe and Colin Donovan but I haven’t read any of the previous books, I just decided to start here after hearing such good things about this series. There did seem to be very extensive back stories relating to not only the two main characters, but also the secondary ones and I have to admit I felt like I was missing out a little. Neggers did provide some background information as to past events, but I feel like if I had actually read the earlier books I would’ve been better prepared and informed about what exactly was going on, I was missing some subtle nuances. I don’t want to dissuade anyone from reading this as a standalone, just for me personally I feel I would’ve benefited and enjoyed this one more had I been caught up.
Sharpe and Donovan are wrapping up their honeymoon when they get roped into assisting an investigation surrounding an old cold case involving their sometimes friend Oliver. This was a multifaceted mystery, a good old fashioned whodunnit that was on the lighter side, there’s no gore or overly descriptive violence here. There are many various plot threads running through this book and when things came to a head it was unexpected and unpredictable. This has romantic elements and is very much a romantic suspense so if you like a dash of love in a murder mystery, you’ll like this one. I really liked both Sharpe and Donovan, I was sort of reminded of Catherine Coulter’s FBI series with Sherlock and Savich, just not as heavy, so if you like that series give this one a shot!
All of my reviews can be found on www.novelgossip.com
Sharpe and Donovan are wrapping up their honeymoon when they get roped into assisting an investigation surrounding an old cold case involving their sometimes friend Oliver. This was a multifaceted mystery, a good old fashioned whodunnit that was on the lighter side, there’s no gore or overly descriptive violence here. There are many various plot threads running through this book and when things came to a head it was unexpected and unpredictable. This has romantic elements and is very much a romantic suspense so if you like a dash of love in a murder mystery, you’ll like this one. I really liked both Sharpe and Donovan, I was sort of reminded of Catherine Coulter’s FBI series with Sherlock and Savich, just not as heavy, so if you like that series give this one a shot!
All of my reviews can be found on www.novelgossip.com
July 3, 2020
I read the first six books in this series and then I stopped. I decided to try the audio for a change and also because it has Oliver York, a cheeky character from the other books, as a main character. I wasn't disappointed. This book resolved the death of Oliver's parents and his kidnapping. It did get a little confusing with a lot of characters and action on both sides of the pond and well as in England and Scotland.
June 3, 2017
*makes a serious of noncommittal grunts in regards to this book*
Ok, let's get started. I'm ready.
Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from NetGalley.
To be quite frank, the writing in this book did absolutely nothing for me, start to finish. The random, unnecessary details, the things people say to each other, the way characters attempted to sound clever and just weren't... it's not great. Needed a heavy edit.
Let's start with a few choice quotes from the very first scene.
When Colin, an FBI agent who married another FBI agent (the FBI has pretty stringent no-fraternization policies, but we'll get to that), says this to his new wife: "And the tension I see in this green eyes of yours?"
Me: vomits across the room.
Literally no one says that.
As well, Emma, the wife, is described as "sipping her champagne" a grand total of 5 times within the first 5 pages. Seriously. Every time she goes to talk, or is described, she sips her champagne.
Emma is me. She's taking a shot for every time she's annoyed, clearly.
Anyway, let's talk about that FBI marriage thing. The FBI has a pretty stringent no-fraternization policy; that doesn't mean two agents CAN'T be married or get married. But they can't be on the same team, in the same unit, etc. Either Colin or Emma would be reassigned the MINUTE they started dating and possibly disciplined. And getting married? One of them would be moved out of their unit immediately.
So suspend disbelief and buckle your seatbelts.
The plot of this book doesn't make any sense whatsoever. I really struggled to understand why Emma and Colin were even brought in to investigate the main story.
Basically, an art thief named Oliver has been returning the art he stole and working with M15 on blood antiquities. This thief also taunted Emma's granddad for years with handmade sculptures. Oliver, as a child, saw his parents get murdered and was kidnapped. One of his kidnappers turns up on his doorstep with a massive wound and dies; Oliver pulls a runner and goes to Ireland. His gardener, Henrietta, is a former M15 agent too, weirdly, so she also gets involved because no one is a professional.
The plot is promising. I wish it had been handled with better writing because it is good. The characters are insufferable and all have the same personality: they think they're smarter, snarkier, and more clever than they really sound. The constant monologues and "quips" that aren't actually quips, the attempts to sound evasive when they are spilling their guts, the willingness of FBI AND M15 agents to just tell random civilians information about the case... I can only suspend disbelief so much.
Oliver is meant to seem tortured and deep, but mostly he comes off as immature and bored. If I had to guess his age, I'd say 23, but in the book, he's at least 38. 38! Same with Henrietta; I'd guess her at around 25-26, but she's 35 or so. Emma and Colin might as well be bricks they are so boring. The only character that is in anyway interesting is the priest, Finian. The rest could be cardboard cutouts.
The most difficult part of the book is that characters often make snap judgements and assumptions without any context or background. An example of this is that Emma doesn't think it's a coincidence that her and Colin happen to be in Ireland when her grandfather's apartment is broken into. Why? Why does she think that? Do they have enemies? It's never explained. And, funny enough, the break in had NOTHING to do with Emma and Colin being there. Truly insufferable.
Another annoyance is why Henrietta keeps her status as an ex M15 agent secret. What's the point? Why can't people know? Henrietta's character gets close to being interesting, but she spends too much time thinking about Oliver. This book does not pass the Bechdel test, for sure. I want Henrietta to have motivations beyond her employer's dick.
There are so many other annoyances and problems with this book, but I don't need to get into all of them. It's certainly not the worst read, but I found myself confused, quite often, by the jump in perspective and location. It came suddenly, often, with barely even a paragraph break! It was good enough to keep me reading to the end, but I also made about 400 notes throughout that consisted entirely of "this sentence is bad" and "what does this even mean." Nonsensical, bad writing, but a decent plot.
Ok, let's get started. I'm ready.
Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from NetGalley.
To be quite frank, the writing in this book did absolutely nothing for me, start to finish. The random, unnecessary details, the things people say to each other, the way characters attempted to sound clever and just weren't... it's not great. Needed a heavy edit.
Let's start with a few choice quotes from the very first scene.
When Colin, an FBI agent who married another FBI agent (the FBI has pretty stringent no-fraternization policies, but we'll get to that), says this to his new wife: "And the tension I see in this green eyes of yours?"
Me: vomits across the room.
Literally no one says that.
As well, Emma, the wife, is described as "sipping her champagne" a grand total of 5 times within the first 5 pages. Seriously. Every time she goes to talk, or is described, she sips her champagne.
Emma is me. She's taking a shot for every time she's annoyed, clearly.
Anyway, let's talk about that FBI marriage thing. The FBI has a pretty stringent no-fraternization policy; that doesn't mean two agents CAN'T be married or get married. But they can't be on the same team, in the same unit, etc. Either Colin or Emma would be reassigned the MINUTE they started dating and possibly disciplined. And getting married? One of them would be moved out of their unit immediately.
So suspend disbelief and buckle your seatbelts.
The plot of this book doesn't make any sense whatsoever. I really struggled to understand why Emma and Colin were even brought in to investigate the main story.
Basically, an art thief named Oliver has been returning the art he stole and working with M15 on blood antiquities. This thief also taunted Emma's granddad for years with handmade sculptures. Oliver, as a child, saw his parents get murdered and was kidnapped. One of his kidnappers turns up on his doorstep with a massive wound and dies; Oliver pulls a runner and goes to Ireland. His gardener, Henrietta, is a former M15 agent too, weirdly, so she also gets involved because no one is a professional.
The plot is promising. I wish it had been handled with better writing because it is good. The characters are insufferable and all have the same personality: they think they're smarter, snarkier, and more clever than they really sound. The constant monologues and "quips" that aren't actually quips, the attempts to sound evasive when they are spilling their guts, the willingness of FBI AND M15 agents to just tell random civilians information about the case... I can only suspend disbelief so much.
Oliver is meant to seem tortured and deep, but mostly he comes off as immature and bored. If I had to guess his age, I'd say 23, but in the book, he's at least 38. 38! Same with Henrietta; I'd guess her at around 25-26, but she's 35 or so. Emma and Colin might as well be bricks they are so boring. The only character that is in anyway interesting is the priest, Finian. The rest could be cardboard cutouts.
The most difficult part of the book is that characters often make snap judgements and assumptions without any context or background. An example of this is that Emma doesn't think it's a coincidence that her and Colin happen to be in Ireland when her grandfather's apartment is broken into. Why? Why does she think that? Do they have enemies? It's never explained. And, funny enough, the break in had NOTHING to do with Emma and Colin being there. Truly insufferable.
Another annoyance is why Henrietta keeps her status as an ex M15 agent secret. What's the point? Why can't people know? Henrietta's character gets close to being interesting, but she spends too much time thinking about Oliver. This book does not pass the Bechdel test, for sure. I want Henrietta to have motivations beyond her employer's dick.
There are so many other annoyances and problems with this book, but I don't need to get into all of them. It's certainly not the worst read, but I found myself confused, quite often, by the jump in perspective and location. It came suddenly, often, with barely even a paragraph break! It was good enough to keep me reading to the end, but I also made about 400 notes throughout that consisted entirely of "this sentence is bad" and "what does this even mean." Nonsensical, bad writing, but a decent plot.
December 27, 2019
Thief's Mark by Carla Neggers brings a satisfying conclusion to Oliver York's past. Emma and Colin are ready to head home from their honeymoon when a murder occurs at Oliver's home in the Cotswolds. It turns out to be a man from Oliver's traumatic past but was Oliver the murderer? It was an intriguing read with enough twists and turns to keep me engaged. And a possible romance for Oliver - with a MI5 agent. Nice twist.
September 19, 2017
Favorite Quotes:
I never bought the absolute-secrecy thing as a kid. I always figured Father Callaghan would rat me out to my parents if I told him the good stuff. Did you tell your priest all your sins?
He’s a great guy but he can be like an old housecoat. Comfy and no bother.
His flush deepened until he was purple to his hair roots.
My Review:
As I made my way through the complicated tale of Thief’s Mark, and even as I finished that last page, I vacillated in how I felt about the author’s style as well as how to review and rate the book. For the most part, it was like old-timey picture-taking with sepia prints - incrementally slow and causing me to squirm a bit – that was until the last quarter of the book when everything happened on triple zoom speed… like I’d accidentally drank rocket fuel or hit fast forward. However, despite the tortoise/hare like speed of the storyline, I was intrigued, baffled and perplexed by the present circumstances and thirty-year history of the original crime, overwhelmed by the complicated family histories, and blown away by the sheer amount of eccentric characters; yet still completely on the hook for the totally never saw ANY of that coming ending. It was an intricate head-scratcher, but I have to bow to the creativity of the plot and author, she confounded me. I have just recently started to dip into this genre and was unaware of Ms. Neggers’ massive body of work, and have surmised she must be a rather devious character herself to have contrived such a twisty tale populated by a large, peculiar, and cagey cast of characters.
I never bought the absolute-secrecy thing as a kid. I always figured Father Callaghan would rat me out to my parents if I told him the good stuff. Did you tell your priest all your sins?
He’s a great guy but he can be like an old housecoat. Comfy and no bother.
His flush deepened until he was purple to his hair roots.
My Review:
As I made my way through the complicated tale of Thief’s Mark, and even as I finished that last page, I vacillated in how I felt about the author’s style as well as how to review and rate the book. For the most part, it was like old-timey picture-taking with sepia prints - incrementally slow and causing me to squirm a bit – that was until the last quarter of the book when everything happened on triple zoom speed… like I’d accidentally drank rocket fuel or hit fast forward. However, despite the tortoise/hare like speed of the storyline, I was intrigued, baffled and perplexed by the present circumstances and thirty-year history of the original crime, overwhelmed by the complicated family histories, and blown away by the sheer amount of eccentric characters; yet still completely on the hook for the totally never saw ANY of that coming ending. It was an intricate head-scratcher, but I have to bow to the creativity of the plot and author, she confounded me. I have just recently started to dip into this genre and was unaware of Ms. Neggers’ massive body of work, and have surmised she must be a rather devious character herself to have contrived such a twisty tale populated by a large, peculiar, and cagey cast of characters.
May 21, 2019
Oh that was so disappointing.
The mystery portion of these books usually wraps up quickly but this time the conclusion was so convoluted it dragged over pages of pages where Neggar’s tried to make sense of nonsense.
But worse, the romance between Henrietta and Oliver was forced and dry. They had three scenes together.
1. Henrietta showing Oliver an old pot while working his estate garden.
2. Henrietta belligerently interrogating Oliver
3. Oliver says he loves Henrietta.
That’s not a love story for this century, not even in England.
Neggars tried to make it seem like Henrietta had been around, but any series regular knows that’s BS.
It hurts to see this series go downhill.
The mystery portion of these books usually wraps up quickly but this time the conclusion was so convoluted it dragged over pages of pages where Neggar’s tried to make sense of nonsense.
But worse, the romance between Henrietta and Oliver was forced and dry. They had three scenes together.
1. Henrietta showing Oliver an old pot while working his estate garden.
2. Henrietta belligerently interrogating Oliver
3. Oliver says he loves Henrietta.
That’s not a love story for this century, not even in England.
Neggars tried to make it seem like Henrietta had been around, but any series regular knows that’s BS.
It hurts to see this series go downhill.
December 21, 2017
My favorite mystery setting, an English village, and a pair of FBI agents who are definitely out of their geographic element...what more could I want? Throw in an art thief (which I've always found fun and exciting, probably because these art thieves are daring and, well, sort of James Bond-ish, even the women) and a heinous crime from the past and the stage is set for an engrossing read.
Emma's grandfather is an art detective in the private collector realm and has a strange tale for Emma and Colin. It seems that he's had a break-in by someone apparently interested in items connected to one Oliver York. To add a little more mystique, Oliver used to be an accomplished art thief but then became an MI5 agent. Emma and Colin have years-long ties to Oliver through both of his professions but, when a dead man is found at his home, the case becomes ever-expanding and eventually involves multiple countries and law enforcement organizations.
While this is part of the Sharpe & Donovan series, it's essentially a standalone and focuses largely on Oliver. He is a fascinating man and he makes it easy to understand why cops and robbers sometimes can't help liking and even respecting each other. Emma and Colin are a delightful couple as well as being really good agents and Oliver's colleague, Henrietta, is a force of nature but it's Wendell, Emma's grandfather, who really stole my heart. All in all, Thief's Mark was a grand introduction, for me, to this series and the rest of the books are going on my wishlist right now.
Emma's grandfather is an art detective in the private collector realm and has a strange tale for Emma and Colin. It seems that he's had a break-in by someone apparently interested in items connected to one Oliver York. To add a little more mystique, Oliver used to be an accomplished art thief but then became an MI5 agent. Emma and Colin have years-long ties to Oliver through both of his professions but, when a dead man is found at his home, the case becomes ever-expanding and eventually involves multiple countries and law enforcement organizations.
While this is part of the Sharpe & Donovan series, it's essentially a standalone and focuses largely on Oliver. He is a fascinating man and he makes it easy to understand why cops and robbers sometimes can't help liking and even respecting each other. Emma and Colin are a delightful couple as well as being really good agents and Oliver's colleague, Henrietta, is a force of nature but it's Wendell, Emma's grandfather, who really stole my heart. All in all, Thief's Mark was a grand introduction, for me, to this series and the rest of the books are going on my wishlist right now.
August 28, 2017
Big thanks to MIRA for the advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.
This was my first book by Carla Neggers and I think that to do this justice I need to go back and read the other books in this series. THIEF'S MARK is book 7 in the Sharpe and Donovan series, and while it can read as a standalone, I did feel a little lost. With that being said, it was still a good procedural and lighter mystery read.
Oliver York had witnessed the murder of his parents while in their London home. The killers had kidnapped him and held him hostage in hopes of a high ransom. He managed to escape them and has been on the run for almost 30 years. Now, he thinks that one of his kidnappers has resurfaced.
Meanwhile, Emma Sharpe and Colin Donovan are on their honeymoon in Ireland. Emma is alerted to a break in at her grandfather's home. Wendell Sharpe was an art detective and all signs point to Oliver. Oliver is an expert in Celtic mythology and is an international art thief who has managed to escape Wendell many times throughout the years. Emma and Colin head straight for Oliver to solve this mystery, but when they arrive they find a body and Oliver has disappeared.
Could this murder have something to do with Oliver's horrific and traumatizing past? Can they trust Oliver? Will they be able to track him down and solve this mystery before the killer strikes again?
While the premise was awesome and had my attention, I felt like it fell flat in some spots. I think for a mystery and procedural there was too much of the romance element for my liking. Neggers did do a great job adding in some background information on Sharpe and Donovan while weaving this new story. I felt that kind of helped with connecting with the characters better. I do think I would need to go back and read some more of the series.
Overall, if you want a slower build and lighter mystery, then this the one for you! If you don't mind some romance with your murder mystery and a slower pace, then make sure you pick this one up. I did enjoy the writing style and will more than likely be revisiting Neggers' other novels.
I give this one 3.5/5 stars!
This was my first book by Carla Neggers and I think that to do this justice I need to go back and read the other books in this series. THIEF'S MARK is book 7 in the Sharpe and Donovan series, and while it can read as a standalone, I did feel a little lost. With that being said, it was still a good procedural and lighter mystery read.
Oliver York had witnessed the murder of his parents while in their London home. The killers had kidnapped him and held him hostage in hopes of a high ransom. He managed to escape them and has been on the run for almost 30 years. Now, he thinks that one of his kidnappers has resurfaced.
Meanwhile, Emma Sharpe and Colin Donovan are on their honeymoon in Ireland. Emma is alerted to a break in at her grandfather's home. Wendell Sharpe was an art detective and all signs point to Oliver. Oliver is an expert in Celtic mythology and is an international art thief who has managed to escape Wendell many times throughout the years. Emma and Colin head straight for Oliver to solve this mystery, but when they arrive they find a body and Oliver has disappeared.
Could this murder have something to do with Oliver's horrific and traumatizing past? Can they trust Oliver? Will they be able to track him down and solve this mystery before the killer strikes again?
While the premise was awesome and had my attention, I felt like it fell flat in some spots. I think for a mystery and procedural there was too much of the romance element for my liking. Neggers did do a great job adding in some background information on Sharpe and Donovan while weaving this new story. I felt that kind of helped with connecting with the characters better. I do think I would need to go back and read some more of the series.
Overall, if you want a slower build and lighter mystery, then this the one for you! If you don't mind some romance with your murder mystery and a slower pace, then make sure you pick this one up. I did enjoy the writing style and will more than likely be revisiting Neggers' other novels.
I give this one 3.5/5 stars!
September 13, 2021
This 7th book in the Sharpe & Donovan series stars Oliver York. He saw his parents murdered and was kidnapped as an eight-year-old. He grew up to be a mythologist and thief. Wendell Sharpe had been on his trail since his second theft from an Amsterdam museum. But he began his career in art thievery by stealing paintings an a Celtic cross from a home in Declan's Cross.
Now his history in theft is known but for a number of reasons, including his usefulness to MI5, he hasn't been arrI lested or prosecuted. In fact, he's never admitted to being the thief Wendell Sharpe and the FBI hunted for so many years.
For all the 30-some years since his kidnapping, he's been looking for the two men who killed his parents and kidnapped him. Even so, he didn't expect to find one of them murdered at his home in the Cotswolds.
Henrietta Balfour was a neighbor of Oliver's since childhood. She was farmed off to her great aunt's whenever her parents wanted to do things without her which was most of the time. Henrietta became an expert gardener under her aunt's care but she also followed her favorite grandfather into working with MI5. She's left MI5 - a case of burn out - and is trying to establish herself as a garden designer. One of her first commissions is at Oliver's house which puts her right there when the body is discovered.
I enjoyed the story and especially liked that Oliver finds romance with Henrietta. He's been such an intriguing character through so many of the earlier books in the series. I liked the way the past was woven into this story and I liked that Oliver finally found out what happened when his parents died.
Now his history in theft is known but for a number of reasons, including his usefulness to MI5, he hasn't been arrI lested or prosecuted. In fact, he's never admitted to being the thief Wendell Sharpe and the FBI hunted for so many years.
For all the 30-some years since his kidnapping, he's been looking for the two men who killed his parents and kidnapped him. Even so, he didn't expect to find one of them murdered at his home in the Cotswolds.
Henrietta Balfour was a neighbor of Oliver's since childhood. She was farmed off to her great aunt's whenever her parents wanted to do things without her which was most of the time. Henrietta became an expert gardener under her aunt's care but she also followed her favorite grandfather into working with MI5. She's left MI5 - a case of burn out - and is trying to establish herself as a garden designer. One of her first commissions is at Oliver's house which puts her right there when the body is discovered.
I enjoyed the story and especially liked that Oliver finds romance with Henrietta. He's been such an intriguing character through so many of the earlier books in the series. I liked the way the past was woven into this story and I liked that Oliver finally found out what happened when his parents died.
March 25, 2021
Thief's Mark was another excellent installment in the Sharpe & Donovan series that delves into the past of the mysterious Oliver York.
As a child Oliver York witnessed his parents' murder and was subsequently kidnapped by the killers before he managed to escape sending the men on the run. Thirty years later, one of his kidnappers resurfaces sending Oliver's life off track. While enjoying the last day of their honeymoon, Emma Sharpe and Colin Donovan receive news of a break-in at Emma's grandfather's home which points to Oliver. When the pair arrive at Oliver's estate to confront him, they find a man dead and Oliver nowhere to be found. With questions mounting, Emma and Colin must work fast to unravel a mystery three decades in the making before a killer strikes again.
Oliver has been one of the more interesting characters introduced in this series, so I was excited to see we were finally getting a book centered on him. The mystery of the identity of the dead man on Oliver's estate was solved much quicker than I expected as was Oliver's disappearance. The connection to the murder of Oliver's parents and his kidnapping only made the situation more interesting. I was curious how the author was going to tie current events to the ones from thirty years ago and I have to say I was pleasantly surprised by how it was done. While Emma and Colin are working on the case, Oliver himself is also looking into things with Henrietta, an old acquaintance of Oliver's who used to work for MI5. I enjoyed the two parallel investigations and I thought everything was wrapped up well in a suspenseful ending.
Emma and Colin's relationship continues to be fantastic and I love how far these two have come, from reluctant allies to husband and wife. Both Emma and Colin have come a long way in terms of their ability to open up as well as how trusting they can be. Granted due to Colin's status as an undercover agent he can't tell her everything but they don't let that get in the way of their relationship. I enjoy watching these two work together and this book was no exception. Emma and Colin have very different styles when it comes to their work, but I think those differences are what make them work so well as a team. Honestly it would probably be a bit boring if they both approached situations the same way, plus they'd miss a lot by not looking at things from a different angle.
Overall Thief's Mark was just as amazing as the previous books in the series and I'm looking forward to reading the next book in the series, Impostor's Lure, soon. I highly recommend this series if you're looking for some great romantic suspense.
As a child Oliver York witnessed his parents' murder and was subsequently kidnapped by the killers before he managed to escape sending the men on the run. Thirty years later, one of his kidnappers resurfaces sending Oliver's life off track. While enjoying the last day of their honeymoon, Emma Sharpe and Colin Donovan receive news of a break-in at Emma's grandfather's home which points to Oliver. When the pair arrive at Oliver's estate to confront him, they find a man dead and Oliver nowhere to be found. With questions mounting, Emma and Colin must work fast to unravel a mystery three decades in the making before a killer strikes again.
Oliver has been one of the more interesting characters introduced in this series, so I was excited to see we were finally getting a book centered on him. The mystery of the identity of the dead man on Oliver's estate was solved much quicker than I expected as was Oliver's disappearance. The connection to the murder of Oliver's parents and his kidnapping only made the situation more interesting. I was curious how the author was going to tie current events to the ones from thirty years ago and I have to say I was pleasantly surprised by how it was done. While Emma and Colin are working on the case, Oliver himself is also looking into things with Henrietta, an old acquaintance of Oliver's who used to work for MI5. I enjoyed the two parallel investigations and I thought everything was wrapped up well in a suspenseful ending.
Emma and Colin's relationship continues to be fantastic and I love how far these two have come, from reluctant allies to husband and wife. Both Emma and Colin have come a long way in terms of their ability to open up as well as how trusting they can be. Granted due to Colin's status as an undercover agent he can't tell her everything but they don't let that get in the way of their relationship. I enjoy watching these two work together and this book was no exception. Emma and Colin have very different styles when it comes to their work, but I think those differences are what make them work so well as a team. Honestly it would probably be a bit boring if they both approached situations the same way, plus they'd miss a lot by not looking at things from a different angle.
Overall Thief's Mark was just as amazing as the previous books in the series and I'm looking forward to reading the next book in the series, Impostor's Lure, soon. I highly recommend this series if you're looking for some great romantic suspense.
August 17, 2017
We've learned a lot about Oliver York in the previous 6 books in this series. In this book, he comes into even more focus when one of the man who kidnapped him as a boy, returns. And then dies in Oliver's arms. Oliver is the easy person to pick as prime suspect. But there is, of course, more to the story.
Emma Sharpe and Colin Donovan are on the last day of their honeymoon when the call comes in that Oliver is once again embroiled in a mystery. Also on the scene, Oliver's gardener, Henrietta, (a former British secret service agent) and a man who has been with him since childhood, Martin.
Weaving together the characters that Ms. Neggers has created in the Sharpe and Donovan universe, the dead man visited Father Finian the day before he died. I like that there is a concrete reason for previous characters to be woven in, they're not just plugged in willy-nilly to remind you that this is a series.
Books can always be read out of order in a series but I definitely wouldn't recommend it for this one. I think regular Neggers readers are going to be pleased with this addition to the series.
Emma Sharpe and Colin Donovan are on the last day of their honeymoon when the call comes in that Oliver is once again embroiled in a mystery. Also on the scene, Oliver's gardener, Henrietta, (a former British secret service agent) and a man who has been with him since childhood, Martin.
Weaving together the characters that Ms. Neggers has created in the Sharpe and Donovan universe, the dead man visited Father Finian the day before he died. I like that there is a concrete reason for previous characters to be woven in, they're not just plugged in willy-nilly to remind you that this is a series.
Books can always be read out of order in a series but I definitely wouldn't recommend it for this one. I think regular Neggers readers are going to be pleased with this addition to the series.
February 11, 2018
Another good mystery read in CN's Sharp and Donovan series. In this book the reader learns more about Oliver York and the mystery of his past is finally solved. Emma and Colin are great as always as is Finian. A new character appears as a love interest for Oliver. Recommended but it is best to read the series in order.
September 17, 2017
I wonder what else they'll do?! Hmmmmmmm
January 28, 2024
Boring boring boring
September 6, 2017
Here is a link to my review:
https://perfectretort.blogspot.com/20...
https://perfectretort.blogspot.com/20...
September 26, 2017
My review is tainted by the fact that I haven't read the previous novels. I just wasn't attached to any of the characters. I did find Oliver and Henrietta to be engaging. If they get their own series, I may pick that up. Emma and Colin were rather bland and uninteresting to me, and I am not all that interested in their back story.
I will read Carla Neggars again, but probably not pick up in the middle of a series.
I will read Carla Neggars again, but probably not pick up in the middle of a series.
September 7, 2017
**I received this book through a Goodreads Giveaway**
Bangs head repeatedly against wall.
Okay. So.
I love murder mysteries, I love the atmosphere that can be created by having a Celtic setting, and I had high hopes for this book.
But literally from page one, with this little snippet . . .
"And the tension I see in those green eyes of yours?"
. . . I wasn't exactly in love. I considered writing this review as a drinking game (take a shot every time the FBI or MI6/MI6 are mentioned, take two shots every time one of Oliver's merits is mentioned, etc) but I didn't want to be responsible for any alcohol poisoning. The prose felt so freaking repetitive. Even the characters were copies of each other, and I felt zero connection to anyone. Who are Donovan & Sharpe, you may ask? Well, I sure as heck don't know. They all blurred together, these pretty, flawless, unshakeable Special Agents.
I think part of the problem was that everything was told. Oliver is constantly described as a sly and cheeky thief, but we never actually see this side of him. All the details about the people and the actual events were relayed second-hand, so I never felt part this story's world. There was no sense of place, no sense of urgency, no real ANYTHING. I was actually skipping parts of the climax so I could finish. Also, to put the cherry on top, we had to have some #instalove between Henrietta and Oliver. Henrietta is so irritatingly relaxed with his confession (because *gasp* we couldn't have our pretty special person get ruffled!) and it comes out of nowhere.
Plus -bear with me, as this review turns into more of a rant- what even is this scene?
"Don't follow me. I'll shoot you if you do."
Henrietta leaped at him without warning, and Oliver pounced, kicking the gun from SPOILER's hand.
WHAT? If you're a sociopathic killer with an unwavering aim, why don't you SHOOT? How is this possible without being ridiculous? It's suggested they aren't within snatching distance, so you're saying they both had time to cross the gap between them, do some funky martial arts (did we mention Oliver has a black-belt?) without trigger-happy SPOILER firing a single shot? And lets say it is possible, why did they wait so long into the monologue to act?
Anyway. What do I know.
*another deep breath*
However. The premise itself was great, and I did like the general idea. I feel like there's the bones of something truly amazing here, but for me, it just wasn't fleshed out enough to enjoy. This read wasn't meant to be hard-hitting crime, so maybe I'm being unfairly harsh, but no, it wasn't my cup of tea. This being said, I wouldn't dissuade anyone from reading it. If you're looking for a light crime drama, then this might be your next favourite book. Who knows?
Bangs head repeatedly against wall.
Okay. So.
I love murder mysteries, I love the atmosphere that can be created by having a Celtic setting, and I had high hopes for this book.
But literally from page one, with this little snippet . . .
"And the tension I see in those green eyes of yours?"
. . . I wasn't exactly in love. I considered writing this review as a drinking game (take a shot every time the FBI or MI6/MI6 are mentioned, take two shots every time one of Oliver's merits is mentioned, etc) but I didn't want to be responsible for any alcohol poisoning. The prose felt so freaking repetitive. Even the characters were copies of each other, and I felt zero connection to anyone. Who are Donovan & Sharpe, you may ask? Well, I sure as heck don't know. They all blurred together, these pretty, flawless, unshakeable Special Agents.
I think part of the problem was that everything was told. Oliver is constantly described as a sly and cheeky thief, but we never actually see this side of him. All the details about the people and the actual events were relayed second-hand, so I never felt part this story's world. There was no sense of place, no sense of urgency, no real ANYTHING. I was actually skipping parts of the climax so I could finish. Also, to put the cherry on top, we had to have some #instalove between Henrietta and Oliver. Henrietta is so irritatingly relaxed with his confession (because *gasp* we couldn't have our pretty special person get ruffled!) and it comes out of nowhere.
Plus -bear with me, as this review turns into more of a rant- what even is this scene?
"Don't follow me. I'll shoot you if you do."
Henrietta leaped at him without warning, and Oliver pounced, kicking the gun from SPOILER's hand.
WHAT? If you're a sociopathic killer with an unwavering aim, why don't you SHOOT? How is this possible without being ridiculous? It's suggested they aren't within snatching distance, so you're saying they both had time to cross the gap between them, do some funky martial arts (did we mention Oliver has a black-belt?) without trigger-happy SPOILER firing a single shot? And lets say it is possible, why did they wait so long into the monologue to act?
Anyway. What do I know.
*another deep breath*
However. The premise itself was great, and I did like the general idea. I feel like there's the bones of something truly amazing here, but for me, it just wasn't fleshed out enough to enjoy. This read wasn't meant to be hard-hitting crime, so maybe I'm being unfairly harsh, but no, it wasn't my cup of tea. This being said, I wouldn't dissuade anyone from reading it. If you're looking for a light crime drama, then this might be your next favourite book. Who knows?
September 20, 2017
“Thief’s Mark” opens with a murder and kidnapping only to have one of the killers appear in the Cotswolds at the farm of wealthy and solitary Oliver York years later. Bleeding out after an artery’s slashed Oliver struggles to save the life of murderer Davy Driscoll only to be left with a few cryptic words before he dies.
Meanwhile Emma Sharpe and new husband Colin Donovan on the final day of their honeymoon in Ireland are investigating a break-in at Wendall Sharpe’s home which seems to be connected to Oliver, once an international art thief who for years goaded her grandfather, the owner of Sharpe’s Fine Art Recovery. With a murder and the disappearance of Oliver who’s also searching for answers Emma and Colin postpone their meetings with their FBI team in London to take a closer look at the investigation underway.
From a trail that takes the investigation from a small village in Ireland to ruins in Scotland and even touching down in the United States the plot focuses more on Oliver York and M15’s Henrietta Balfour as they uncover secrets and lies in a thirty-year-old cold case with Emma and Colin working on the sidelines. Yet the pace is fast and the action never slows as clues to a mysterious murder and break-in are intrinsically linked to the past.
Gripping in intensity and well-written in her naturally flowing style Carla Neggers draws the reader in to a compelling story filled with the sights, sounds, culture and beauty of an Ireland rich in Celtic lore. Building danger and suspense including a missing murder weapon, the murdered victim’s confession to Father Bracken, the recovery of Oliver’s mother’s paintings and a forgotten discovery in the woods the plot keeps you on the edge of your seat from beginning to an ending with surprising twists.
Yet amid all the secrets and lies the love between Emma and Colin continues to glow while romance percolates between Oliver and Henrietta. And even fleeing to the priesthood for solace from the heartbreak of his loss, Father Finian Bracken can’t forget the talented artist he’s left behind in Ireland.
Like the plot the characters are unforgettable infusing it with energy, depth and excitement; like the strong-minded and observant FBI Special Agent Colin Donovan and his wife, ex-nun, former art expert and current FBI agent, the alert and clever Emma Sharpe. Haunted by a tragic childhood past, sexy former art thief turned M15 consultant Oliver York can be irreverent, enigmatic, and larcenous. A solitary individual he’s attracted to former M15 agent turned garden designer the eccentric and amusing Henrietta Balfour. Intrepid, efficient, decisive and self-assured, Henrietta in turn dreams of a more intimate relationship with her childhood friend.
I liked “Thief’s Mark” and look forward to reading other novels in this fascinating series.
Meanwhile Emma Sharpe and new husband Colin Donovan on the final day of their honeymoon in Ireland are investigating a break-in at Wendall Sharpe’s home which seems to be connected to Oliver, once an international art thief who for years goaded her grandfather, the owner of Sharpe’s Fine Art Recovery. With a murder and the disappearance of Oliver who’s also searching for answers Emma and Colin postpone their meetings with their FBI team in London to take a closer look at the investigation underway.
From a trail that takes the investigation from a small village in Ireland to ruins in Scotland and even touching down in the United States the plot focuses more on Oliver York and M15’s Henrietta Balfour as they uncover secrets and lies in a thirty-year-old cold case with Emma and Colin working on the sidelines. Yet the pace is fast and the action never slows as clues to a mysterious murder and break-in are intrinsically linked to the past.
Gripping in intensity and well-written in her naturally flowing style Carla Neggers draws the reader in to a compelling story filled with the sights, sounds, culture and beauty of an Ireland rich in Celtic lore. Building danger and suspense including a missing murder weapon, the murdered victim’s confession to Father Bracken, the recovery of Oliver’s mother’s paintings and a forgotten discovery in the woods the plot keeps you on the edge of your seat from beginning to an ending with surprising twists.
Yet amid all the secrets and lies the love between Emma and Colin continues to glow while romance percolates between Oliver and Henrietta. And even fleeing to the priesthood for solace from the heartbreak of his loss, Father Finian Bracken can’t forget the talented artist he’s left behind in Ireland.
Like the plot the characters are unforgettable infusing it with energy, depth and excitement; like the strong-minded and observant FBI Special Agent Colin Donovan and his wife, ex-nun, former art expert and current FBI agent, the alert and clever Emma Sharpe. Haunted by a tragic childhood past, sexy former art thief turned M15 consultant Oliver York can be irreverent, enigmatic, and larcenous. A solitary individual he’s attracted to former M15 agent turned garden designer the eccentric and amusing Henrietta Balfour. Intrepid, efficient, decisive and self-assured, Henrietta in turn dreams of a more intimate relationship with her childhood friend.
I liked “Thief’s Mark” and look forward to reading other novels in this fascinating series.
October 6, 2017
This review is also available on my blog, Read Till Dawn.
I know I've said this before, but I'm a huge murder mystery fan. Agatha Christie is my gold standard, but I'm always open to trying out new murder writers. That's why I jumped at the offer to participate in a TLC tour for Carla Neggers's Thief's Mark.
The one downside to starting my exploration of Neggers's books with Thief's Mark, however, is that it's actually the seventh book in the "Sharpe and Donovan" series. For you the review reader, this means that I need to warn you now: there are definitely going to be some spoilers for the earlier books in the series. For me as the reviewer, it means that my experience of the book was a little more . . . well, muddled than it was probably intended to be.
Because there are a huge amount of characters in Thief's Mark, not all of whom seem strictly necessary. I can tell that a lot of groundwork was laid in this story universe in the previous books, and that the author and readers have become indoctrinated and invested into all these different people/agencies, but as an outsider to the series I mainly just found them confusing. There were several times when I had to pause and do some calculations to figure out who a minor character was. Also, it's a very international book–set primarily in England and Ireland with characters from both of those countries as well as from America–but I didn't feel like Neggers did a good job separating out the different dialects. I kept forgetting which characters were supposed to have which accents, because they all just sounded American in my head. The author's American-ness probably didn't help with this.
As for the actual mystery, it's a very intriguing one (though I still don't quite understand the motive as it was explained in the end). And I did like the main characters who were investigating it. Two of them are on their honeymoon, which could have resulted in some icky scenes but was handled very tastefully. The third main investigator/suspect, Henrietta, actually provides the most sensual material in the book: she has one or two fairly-explicit daydreams about being in bed with one of the male main characters. I personally did not feel the need to read that.
As murder mysteries go, Thief's Mark is a very good one. It's definitely much more plot- and mystery-focused than most of the Christian murder mysteries I usually find myself reading (which often devolve into long character studies), so I may well pick up more of Neggers's books in the future. But I have to say that Agatha Christie is still, forever and always, my favorite crime writer.
Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher in order to participate in a TLC tour.
I know I've said this before, but I'm a huge murder mystery fan. Agatha Christie is my gold standard, but I'm always open to trying out new murder writers. That's why I jumped at the offer to participate in a TLC tour for Carla Neggers's Thief's Mark.
The one downside to starting my exploration of Neggers's books with Thief's Mark, however, is that it's actually the seventh book in the "Sharpe and Donovan" series. For you the review reader, this means that I need to warn you now: there are definitely going to be some spoilers for the earlier books in the series. For me as the reviewer, it means that my experience of the book was a little more . . . well, muddled than it was probably intended to be.
Because there are a huge amount of characters in Thief's Mark, not all of whom seem strictly necessary. I can tell that a lot of groundwork was laid in this story universe in the previous books, and that the author and readers have become indoctrinated and invested into all these different people/agencies, but as an outsider to the series I mainly just found them confusing. There were several times when I had to pause and do some calculations to figure out who a minor character was. Also, it's a very international book–set primarily in England and Ireland with characters from both of those countries as well as from America–but I didn't feel like Neggers did a good job separating out the different dialects. I kept forgetting which characters were supposed to have which accents, because they all just sounded American in my head. The author's American-ness probably didn't help with this.
As for the actual mystery, it's a very intriguing one (though I still don't quite understand the motive as it was explained in the end). And I did like the main characters who were investigating it. Two of them are on their honeymoon, which could have resulted in some icky scenes but was handled very tastefully. The third main investigator/suspect, Henrietta, actually provides the most sensual material in the book: she has one or two fairly-explicit daydreams about being in bed with one of the male main characters. I personally did not feel the need to read that.
As murder mysteries go, Thief's Mark is a very good one. It's definitely much more plot- and mystery-focused than most of the Christian murder mysteries I usually find myself reading (which often devolve into long character studies), so I may well pick up more of Neggers's books in the future. But I have to say that Agatha Christie is still, forever and always, my favorite crime writer.
Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher in order to participate in a TLC tour.
August 28, 2017
I am always on the lookout for new authors to add to my favourites and I had never read a novel by Carla Neggers before, so I was pretty excited to dive into this one.
The novel’s premise is very interesting, but also a little confusing, so let me do my best to try and give a small summary: a man (Oliver), witnessed a terrible tragedy as a child (his parent’s murdered and then being the victim of a kidnapping), is in danger after one of the men who tormented him surfaces. Enter Emma Sharpe and Colin Donovan, newly married and on the tail end of their Irish honeymoon, postpone their meetings with their elite FBI team to try and help Oliver. However, when they arrive, they find a dead man at his home and Oliver vanished. As danger mounts, they must unravel old secrets and bring justice. Follow that?
Now I’ll be honest, going into this novel, I didn’t know that this was the seventh in a series, so I was a little bit surprised to find myself so disoriented in the beginning. The story begins immediately. Now, don’t get me wrong, the author does a good job at easing the reader into the story, but I absolutely felt like I was missing huge chunks of a backstory and the character relationships. I also felt a little bit confused with the location and settings in the story; they seem to jump around quite randomly without much warning. I would find myself getting into the story and then leaping across somewhere else. I do feel like this had more to do with my copy on Netgalley and not the writer’s ability because it is very obvious this woman can write! However, it was a little distracting nonetheless.
The romance aspect, which I know has been a big complaint for some, was one of my favourite features of this novel. I love when an author can bring a little bit of edge and keep a romantic element. It helps bring some hope to all the doom and gloom in a typical police procedural. I was a huge fan of Emma and Colin and would absolutely read more into the series to see how they came to be a couple and gain some perspective.
If you like a police procedural with multiple elements moving simultaneously, then I believe this one will catch your interest!
The novel’s premise is very interesting, but also a little confusing, so let me do my best to try and give a small summary: a man (Oliver), witnessed a terrible tragedy as a child (his parent’s murdered and then being the victim of a kidnapping), is in danger after one of the men who tormented him surfaces. Enter Emma Sharpe and Colin Donovan, newly married and on the tail end of their Irish honeymoon, postpone their meetings with their elite FBI team to try and help Oliver. However, when they arrive, they find a dead man at his home and Oliver vanished. As danger mounts, they must unravel old secrets and bring justice. Follow that?
Now I’ll be honest, going into this novel, I didn’t know that this was the seventh in a series, so I was a little bit surprised to find myself so disoriented in the beginning. The story begins immediately. Now, don’t get me wrong, the author does a good job at easing the reader into the story, but I absolutely felt like I was missing huge chunks of a backstory and the character relationships. I also felt a little bit confused with the location and settings in the story; they seem to jump around quite randomly without much warning. I would find myself getting into the story and then leaping across somewhere else. I do feel like this had more to do with my copy on Netgalley and not the writer’s ability because it is very obvious this woman can write! However, it was a little distracting nonetheless.
The romance aspect, which I know has been a big complaint for some, was one of my favourite features of this novel. I love when an author can bring a little bit of edge and keep a romantic element. It helps bring some hope to all the doom and gloom in a typical police procedural. I was a huge fan of Emma and Colin and would absolutely read more into the series to see how they came to be a couple and gain some perspective.
If you like a police procedural with multiple elements moving simultaneously, then I believe this one will catch your interest!
October 12, 2017
I have a tendency to job head first into a series, with whatever book I find first. This was not a 100% of a good idea with this series, as the lives of most of the characters are pretty complicated. However it didn't take me long to get into the story, which I loved, even though the pacing was very slow.
I loved the setting and more than that I loved Emma and Colin. I like stories with established relationships. The book opens as Emma and Colin are finishing up their honeymoon. Even better, as the story goes along, I learned Emma was once a nun! I really have to go back and read the earlier books, just to learn how she came to marry Colin. This is the seventh installment of the Sharpe and Donovan series.
There are so many characters in this intricate mystery, that involves a thirty year old murder and a child, who was kidnapped and is now a grown man, turned art thief, turned MI5 informant. Oliver reminds me a bit of Neal Caffery from White Collar. He's a criminal but he's lovable. You can definitely understand why Henrietta has feelings she's trying to hide from him.
Most of the action takes place in the last quarter of the book. Its a slow buildup, kind of like a children's toy that you wind up and then let it loose. Once the action starts, it doesn't stop and the end results definitely aren't what you are likely expecting.
I liked the complexity of the secondary characters that really felt more like main characters; Martin, Ruthie, Henrietta, and Finian to name but a few and of course the dog, Alfred, named after Batman's butler.
The setting is fabulous. I really hope to get the other books so that this series will pull together for me.
I loved the setting and more than that I loved Emma and Colin. I like stories with established relationships. The book opens as Emma and Colin are finishing up their honeymoon. Even better, as the story goes along, I learned Emma was once a nun! I really have to go back and read the earlier books, just to learn how she came to marry Colin. This is the seventh installment of the Sharpe and Donovan series.
There are so many characters in this intricate mystery, that involves a thirty year old murder and a child, who was kidnapped and is now a grown man, turned art thief, turned MI5 informant. Oliver reminds me a bit of Neal Caffery from White Collar. He's a criminal but he's lovable. You can definitely understand why Henrietta has feelings she's trying to hide from him.
Most of the action takes place in the last quarter of the book. Its a slow buildup, kind of like a children's toy that you wind up and then let it loose. Once the action starts, it doesn't stop and the end results definitely aren't what you are likely expecting.
I liked the complexity of the secondary characters that really felt more like main characters; Martin, Ruthie, Henrietta, and Finian to name but a few and of course the dog, Alfred, named after Batman's butler.
The setting is fabulous. I really hope to get the other books so that this series will pull together for me.
September 28, 2017
Posted on What I'm Reading
Oh boy Thief's Mark is probably not the story to have started with in the series. Yep, I giant head to desk moment. Don't get me wrong it wasn't a bad book, but definitely not one to start where I did. Yes, these characters are way established. Come on they are on their honeymoon by the time I'm starting. However, I was intrigued by the cover. Okay, totally love the cover. Yes, this is one of my downfalls. Second downfall would be starting a book that is not the beginning of a series. By the way, definitely recommend don't do that for this series. Seriously, a big fat don't.
Yes, I was extremely slow on the uptake here. Yes, I did have a little trouble keeping up on all the things going on in the story. Like in the blurb they were pretty much everywhere in the story trying to solve the case. Totally sucked for Emma and Collin, because they were on their honeymoon, but they needed to help Oliver before he got into more trouble.
Overall, not a bad story. Again, I probably should have read the previous books in the series to see how Emma and Collin worked together, as we know I didn't. Who knows, I might checkout the previous books from the library to see if I like the series. As a team I think I like Emma and Collin, they seem like they work well together.
Copy provided by Harlequin via NetGalley
Oh boy Thief's Mark is probably not the story to have started with in the series. Yep, I giant head to desk moment. Don't get me wrong it wasn't a bad book, but definitely not one to start where I did. Yes, these characters are way established. Come on they are on their honeymoon by the time I'm starting. However, I was intrigued by the cover. Okay, totally love the cover. Yes, this is one of my downfalls. Second downfall would be starting a book that is not the beginning of a series. By the way, definitely recommend don't do that for this series. Seriously, a big fat don't.
Yes, I was extremely slow on the uptake here. Yes, I did have a little trouble keeping up on all the things going on in the story. Like in the blurb they were pretty much everywhere in the story trying to solve the case. Totally sucked for Emma and Collin, because they were on their honeymoon, but they needed to help Oliver before he got into more trouble.
Overall, not a bad story. Again, I probably should have read the previous books in the series to see how Emma and Collin worked together, as we know I didn't. Who knows, I might checkout the previous books from the library to see if I like the series. As a team I think I like Emma and Collin, they seem like they work well together.
Copy provided by Harlequin via NetGalley
January 15, 2018
Great book. Hope this is not the last in this series. Seems to tie everything up.... I love to read more about their lives....
As a young boy, Oliver York witnessed the murder of his wealthy parents in their London apartment. The killers kidnapped him and held him in an isolated Scottish ruin, but he escaped, thwarting their plans for ransom. Now, after thirty years on the run, one of the two men Oliver identified as his tormentors may have surfaced.
Emma Sharpe and Colin Donovan are enjoying the final day of their Irish honeymoon when a break-in at the home of Emma's grandfather, private art detective Wendell Sharpe, points to Oliver. The Sharpes have a complicated relationship with the likable, reclusive Englishman, an expert in Celtic mythology and international art thief who taunted Wendell for years. Emma and Colin postpone meetings in London with their elite FBI team and head straight to Oliver. But when they arrive at York's country home, a man is dead and Oliver has vanished.
As the danger mounts, new questions arise about Oliver's account of his boyhood trauma. Do Emma and Colin dare trust him? With the trail leading beyond Oliver's small village to Ireland, Scotland and their own turf in the US, the stakes are high, and Emma and Colin must unravel the decades-old tangle of secrets and lies before a killer strikes again.
As a young boy, Oliver York witnessed the murder of his wealthy parents in their London apartment. The killers kidnapped him and held him in an isolated Scottish ruin, but he escaped, thwarting their plans for ransom. Now, after thirty years on the run, one of the two men Oliver identified as his tormentors may have surfaced.
Emma Sharpe and Colin Donovan are enjoying the final day of their Irish honeymoon when a break-in at the home of Emma's grandfather, private art detective Wendell Sharpe, points to Oliver. The Sharpes have a complicated relationship with the likable, reclusive Englishman, an expert in Celtic mythology and international art thief who taunted Wendell for years. Emma and Colin postpone meetings in London with their elite FBI team and head straight to Oliver. But when they arrive at York's country home, a man is dead and Oliver has vanished.
As the danger mounts, new questions arise about Oliver's account of his boyhood trauma. Do Emma and Colin dare trust him? With the trail leading beyond Oliver's small village to Ireland, Scotland and their own turf in the US, the stakes are high, and Emma and Colin must unravel the decades-old tangle of secrets and lies before a killer strikes again.
September 6, 2017
Carla Neggars is a master of suspense. This book has murder, mystery, suspense and a little romance thrown in. This is her 7th Sharpe and Donovan novel and these FBI agents do not disappoint at all. This story spans places from the United States, England, Scotland and Ireland and does so effortlessly. Poor Oliver had witnessed his parents murders thirty years ago. The killers were still at large, but M16 and the FBI are still on the case. The vividness of the surroundings are exquisite. I felt as if I were in Ireland and the Cotswolds, England. It is rich in characters and all are important to the story. The characters are all complex in their own way. I came to know them well. This book is intense and will keep you turning the pages, but you will never guess what is coming at the end. I was blown away! It is a well-plotted story and nothing is as it seems. It is rich in dialogue and the pages come to life through the words. You will be enthralled and very surprised at the ending, believe me. Neggers weaves a story like no other. The sights and sounds bring you into this book. You are there. I love a good mystery and this book did not disappoint. I highly recommend this one! It is another Carla Neggers masterpiece! Suspense at its best!
September 19, 2017
Emma Sharpe and Colin Donovan finally get some alone time … and what happens? Their FBI duties call, and in a big way. Their pal Oliver York finds himself in some hot water, and he might not be able to get out of it himself.
This adventure was full of good nuggets… Irish history, family secrets, betrayal, art, and the sanctity of Catholic confession. I was a little disappointed that I didn’t get as much of the Emma-Colin banter I’m used to. These newlyweds had to put up more of a united front in this book… and good thing for Oliver that they did!
To add to the “more mystery, less romance” tack, Neggers wrote some quirky characters that threw me off my Sharpe&Donovan game. I expected the usual one or two odd ducks, but Neggers painted quirkiness over pretty much a whole family. It’s a great character study for sure.
This is a terrific series if you’re a fan of romantic suspense, Ireland, New England, and the FBI. Start with the first book, because you don’t want to miss the fun tension.
Netgalley provided an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.
https://randombookmuses.com/2017/09/1...
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
This adventure was full of good nuggets… Irish history, family secrets, betrayal, art, and the sanctity of Catholic confession. I was a little disappointed that I didn’t get as much of the Emma-Colin banter I’m used to. These newlyweds had to put up more of a united front in this book… and good thing for Oliver that they did!
To add to the “more mystery, less romance” tack, Neggers wrote some quirky characters that threw me off my Sharpe&Donovan game. I expected the usual one or two odd ducks, but Neggers painted quirkiness over pretty much a whole family. It’s a great character study for sure.
This is a terrific series if you’re a fan of romantic suspense, Ireland, New England, and the FBI. Start with the first book, because you don’t want to miss the fun tension.
Netgalley provided an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.
https://randombookmuses.com/2017/09/1...
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
August 7, 2018
I loved this book! It is quite possibly my favorite of the series so far. Written with Neggers unique pacing and intensity, this story takes place primarily in the Cotswolds of England, where Oliver York has a farmhouse. The story begins with the reappearance (and death) of one of the men who kidnapped Oliver 30 years earlier, after killing his parents. This resurrects the old anguish and turmoil of Oliver's childhood, making him relive the events and question his memories. Emma and Colin are just finishing their honeymoon in Ireland when they are called to the Cotswolds to assist with Oliver's case. Emma is convinced that the odd break-in her grandfather had the previous day couldn't possibly be a coincidence. Oliver has been a character throughout the Sharpe and Donovan series, but it's nice to finally get some answers for Oliver and start to see him as more of a person in his own right, rather than just a case for Emma & Colin. But what truly made me love this book was the sweet intimacy between Emma & Colin. Their romance has always been understated but in this novel, we get a more real picture of their love for one another. I can't wait to see where Neggers will take them next!
January 2, 2018
I love it when I stumble into a series late however the author manages to give just enough of the back story that I don't feel totally lost. That is difficult to do and I always try to give kudos to the author when they succeed. I immediately became intrigued by the characters of Emma and Colin so I will have to check out their story from the beginning.
THIEF'S MARK is mainly character driven and I very much enjoyed meeting all of the characters especially Oliver and his major domo Martin. These characters present a picture of Oliver that doesn't quite fit with the general idea of him being an international art thief.
It was quite interesting to see all the pieces come together to solve the puzzle. I very much enjoyed watching Emma and Colin work even when they are in a country where they have no juridisction.
I do recommend THIEF'S MARK to any of my readers who enjoy a well written character driven crime drama. This book is sure to please.
*** I received this book at no charge from NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions expressed within are my own.
THIEF'S MARK is mainly character driven and I very much enjoyed meeting all of the characters especially Oliver and his major domo Martin. These characters present a picture of Oliver that doesn't quite fit with the general idea of him being an international art thief.
It was quite interesting to see all the pieces come together to solve the puzzle. I very much enjoyed watching Emma and Colin work even when they are in a country where they have no juridisction.
I do recommend THIEF'S MARK to any of my readers who enjoy a well written character driven crime drama. This book is sure to please.
*** I received this book at no charge from NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions expressed within are my own.
October 13, 2017
This is the 7th book in the series. I was a bit lost due to the fact that I didn't read the first 6 books. However, the author does provide enough background so that the reader isn't as lost and can keep up with the current book. That said, I do wan to go back and read the first 6 because this one was really good so I want to catch up on the series and it would clear up a lot for me as the reader. I really liked both Donovan and Sharpe. The story lime was fun and suspenseful. I like the authors writing style, she isn't wordy, doesn't drag things on unnecessarily, and her writing is sharp and creative.
For my full review, go to:
http://bookjunkiemom.blogspot.com/201...
For my full review, go to:
http://bookjunkiemom.blogspot.com/201...
November 1, 2017
I received this book as a review copy.
I have been trying to read this book for over a month. I just cannot get into it. I have tried. I like murder mystery books. I have read the reviews about Carla Neggers and she's supposed to write compelling books. Blah. The only reason I've read about half thus far is because I'm a Master Gardener, and there was enough about gardening and a character that was a gardener to get this far. Maybe I need to read previous books with these characters? I'm not sure, but this story is just not that interesting. I would not recommend it. I read a few pages and fall asleep while reading, and find I need to go back to try to remember what I even read about the night before!
I have been trying to read this book for over a month. I just cannot get into it. I have tried. I like murder mystery books. I have read the reviews about Carla Neggers and she's supposed to write compelling books. Blah. The only reason I've read about half thus far is because I'm a Master Gardener, and there was enough about gardening and a character that was a gardener to get this far. Maybe I need to read previous books with these characters? I'm not sure, but this story is just not that interesting. I would not recommend it. I read a few pages and fall asleep while reading, and find I need to go back to try to remember what I even read about the night before!
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