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Genevieve Lenard #10

The Uccello Connection

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Coded paintings. Missing planes. Dirty bombs.

After a foiled attempt on the lives of world leaders, criminal mastermind Ivan Fradkov successfully eludes world-renowned nonverbal expert Doctor Genevieve Lenard and her team for months. But things heat up quickly when a stranger is assassinated in the chair next to Genevieve while she’s having lunch with her friend.

Barely controlling her autistic mind’s need to shut down and escape the influx of intel and emotional upheaval, she tries to make sense of an unreliable spy’s sudden co-operation, a friend’s kidnapping and a team member’s life hanging in the balance.

Then time runs out and Genevieve is faced with an impossible choice. Does she stay by the side of a loved one who desperately needs her or does she put her own life in danger to stop a psychopath?

401 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 9, 2017

298 people are currently reading
328 people want to read

About the author

Estelle Ryan

32 books627 followers
Estelle Ryan was born in South Africa and spent her childhood being surrounded by African beauty, nature and diversity of cultures. Her first trip to Europe at the tender age of 16 transformed her world into a much larger place, endless in its possibilities and places to explore. For most of her adulthood she’s travelled all over the world, lived on a few continents, explored numerous cultures and still is insatiable in the quest to still the hunger for more life experiences.

She’s written for numerous international magazines, was the editor of a European lifestyle magazine and has seven romance novels published under a pseudonym. With her interest in international politics, arts, crime, behavioural psychology, criminal psychology and music, she decided to combine all these elements in her writing. And so Genevieve and the team came into being.

She is an unabashed coffeeshopaholic. Good coffee, ambience and music in the perfect combination is all that is required to turn a mundane coffee shop into her 'office'. The appropriate coffee shop is chosen depending on the mood, the weather, the type and amount of work that needs to be done, and of course the craving of the day. All of her books have been written in numerous coffee shops all over the world.

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5 stars
734 (55%)
4 stars
462 (35%)
3 stars
110 (8%)
2 stars
11 (<1%)
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1 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 76 reviews
Profile Image for Tony Hisgett.
3,007 reviews36 followers
December 18, 2017
I really like these books, but I didn’t buy this one when it was first released because I was beginning to feel the author was falling into the trap of having to outdo herself with every new story.
Every new villain has to be more evil and more cunning; every plot has to be more diabolical. I don’t need Genevieve to battle the world’s greatest super villain every book. What I enjoy is ‘watching’ her ‘work’ the data and her interactions with her team.
In this book we again have to contend with the damaged psychopath Fradkov and a plot that borders on the unbelievable.

I didn’t enjoy this as much as some of the author’s earlier books. The story seemed ‘fragmented’; at times it just felt like a collection of random incidents.
Because these books are usually so easy to read I can normally read one in a couple of ‘sittings’, but I found myself continuously putting this one down after only five or ten minutes. I found it a frustrating read, it just didn’t ‘flow’ as well as previous books.

I nearly gave the book just 2 stars, but I still really like Genevieve.
Profile Image for Arnaud.
490 reviews6 followers
February 10, 2023
Good through and through

Another one wrapped in a heartbeat on my end, and another strong volume pursuing the previous adventures of Dr. Lenard and her team of misfits. So much going on, so much good :-) it's the story of a group that grows and going somewhere, that's all I can say. That and a need for vacation for Genevieve, but abroad :D That was fun!
Profile Image for Andrea.
158 reviews23 followers
April 6, 2023
Another excellent Genevieve & team art crime, action-backed story. Loved it as much as the others and love the ease of reading and suspenseful pull this series has for me. Highly recommend, and while it’s not absolutely critical to read the series in order, it gives more context and builds onto each of the characters to do so.
Profile Image for Dolly Sandor.
528 reviews42 followers
January 20, 2017
What I liked: The gang's all back to deal with another crisis or should I say a continuing one dealing with a murderous madman, Ivan Fradkov. Doctor Genevieve (Jenny) Lenard, her romantic partner, Colin Frey, and the numerous others in their team are in a race against time to ensure the proposed treaty between France and Russia goes off without a hitch.

Unfortunately, it’s one thing after another the team has to deal with and Jenny is somewhat distracted by her interpersonal relationships. She must decide if having people in her life is taking away from her love of knowledge and research.

I especially enjoyed the way Ms Ryan wrote Jenny’s character in The Uccello Connection. From the beginning of the Genevieve Lenard series, Jenny has been evolving with more interpersonal relationships (she's autistic). Each book it seems, another character ends up as a part of their group. This time around, Jenny’s friendships might be the thing to make her pull back and reassess just where her life is going. There were several instances when Jenny was actually a bit more normal in her feelings and then tried to lock them away.

The pace of The Uccello Connection is hectic. Just as one challenge arises, another is right behind. The team needs to find out if all the problems are connected. In addition, the psychopath might just be playing them for fools in his bid for revenge. Even knowing who the big bad is, Ms Ryan develops the plot in a way I couldn’t figure out what was going to happen next and to who.

Ms Ryan weaves a wonderful tale with memorable characters. I love Jenny and missed her being front and center.

What I didn’t like: The Uccello Connection had a lot of characters, in addition to the central cast, that had a larger part to play in plot. I lost track of who some of those characters were and their different specialties.

Jenny is the hub and the driving force but in this instance, she seemed a bit off. I think that was Ms Ryan’s point but I’m not sure.

I flew through this book and now must wait to see what happens when Jenny drops a bombshell at the very end of this story!

I'm overjoyed with the price of The Uccello Connection. You definitely get your money's worth with this book!

I recommend The Uccello Connection to readers of suspense with an atypical heroine. My best advice though is to start at the very beginning of the series.
Profile Image for Gwen S..
838 reviews15 followers
June 25, 2017
Fradkov and Jenny Mentally Spar! 3.75*****

A calm lunch with Francine quickly turned into an assassination/murder at their table, then the Pu-210 poisoning of Al, followed by everything spiraling out of control, once again, with Jen and her team. Emad and Fradkov are strangely conspiring together in this tale of international destruction, but it is Fradkov, who is the sociopath bent to destroying Russia for a piece of land in Siberia?!? Many aspects of this novel did not make sense, apart from overwhelming avarice. Fradkov's claim in being a non-neurotypical like Jen was not support throughout the text, or confirmed by his actions. He had no apprehension in touching/ hitting kidnapped Alexis repeatedly, nor his lack of knowledge on Pu-210's half-life, showed his lack of attention to detail. His actions, as well as his thinking and reasoning patterns were too fluid and malleable as he repeatedly rose appropriately to set backs in his plan. I was pleased to see Jen emotionally continue to grow, as her circle of friends grew, ever so wider. I still am perplexed over Fradkov's obsession with the stolen Renaissance masterpieces and the switched forgeries, was this just greed?!? An interesting read!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Amanda Jane.
1,337 reviews10 followers
February 16, 2022
Depths of deception

Nikki is days from giving birth to Eric, Genevieve is feeling unsettled by the scientific journals that are being anonymously sent to her and rather wanting to write a new research paper, Daniel is on a plane going on an exchange mission to work with the Russian equivalent of GIPN, and that is where it all goes straight into another case..

When a stranger interrupts Francine and Genevieve's lunch to impart information about Fradkov only to be assassinated at their table and Daniels plane loses contact and disappears from its flight path questions multiple questions arise. Was the plane hacked or was it just the apps that provide flight information? What has happened to the passengers and cargo which contained irreplaceable artwork including Uccello's, Caravaggio's and more besides.

As information slowly comes in including Alain Vernet with strange forgeries sent by his son the team find one of Fradkov's homes. Genevieve is put under more pressure when Emad is captured and questioned can she read his true nonverbal cues when he's a highly trained spy? Can they prevent Fradkov's latest plan which seems to entail setting off a war and blaming Russia?
Profile Image for Ann.
1,728 reviews
September 3, 2017
Another of my favorites series and, again, it does not disappoint. The gang are still the 'go to' unit for high stakes crime investigation. As Genevieve and Francine are having lunch, a stranger joins them to tell them about the latest activities of a criminal they've been after for months. Before he can give much in the way of detail, he's assassinated. When Daniel, head if the GIPN is kidnapped from a hijacked aircraft along with millions of dollars of Renaissance artwork the team knows it's the same guy.

As usual, Genevieve's observational and analytical skills are key, even as she works hard to understand and accept the emotional pull of actually having friends and family -- Vinnie has a girlfriend now, who's very nice but a bit of a slob, and Nikki is pregnant and due any day. Though she sees it as her weakness, it is the strength she draws from these relationships that help her manage through paralyzing trauma.
Profile Image for Theresa.
1,560 reviews44 followers
October 6, 2021
A baby! I can not even guess where little Eric will take my favorite people.

I love how Estelle Ryan manages to weave art into every book. Every now and again I wonder how realistic it is that all these psychos want art, but maybe that is a thing in Europe.

So I have read in other reviews that people get tired of Manny only calling Francine Supermodel. I in fact love it. I love nicknames from loved one. That being said I hate Roxy only calling Vinnie snookums. Is this realistic? I have to assume it is supposed to be funny because Vinnie is huge and scary. I guess I will get over it

I love that Genevieve works very hard now to not allow the darkness to overcome her. I love that she is evolving.

I also love that Daniel and Pink have become more important to the group. I am really curious about what happens with Pink. Is he going to walk again? Use his computer skills from a wheelchair?

I'm so excited to see where the next book takes us!
163 reviews1 follower
January 18, 2018
Wait, big breath, you can do it!

Every book in this series holds new adventures and growth for Dr Genevieve Leonard. Genevieve is brilliant and high end autistic. Her struggle with outside stimuli ( actions and sounds, touch and personal space: things that most of us never even acknowledge) along with addressing some very dangerous situations is what makes these mysteries so singular! Add in some very well known artists and glorious music and Every new adventure becomes as intriguing as the one before. A bonus at the end of each volume gives a link to the artists paintings and music mentioned. Entertaining fast action and facing the struggles with life make a draw to the next book And I try to spread them out like fine pearls so as not to beat the author to the last book. I hate having to wait yearly for a new book. Come meet Genevieve and her very talented friends!
Profile Image for Pontiki.
2,526 reviews9 followers
November 3, 2017
Another perfection in literature. This time, the threat is from a Russian named Fradkov, who is connected to Emad, from the last book.

It was frightening that Daniel is missing, kidnapped from a plane that seems to have been hacked into. Pink is also badly hurt, and he's one of my favourites.

I didn't like Emad being let go, sort of, although u suppose he didn't really kill anyone, just smuggled a lot.

Missed more of Colin and Jenny, but adding Roxy and Vinnie in the mix is brilliant. Also, more polonium210 threats were exciting, as were the cool Uccellos with the Fibonacci spiral in them. Truly incredible.

Nikki's pregnancy is also s nice addition into this highly intelligent family, and Genevieve's return to research at the end fulfills the rest of her needs.
Profile Image for Beth.
27 reviews
March 25, 2018
Better than the last few books.

When I first discovered these books, I binge read them. They were fast suspenseful stories, and it was interesting reading about a heroine who is different. Reading them altogether was a mistake. The characters and their relationship grew for a while, but they stagnated. I got really tired of Jenny not being unable to understand metaphors. She went through university and has been out in the world for many years. She should have experienced many of these metaphors several times. Can she not remember them? Taking a break from the books and I was not as irritated by the repetitions from previous books.

Anyway, the plot of this book was nicely twisted and I look forward to more books.
112 reviews1 follower
January 25, 2018
I don't know exactly what to make of this series. The character development continues. Genevieve learns to conquer her fears, and continues to provide the detailed analysis needed by her team. The villains in this novel have appeared previously, and the most dastardly is obviously mentally ill, accounting for his actions. Their relationship in a prior novel in the series was not clear.

So where does this series go from here. Is it simply one more adventure after another. Estelle Ryan is a good story teller. I would like to see other things from her in addition to telling the stories of this group of characters.
Profile Image for Steve.
591 reviews24 followers
June 19, 2022
The ultimate evils, Fradkov and Emad, have begun a new nefarious plan. Holy..., Batman! There is no caped crusader here, just Genevieve Leonard's band of do-gooders answering to the President of France. That group of five bright, varied, capable folks and their surrounding support are one great joy of this book and series. Another is the pacing, deftly growing the dangers, conundrums, and pursuit that always come to a dramatic ending. The role of art, tech, science and international politics is great. Terrific entertainment with a cast easy to like and grow with as the series continues. Start with book one. as I did. I'll be back for number 12 soon.
Profile Image for Andrea Stoeckel.
3,155 reviews132 followers
July 30, 2024
"Not all emotional demands and distractions were negative. They could enrich one’s life. They could give one enough strength to take steps that had previously caused paralysing fear.."

It has been fascinating watching dDr. Genevieve Lenard deal with life and the stress that can send a neurormative person over the edge. And this time is no different with the exception of her ward Nikki's pregnancy.

This book again takes on a painter and the focus is on Russia and Belarus. The characters are marvelous and the increasing bonds between the group are marvelous to watch.

I still have two more in my collection that I want to savor so I may wait to read them. Highly Recommended 5/5
205 reviews4 followers
January 2, 2021
I am addicted!

I will now confess that I have avoided taking the time to review these books because I just wanted to hurry on to the next book! The first book in this series was my December Book Club selection. I have now read the first ten books in this month! The plots are so very intriguing and the characters are complex and believable. I love how each novel incorporates art, forgeries, foods, and, of course Genevieve who is on the autism spectrum!
20 reviews
July 17, 2021
Mind of a madman .

Too many plots and people, had to constantly re-read some pages to keep characters in what play
I'm now hesitant to pick up a other book in series so quickly as I have enjoyed our groups escapeds.
I want to continue well thought out plan and intrigue so a little rest for me so I can enjoy next book number 10.
Profile Image for Swan Bender.
1,767 reviews20 followers
February 5, 2017
I give this my highest rating due to the continued broadening of Genevieve's personal sphere and emotional aspects more than to the mystery. This isn't to say the mystery was unworthy of high marks, just that I was so impressed with the emotional insights and strengths being developed.
840 reviews1 follower
March 15, 2017
It is another Estelle Ryan book. Very similar to the others, learning more about painters, and about technology, Francine can hacked anything. Quite entertaining. Insight into autism and what it does to people. I'm waiting for the next book by this author.
4 reviews4 followers
June 13, 2017
As always Estelle Ryan delivers an intelligent and fast paced read. The world of Genevieve Lenard and her friends is always entertaining. The lead character Genevieve is unlike any character I have ever encountered. I highly recommend this entire series.
728 reviews1 follower
August 5, 2018
A very satisfying read.

I really enjoyed this latest book in the series. Genevieve evolves a little more each book. Solving the mystery and following the clues takes the whole team through some tough times. A very satisfying read.
Profile Image for Susan Clair Holt.
1,364 reviews1 follower
April 12, 2020
The Uccello

Fradnov is up to his insane plots again. People died and are kidnapped and planes and cars are hijacked. Pink is in serious condition, baby Eric is born, Emad is apprehended and settled on a ranch in the US and Fradnov dies. Great book
1,040 reviews
May 28, 2020
Love the series

Genevieve is taken out of her comfort zone again in this book but she expands her comfort zone. Another plot to destabilize the world is uncovered and stopped by the team. Can’t wait to read the next book in the series.
Profile Image for Kevin Reeder.
303 reviews1 follower
March 30, 2021
Saving the world....

The crew is at it again tying in an obscure piece of artwork to an international incident. Genevieve continues to learn hire to live with “normal” folks and the regular chaos that ensues. Another fun read
Profile Image for Sandee.
967 reviews98 followers
June 4, 2021
Edge of your seat reading!

Another great story full of twists and turns, in an amazing world of insane people and their quests to destroy everything that gets in their way. Love this series!
Profile Image for BRT.
1,829 reviews
June 15, 2021
This series never disappoints. Doctor Lenard, a non-neurotypical woman continues to challenge her fears and boundaries with an ever increasing group of emotion provoking neurotypical friends. They are tasked with bringing down a powerful criminal and saving a vital peace treaty.
549 reviews1 follower
August 5, 2021
I enjoyed reading this book. It is a fun series. . Estelle Ryan is able to keep things interesting and stay true to the wonderful characters that she has created. The Genevieve Lenard series is one of my favorite series to read and reread.
25 reviews
January 19, 2022
I always enjoy Estelle's books. They are a great relaxing read that sucks you in. I wish she wasn't expected to act as if the reader hadn't read any of her former books. I hate having everything explained to me in the beginning.
40 reviews1 follower
February 3, 2024
another fabulous Dr. Lenard adventure

Well, this book introduces even more emotional complexity within our heroine, the diverse team and even the evil geniuses. For me though, it is the continual heart opening within Genevieve that leaves me breathless.
Profile Image for anna.
1,059 reviews11 followers
August 6, 2025
I like how these books tie all the loose details together in the end - it’s so satisfying.

They’re great, but they’re also so plot-heavy. I have to really pay attention to remember all the little things.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 76 reviews

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