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Elite Crimes Unit #2
The Forger
When Interpol’s covert behind-the-scenes Elite Crimes Unit looks for new talent, they recruit someone who knows all the tricks—and sometimes a troublemaker is exactly who’s needed for the job…
Olivia Lawson’s bosses at Scotland Yard don’t take her work very seriously. Art and antiquities? Bor-ing! But her latest investigation, at London’s world-renowned Tate, is turning out to be far more explosive than anyone expected. In fact, the vandalized, booby-trapped painting hanging on the gallery wall would have blown her off her feet if it wasn’t for the tall, dark-haired stranger who tackled her at the last second—a stranger as finely sculpted as any masterpiece in the museum.
Ethan Maxwell is working this case for the Elite Crimes Unit because it was a choice between that and lockup. A (barely) reformed art forger, he’s got the expertise to lead Olivia through a dangerous manhunt. But the crime may have a more personal connection to him—and the all-too-real feelings he’s developing toward Olivia could pull her into the line of fire too . . .
Olivia Lawson’s bosses at Scotland Yard don’t take her work very seriously. Art and antiquities? Bor-ing! But her latest investigation, at London’s world-renowned Tate, is turning out to be far more explosive than anyone expected. In fact, the vandalized, booby-trapped painting hanging on the gallery wall would have blown her off her feet if it wasn’t for the tall, dark-haired stranger who tackled her at the last second—a stranger as finely sculpted as any masterpiece in the museum.
Ethan Maxwell is working this case for the Elite Crimes Unit because it was a choice between that and lockup. A (barely) reformed art forger, he’s got the expertise to lead Olivia through a dangerous manhunt. But the crime may have a more personal connection to him—and the all-too-real feelings he’s developing toward Olivia could pull her into the line of fire too . . .
192 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 8, 2017
14 people are currently reading
123 people want to read
About the author
Michele Hauf
208 books938 followersMichele has been writing romance, action-adventure and fantasy stories for over twenty years. Her first published novel was DARK RAPTURE.
France, musketeers, vampires and faeries populate her stories. And if she followed the adage 'write what you know', all her stories would have snow in them. Fortunately, she steps beyond her comfort zone and writes about countries she has never visited and of creatures she has never seen.
Michele also writes as Michele Renae, and you can find her erotica, chick lit, and Harlequin Romance titles at your favorite online retailer.
--From the author's website bio
France, musketeers, vampires and faeries populate her stories. And if she followed the adage 'write what you know', all her stories would have snow in them. Fortunately, she steps beyond her comfort zone and writes about countries she has never visited and of creatures she has never seen.
Michele also writes as Michele Renae, and you can find her erotica, chick lit, and Harlequin Romance titles at your favorite online retailer.
--From the author's website bio
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
dnf
May 24, 2020This was a DNF for me. I didn't find the writing or the story line interesting at all. My biggest issue was Ethan who was a misogynist pig who despite the authors best attempts couldn't be attractive even if he looked like Brad Pitt.
Here are some examples:
"You don't look very much like a constable."
"And exactly what do you expect a constable to look like?" She sounded annoyed, sliding her hand to her hip. Ethan had never been a man to bite his tongue, "perhaps a bit less lush."
and...
'He eyed her carefully. Scotland Yard was putting their soft side on with this one.'
and...
'Had the Arts and Antiquities Unit lost its credibility with a woman on the team?'
and...
'Ethan's Father had always insisted he never work with a woman. They were catty. And emotional.
and...
'Ethan found there were occasions when he hadn't a choice whom he was assigned to work alongside. This could prove a challenge. Mostly because he enjoyed women, in any position but that of holding authority over him.'
Doesn't he just make you swoon!!!! The sexism wasn't just an issue with Ethan. This gem (from her boss) was in the first few pages, 'wouldn't she be happier in dispatch or even - and this was always delivered with a wink - bringing him coffee and answering phones.'
Yeeeeehh nooooo. This one is not for me.
Here are some examples:
"You don't look very much like a constable."
"And exactly what do you expect a constable to look like?" She sounded annoyed, sliding her hand to her hip. Ethan had never been a man to bite his tongue, "perhaps a bit less lush."
and...
'He eyed her carefully. Scotland Yard was putting their soft side on with this one.'
and...
'Had the Arts and Antiquities Unit lost its credibility with a woman on the team?'
and...
'Ethan's Father had always insisted he never work with a woman. They were catty. And emotional.
and...
'Ethan found there were occasions when he hadn't a choice whom he was assigned to work alongside. This could prove a challenge. Mostly because he enjoyed women, in any position but that of holding authority over him.'
Doesn't he just make you swoon!!!! The sexism wasn't just an issue with Ethan. This gem (from her boss) was in the first few pages, 'wouldn't she be happier in dispatch or even - and this was always delivered with a wink - bringing him coffee and answering phones.'
Yeeeeehh nooooo. This one is not for me.
December 12, 2017
The Forger was a very enjoyable read and an excellent continuation of the Elite Crimes Unit series with a heroine determined to prove herself and a devilishly charming hero.
Olivia Lawson is used to her colleagues at Scotland Yard underestimating her and looking down on her work in the Art and Antiquities department. When her newest assignment includes an unexpected explosive aspect, Olivia is assigned to work with the Interpol agent who saved her from the blast. Ethan Maxwell, a reformed art forger, is working the booby-trapped paintings for the Elite Crimes Unit as part of his deal to stay out of prison. When the crimes are revealed to have a personal connection to Ethan, he’s pulled deeper into the criminal’s web and Olivia is pulled in right along with him.
Since joining Scotland Yard a few years ago after a forgery resulted in the loss of her job at a museum, Olivia has come to value her work in the Art and Antiquities department and is hoping to use this newest case to earn herself a promotion. She has devoted a great deal of time making sure she can spot forgeries and has deep rooted opinions about the type of people forgers tend to be. At work, she has to deal with a lot of sexism and constantly has to prove that she’s more than capable. I admired Olivia’s restraint when it came to the sexist comments as I don’t know that I would have been able to stop myself from responding.
Prior to joining the Elite Crimes Unit, Ethan was an incredible forger and could flawlessly recreate the works of the Pre-Raphaelite era. Ethan learned at an early age how to paint what he could see and was taught that copying the masters was a way to honor them and that it wasn’t a crime. He was incredibly close to his father as it was just the two of them with Ethan definitely having a case of hero worship for his father. Their operation worked well with Ethan painting the forgeries and his father replacing the originals with the copies.
Olivia and Ethan were attracted to each other immediately and the two had great chemistry. Olivia was the one who pushed their relationship forward which was something I appreciated as that’s not something you see too often. Their physical connection was intense and the two had some incredibly hot scenes that were quite enjoyable. After Olivia finds out Ethan’s past there were the inevitable problems, but the thing I liked was that Ethan tried to give Olivia the space to figure things out rather than being pushy.
The crimes Ethan and Olivia were tasked with solving were fascinating as I was intrigued by the type of person who would blow up a masterpiece to get someone’s attention. The combination of the art and the bombs certainly made for some suspenseful cases. I enjoyed the connection the author created between Ethan and the bad guy as it added an interesting layer to the story.
Overall The Forger was a fun and fast-paced read with an interesting storyline and excellent characters. Law enforcement/criminal romances are ones that I typically enjoy, so I definitely recommend this book for fans of that trope.
Olivia Lawson is used to her colleagues at Scotland Yard underestimating her and looking down on her work in the Art and Antiquities department. When her newest assignment includes an unexpected explosive aspect, Olivia is assigned to work with the Interpol agent who saved her from the blast. Ethan Maxwell, a reformed art forger, is working the booby-trapped paintings for the Elite Crimes Unit as part of his deal to stay out of prison. When the crimes are revealed to have a personal connection to Ethan, he’s pulled deeper into the criminal’s web and Olivia is pulled in right along with him.
Since joining Scotland Yard a few years ago after a forgery resulted in the loss of her job at a museum, Olivia has come to value her work in the Art and Antiquities department and is hoping to use this newest case to earn herself a promotion. She has devoted a great deal of time making sure she can spot forgeries and has deep rooted opinions about the type of people forgers tend to be. At work, she has to deal with a lot of sexism and constantly has to prove that she’s more than capable. I admired Olivia’s restraint when it came to the sexist comments as I don’t know that I would have been able to stop myself from responding.
Prior to joining the Elite Crimes Unit, Ethan was an incredible forger and could flawlessly recreate the works of the Pre-Raphaelite era. Ethan learned at an early age how to paint what he could see and was taught that copying the masters was a way to honor them and that it wasn’t a crime. He was incredibly close to his father as it was just the two of them with Ethan definitely having a case of hero worship for his father. Their operation worked well with Ethan painting the forgeries and his father replacing the originals with the copies.
Olivia and Ethan were attracted to each other immediately and the two had great chemistry. Olivia was the one who pushed their relationship forward which was something I appreciated as that’s not something you see too often. Their physical connection was intense and the two had some incredibly hot scenes that were quite enjoyable. After Olivia finds out Ethan’s past there were the inevitable problems, but the thing I liked was that Ethan tried to give Olivia the space to figure things out rather than being pushy.
The crimes Ethan and Olivia were tasked with solving were fascinating as I was intrigued by the type of person who would blow up a masterpiece to get someone’s attention. The combination of the art and the bombs certainly made for some suspenseful cases. I enjoyed the connection the author created between Ethan and the bad guy as it added an interesting layer to the story.
Overall The Forger was a fun and fast-paced read with an interesting storyline and excellent characters. Law enforcement/criminal romances are ones that I typically enjoy, so I definitely recommend this book for fans of that trope.
August 18, 2017
I have not previously read a book by Michele Hauf but I was excited to start this book based on the synopsis alone. I was expecting some romance, some action and some suspense and I got all of them.
The interactions between Ethan and Olivia are so entertaining for the readers. The author manages to grab the read’s attention from the very first page of the story. Olivia is a constable with the Scotland Yard who specializes in Arts & Antiquities. She is called to a crime scene where she discovers a booby-trapped forgery. Lucky for her she is saved by Ethan, a member of the Elite Crimes Unit of Interpol. Their attraction for each other isn’t hot and heavy right away, but it is there in their first meeting. The longer they work together and the stronger their attraction grows. I won’t spoil it for you – but I think you’ll love it.
This book has love, steamy sex, drama, action, suspense – you name it. This book is about 200 pages so it isn’t an extremely long read. The pacing is quick; once you start reading it you won’t want to put the book down. Michele Hauf will hold your interest from page one all the way to the end. You do not have to read book 1 The Thief in order to follow the story of this book but you will enjoy reading more of the author’s works. Overall I give it 4 stars – if you haven’t read it yet, you’re missing out!
The interactions between Ethan and Olivia are so entertaining for the readers. The author manages to grab the read’s attention from the very first page of the story. Olivia is a constable with the Scotland Yard who specializes in Arts & Antiquities. She is called to a crime scene where she discovers a booby-trapped forgery. Lucky for her she is saved by Ethan, a member of the Elite Crimes Unit of Interpol. Their attraction for each other isn’t hot and heavy right away, but it is there in their first meeting. The longer they work together and the stronger their attraction grows. I won’t spoil it for you – but I think you’ll love it.
This book has love, steamy sex, drama, action, suspense – you name it. This book is about 200 pages so it isn’t an extremely long read. The pacing is quick; once you start reading it you won’t want to put the book down. Michele Hauf will hold your interest from page one all the way to the end. You do not have to read book 1 The Thief in order to follow the story of this book but you will enjoy reading more of the author’s works. Overall I give it 4 stars – if you haven’t read it yet, you’re missing out!
July 30, 2017
I was ready to jump back into Melissa Hauf's Elite Crime Unit in The Forger. I enjoyed the first book but really loved the character development in the second installment. I felt that Olivia and Ethan had amazing chemistry and I got lost in the story. I could not get enough! It was action packed and swoony. The perfect combination!!
When Art Investigator, Olivia Lawson is suddenly tackled by dark-haired stranger Ethan Maxwell, her life is thrown into a whirlwind. A barely reformed art forger, he's got the expertise to lead Olivia through a dangerous manhunt. But what happens when things start to get personal for Ethan - in terms of the villain they are searching for and his growing developing feelings for Olivia?
All in all I really enjoyed this story and will continue reading this series. I would like to thank Kensington and Netgalley for an advanced copy of this book for an honest review. Bravo! 4 stars! ~Ratula
When Art Investigator, Olivia Lawson is suddenly tackled by dark-haired stranger Ethan Maxwell, her life is thrown into a whirlwind. A barely reformed art forger, he's got the expertise to lead Olivia through a dangerous manhunt. But what happens when things start to get personal for Ethan - in terms of the villain they are searching for and his growing developing feelings for Olivia?
All in all I really enjoyed this story and will continue reading this series. I would like to thank Kensington and Netgalley for an advanced copy of this book for an honest review. Bravo! 4 stars! ~Ratula
October 5, 2017
I preferred the last one of this. I think it's partly me being picky about British things, partly not loving the cop/con dynamic, partly it just missing that certain something. Everything was put out clearly and without any subtlety, making the author seem like she didn't trust the reader to get there.
Plus, I dislike when villains are "mad".
Plus, I dislike when villains are "mad".
August 20, 2017
The Forger is the second book in the Elite Crime Unit series by Michele Hauf. So it's basically about ex criminals getting a second chance at imprisonment, I mean in life 😂 by becoming the good guys. The Forger starts of with an Art crime and the investigation is headed by Olivia Lawson whose own unit is being downsized and her boss is being difficult (he basically thinks she can't do the job). It doesn't really help that a valuable painting explodes while she's on the scene. Ethan is from Interpol, from the Elite Crimes Unit specifically, very hush hush and stuff. And yes he happens to be keeping a very big secret from Olivia. Which for the readers, we already know since well he is from ECU. But The Forger is all kinds of wonderful. It's funny, it hs a lot of plot twists not necessarily related to the crime and it just a page turner. Ethan and Olivia have sizzling chemistry that they don't really deny but you know obvious stuff really puts a damper on their developing sexy romance, one of which is they are involve in an active investigation. But it doesn't really stop them from having a bit of afternoon delight! Olivia as a character seems a bit straight while Ethan initially the fun loving one. But as the story progresses, readers will simply adore Olivia's live for the moment attitude and Ethan starts becoming the one with depths and secrets. If you like those old fashioned detective series and movies like The Avengers, The Forger is definitely a must read!
*ARC provided thru NetGalley*
*ARC provided thru NetGalley*
August 8, 2017
art forger turned investigator for the elite crimes unit at interpol, ethan maxwell still skirts the edge of the law. he hasn't touched a brush or easel since his arrest and recruitment to the e.c.u., but he has knowledge of crimes that haven't been shared or revealed.
when a vandalist/forger targets his father's forgeries, ethan is partnered with olivia lawson of the art & antiquities unit of scotland yard. she's in line for promotion to detective constable and needs a win in this case, though given her rocky reputation in the art world combined with a lack of funds for her department at scotland yard, things aren't looking too good.
in the forger, ethan must strike a tough balance. he cannot admit the truth of his past to olivia, because he risks death or incarceration, but the more they investigate the more apparent it is that he is being targeted. and there are some secrets he just can't keep from olivia. especially given their chemistry.
not only are they great partners on the job, they are also incredible in the bedroom. ethan has never had the chance to be close to someone like this, and he chafes at the constraints his job and his agreement with the e.c.u. put him under. he also knows that it's possible he could lose olivia by confessing everything. he's an art forger, and olivia knows all too well the kind of damage this particular kind of crime can cause. can they overcome those fundamental differences? is the attraction and reality of how perfectly they complement each other enough to leave the past in the past?
this is a romance with a happy ending, with a decent suspense-mystery thrown into the mix. the stakes aren't quite as high in the forger as they are in the thief, but the leads are charming and play off each other well.
**the forger will publish on august 8, 2017. i received an advance reader copy courtesy of netgalley/kensington books (lyrical press) in exchange for my honest review.
when a vandalist/forger targets his father's forgeries, ethan is partnered with olivia lawson of the art & antiquities unit of scotland yard. she's in line for promotion to detective constable and needs a win in this case, though given her rocky reputation in the art world combined with a lack of funds for her department at scotland yard, things aren't looking too good.
in the forger, ethan must strike a tough balance. he cannot admit the truth of his past to olivia, because he risks death or incarceration, but the more they investigate the more apparent it is that he is being targeted. and there are some secrets he just can't keep from olivia. especially given their chemistry.
not only are they great partners on the job, they are also incredible in the bedroom. ethan has never had the chance to be close to someone like this, and he chafes at the constraints his job and his agreement with the e.c.u. put him under. he also knows that it's possible he could lose olivia by confessing everything. he's an art forger, and olivia knows all too well the kind of damage this particular kind of crime can cause. can they overcome those fundamental differences? is the attraction and reality of how perfectly they complement each other enough to leave the past in the past?
this is a romance with a happy ending, with a decent suspense-mystery thrown into the mix. the stakes aren't quite as high in the forger as they are in the thief, but the leads are charming and play off each other well.
**the forger will publish on august 8, 2017. i received an advance reader copy courtesy of netgalley/kensington books (lyrical press) in exchange for my honest review.
August 9, 2017
This is a great book with a wonderful story and well developed characters. The story flowed very well and was very enjoyable. This book will keep you reading long into the night and you will not want to put this book down until you finish. This was such a great read and full of surprises. I voluntarily reviewed an advanced reader’s copy of this book. The free book held no determination on my personal review.
July 8, 2017
Second on the Elite Crimes Unit series the author has once again written an enthralling and sophisticated story rife with mystery and intrigue.
What fascinated me the most about this story was the amount of real information about art work it contained, which I enjoyed. The imagery created about each piece enabled me to feel as if I was present, seeing the work of art first hand. Though not as fast paced as the first book, it was entertaining nonetheless.
This ARC book was complimentary, provided by the Publisher and Netgally. I voluntarily providing my honest review.
What fascinated me the most about this story was the amount of real information about art work it contained, which I enjoyed. The imagery created about each piece enabled me to feel as if I was present, seeing the work of art first hand. Though not as fast paced as the first book, it was entertaining nonetheless.
This ARC book was complimentary, provided by the Publisher and Netgally. I voluntarily providing my honest review.
June 30, 2017
This is an entertaining heist romance. For some reason, it reminds me of the movie, Intolerable Cruelty, with Catherine Zeta-Jones and Clooney.
His father was a master forger who believed that forgery actually honors the classics. She lost her job after spending $10 million on a forged painting and now she’s an investigator for Scotland Yard. They are polar opposites, now joined together to find a criminal and neither of them see their HEA coming.
If you’re looking for a fun read, you just found it.
I received an ARC of this book, from the publisher, via NetGalley, in exchange for a fair and honest review.
His father was a master forger who believed that forgery actually honors the classics. She lost her job after spending $10 million on a forged painting and now she’s an investigator for Scotland Yard. They are polar opposites, now joined together to find a criminal and neither of them see their HEA coming.
If you’re looking for a fun read, you just found it.
I received an ARC of this book, from the publisher, via NetGalley, in exchange for a fair and honest review.
June 26, 2017
netgalley
not bad, I liked this book
not bad, I liked this book
August 1, 2017
The Forger by Michele Hauf is the second book in the Elite Crimes series but can easily be read as a standalone.
The fast paced plot as Olivia and Ethan tried to track down the mystery bomber who vandalizes works of art was an intriguing premise for the book. Ms. Hauf's descriptive writing allowed me to understand more about paintings and their history so that I had to actually looks some of them up on the internet. As far as the romance between Olivia and Ethan, I have to question that a true love match could have developed in their short time together. I felt like it was more of a "lust match" rather than a solid love relationship. All in all an entertaining read with enough twists to keep a reader guessing.
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book from Lyrical Press via NetGalley. All of the above opinions are my own. My rating is 3.5 stars.
The fast paced plot as Olivia and Ethan tried to track down the mystery bomber who vandalizes works of art was an intriguing premise for the book. Ms. Hauf's descriptive writing allowed me to understand more about paintings and their history so that I had to actually looks some of them up on the internet. As far as the romance between Olivia and Ethan, I have to question that a true love match could have developed in their short time together. I felt like it was more of a "lust match" rather than a solid love relationship. All in all an entertaining read with enough twists to keep a reader guessing.
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book from Lyrical Press via NetGalley. All of the above opinions are my own. My rating is 3.5 stars.
September 11, 2017
I select titles for review because I think a given book sounds like something I might enjoy. So it was with The Forger. I love romantic suspense and the idea of a suspense novel set in the world of art galleries caught my fancy. Of course, I then had to read the book, which unfortunately ended up being quite a chore indeed.
Olivia Lawson has a dream job working as a constable in the Art and Antiquities Unit at Scotland Yard. Unfortunately, art crimes aren’t top priority at Scotland Yard, so her unit is constantly in danger of being shut down. This, combined with Olivia’s past history, drive her to prove herself at every opportunity. Olivia once worked for a private art gallery but lost her job after making some questionable decisions that cost the gallery a lot of money. Art buyers who make costly mistakes must be naturals for investigating theft and forgery, so naturally Olivia managed to land in the Art and Antiquities Unit.
Olivia sees a chance to earn some credibility and job security when she lands a case at the famous Tate Gallery(the name of which the author does not always give correctly, by the way.) She arrives on the scene to discover that someone has defaced a famous pre-Raphaelite work by affixing a crude copy to the front of it. Too late, Olivia learns that the copy is booby-trapped with explosives. She is saved from being blown off her feet by the extraordinarily well-timed arrival of Ethan Maxwell from Interpol.
A member of Interpol’s Elite Crimes Unit, Ethan is brought in to work on the investigation with Olivia. Olivia chafes at having to deal with a rival whom she suspects will undermine her credibility but she is given no choice in the matter. Far from being swept off their feet, Olivia and Ethan enter into a giant bickering match at first sight which is far more tiresome than romantic. Add into that the half-hearted and sometimes inconsistent characterizations and you’ve got a recipe for a clunker of a read. Olivia can’t decide whether she wants to appear professional and the author makes half-hearted attempts to paint Ethan as a sexist who somehow has a very rapid change of heart. Oh my.
This is a partial review. You can find the complete text at All About Romance: https://allaboutromance.com/book-revi...
Olivia Lawson has a dream job working as a constable in the Art and Antiquities Unit at Scotland Yard. Unfortunately, art crimes aren’t top priority at Scotland Yard, so her unit is constantly in danger of being shut down. This, combined with Olivia’s past history, drive her to prove herself at every opportunity. Olivia once worked for a private art gallery but lost her job after making some questionable decisions that cost the gallery a lot of money. Art buyers who make costly mistakes must be naturals for investigating theft and forgery, so naturally Olivia managed to land in the Art and Antiquities Unit.
Olivia sees a chance to earn some credibility and job security when she lands a case at the famous Tate Gallery(the name of which the author does not always give correctly, by the way.) She arrives on the scene to discover that someone has defaced a famous pre-Raphaelite work by affixing a crude copy to the front of it. Too late, Olivia learns that the copy is booby-trapped with explosives. She is saved from being blown off her feet by the extraordinarily well-timed arrival of Ethan Maxwell from Interpol.
A member of Interpol’s Elite Crimes Unit, Ethan is brought in to work on the investigation with Olivia. Olivia chafes at having to deal with a rival whom she suspects will undermine her credibility but she is given no choice in the matter. Far from being swept off their feet, Olivia and Ethan enter into a giant bickering match at first sight which is far more tiresome than romantic. Add into that the half-hearted and sometimes inconsistent characterizations and you’ve got a recipe for a clunker of a read. Olivia can’t decide whether she wants to appear professional and the author makes half-hearted attempts to paint Ethan as a sexist who somehow has a very rapid change of heart. Oh my.
This is a partial review. You can find the complete text at All About Romance: https://allaboutromance.com/book-revi...
August 4, 2017
The Forger by Michele Hauf reminded me of White Collar with a HEA. While there are some similarities to White Collar, there are enough differences to keep you interested in the storyline. The book takes place in London focusing on a new specialize crime force called The Elite Crimes Unit. Ethan Maxwell is considered a specialist in art crimes and forgeries. He is asked to work with Olivia Lawson, a member of the art and antiquities section of Scotland Yard. Olivia’s boss does not hold out much hope for her skills and wants her to get his coffee and do loads of paperwork. She knows she has a lot to prove and to be paired with the hot and mysterious Ethan Maxwell is just another hurdle. Ethan thinks Olivia is lush and is totally enamored with her. BUT and yes there are buts…. Truth and trust and confidences do not make a perfect pair when both hold back…
The Forger by Michele Hauf is the second book in a series about the Elite Crimes Unit. I did not read the first one and didn’t even know about the book until after I finished. I found the book sufficiently intriguing that I will read others in this series.
The Forger by Michele Hauf is the second book in a series about the Elite Crimes Unit. I did not read the first one and didn’t even know about the book until after I finished. I found the book sufficiently intriguing that I will read others in this series.
July 6, 2017
*Thanks to NetGalley for a digital copy of this book!*
This is the second in this series. I did read the first book also. This review will be similar, because the books were very alike to me. I like this concept : heists, art crime, so I enjoyed the book in that aspect.
Olivia is an art crimes detective. Ethan is a reformed art forger, released from jail to work for the Elite Crimes Unit, on art crimes. I liked the fact that Olivia was not described as the "ideal" image of a woman, but at the same time, too much emphasis was put on her body and looks. Her insecurity and need for approval was too much at times.
The level of control that the Elite Crimes Unit has over their reformed recruits is way over-the-top. Being let out of jail is great, but having a 24/7 tracker implanted under your skin, and being set up in a really crappy apartment, for like 10 more years? Way too much.
But it was a quick read, and I will wait to read the next installment in the series, so it was entertaining!
This is the second in this series. I did read the first book also. This review will be similar, because the books were very alike to me. I like this concept : heists, art crime, so I enjoyed the book in that aspect.
Olivia is an art crimes detective. Ethan is a reformed art forger, released from jail to work for the Elite Crimes Unit, on art crimes. I liked the fact that Olivia was not described as the "ideal" image of a woman, but at the same time, too much emphasis was put on her body and looks. Her insecurity and need for approval was too much at times.
The level of control that the Elite Crimes Unit has over their reformed recruits is way over-the-top. Being let out of jail is great, but having a 24/7 tracker implanted under your skin, and being set up in a really crappy apartment, for like 10 more years? Way too much.
But it was a quick read, and I will wait to read the next installment in the series, so it was entertaining!
September 8, 2017
This was a very fast, easy read. While this is book two it can be completely read as a standalone. I didn't know originally when I was going to read it that it was part of a series but there was absolutely no problems reading this one.
The story was interesting but at times moved a bit slow for my taste but overall I enjoyed it. Also learned a lot more about the art world.
While I did really like both Olivia and Ethan, at times Olivia seemed to contradict herself to me. She's naturally a very shy person and doesn't make eye contact easily but then she says some very forward things to Ethan that just seem out of place for the character at the time. They had really great chemistry and were very cute together.
I do plan on going and reading the rest of the series and would definitely recommend this for someone looking for a light mystery read with some steam to it.
The story was interesting but at times moved a bit slow for my taste but overall I enjoyed it. Also learned a lot more about the art world.
While I did really like both Olivia and Ethan, at times Olivia seemed to contradict herself to me. She's naturally a very shy person and doesn't make eye contact easily but then she says some very forward things to Ethan that just seem out of place for the character at the time. They had really great chemistry and were very cute together.
I do plan on going and reading the rest of the series and would definitely recommend this for someone looking for a light mystery read with some steam to it.
August 15, 2017
Olivia Lawson, works for the Arts and Antiquities unit at Scotland Yard and is called in on a case where a priceless painting is not only defaced but booby trapped as well.
Ethan Maxwell, works for Interpol in the Elite Crimes Unit. As a condition of his employment and avoiding prison time, he is not allowed to divulge his history to others.... even those who interest him on more than just a professional level...
With a mysterious person who is working at a greater game than just defacing museum paintings, and an attraction to each other that won't be good for either of them, Olivia and Ethan must work together before the forger gets the best of them...
I really wish I could have enjoyed this book, as I loved the first book in the series 'The Thief'. With this book the storyline moved slowly, I did not like ALL the chauvinism and the attraction between Olivia and Ethan was just not interesting to me. I will not at all take this author off of my reading list, because while the story was not one I liked, the author has shown talent that can not be denied.
I received a complimentary copy of this book for my honest and unbiased review.
Check out the Blog!
https://nightbirdnovels.wordpress.com...
Ethan Maxwell, works for Interpol in the Elite Crimes Unit. As a condition of his employment and avoiding prison time, he is not allowed to divulge his history to others.... even those who interest him on more than just a professional level...
With a mysterious person who is working at a greater game than just defacing museum paintings, and an attraction to each other that won't be good for either of them, Olivia and Ethan must work together before the forger gets the best of them...
I really wish I could have enjoyed this book, as I loved the first book in the series 'The Thief'. With this book the storyline moved slowly, I did not like ALL the chauvinism and the attraction between Olivia and Ethan was just not interesting to me. I will not at all take this author off of my reading list, because while the story was not one I liked, the author has shown talent that can not be denied.
I received a complimentary copy of this book for my honest and unbiased review.
Check out the Blog!
https://nightbirdnovels.wordpress.com...
January 22, 2020
Read these awhile ago. Comments and review to follow.
You can find me over on Facebook at My Open Book at the Dragonfly. Come over and say hi.
You can find me over on Facebook at My Open Book at the Dragonfly. Come over and say hi.
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews