The Other Cipher

Soli Hansen Mysteries #2

by Heidi Eljarbo

In the captivating second book of the Soli Hansen Mysteries, two women—separated by more than three hundred years—are connected through their love of art.

1613. Fabiola Ruber has been wed to a man she does not know and must live in a country with a new language and different customs. The memories of a lost love in her hometown Malta haunt her, and she sets out to find an artist who can do her portrait and recapture the feelings she had when she once modeled for a renowned Italian master painter.

1944. Four years into World War II, art historian Soli Hansen works with the Norwegian resistance to locate significant artwork and safeguard the pieces from the Nazis. When she finds out the Germans are after a hidden baroque depiction of a seventeenth century woman, she must muster all her courage and skills to decipher encrypted codes and preserve the mysterious art before it’s too late.

Both women are determined to do what they can to bring healing and redemption to their otherwise ominous future. Through tangled, bewildering clues and an eye for detail, Soli’s bond to Fabiola grows closer by the day. She must find the missing painting before the enemy does.

Ranging from a privileged life in seventeenth century Antwerp to Oslo during the German occupation of the second world war, this dual timeline is a historical mystery thriller that will keep you guessing until the very end.

Perfect for fans of Kate Morton, Lucinda Riley, and Rhys Bowen.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Mystery, Historical Mystery

218 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 2, 2020

About the author

HEIDI ELJARBO grew up in a home full of books, artwork, and happy creativity. She is the author of historical novels filled with courage, hope, mystery, adventure, and sweet romance during challenging times. She’s been named a master of dual timelines and often writes about strong-willed women of past centuries.

After living in Canada, six US states, Japan, Switzerland, and Austria, Heidi now calls Norway home. She lives with her husband on a charming island and enjoys walking in any kind of weather, hugging her grandchildren, and has a passion for art and history.

Her family’s chosen retreat is a mountain cabin, where they hike in the summer and ski the vast white terrain during winter.

Heidi’s favorites are her family, God's beautiful nature, and the word whimsical.


If you would like to know more, please visit:

Official Author Website:
https://www.heidieljarbo.com/
https://www.facebook.com/authorheidie...
https://no.pinterest.com/heidieljarbo/

Reviews

[Randi Annie Framnes · Rating 4 out of 5]

In German occupied Oslo, art shop owner and art historian Soli Hansen and her resistance friends risk their lives on a mission to protect valuable paintings from being stolen by the Nazis.

The Other Cipher is book 2 in the Soli Hansen Mysteries series written and published by Heidi Eljarbo. The dual time plot is set in Oslo 1944 and Antwerp 1613. We follow art historian Soli Hansen and her resistance friends in their effort to keep Jewish owned art from being shipped to Gernany. Soli puts her life in danger to prevent the Nazis from stealing the valuable painting for Hitler’s planned museum in Austria. The underground deciphering group help decrypt secret messages which help her stay ahead of the Germans.

Main character, Soli, Hansen is the art shop owner and member of resistance. She is a shy, introvert who struggle to collect information the resistance needs. I feel she is a relatable and well put together character for a Norwegian woman of the 1940s.

Supporting character is Hedvig, Heddy, Vengen is the leader of the resistance group The Art Club. She seems idealistic, forceful and prepared to live a lonely life on the run from the Nazis for the duration of the war. She seems to struggle to find people to trust but really appreciates the good people around her, which is why she is my favorite of this story.

I feel the plot is captivating and entertaining, written in a down-to earth manner anyone can follow. I love that the story is based on, which I have not come across in any other historical before. The story easily reads as a standalone including the intriguing and unique art element. Readers of book 1, Of Darkness and Light, will recognize characters as well as get to know new ones. Continuing is Soli’s charming friendship (or relationship) with Detective Nikolai Lange and her fear of ruthless German Lieutenant Colonel Heinz Walter. Walter’s presence in the story makes an excellent dramatic element and I got a knot in my stomach every time he appeared. I enjoyed the surprising element of the disappeared young cryptographer and what he had discovered. This made a vital contribution to the progress of the plot. The tid-bits of information about life in war-time Oslo and the vibe of looming danger and uncertainty while in the process of finding and hiding the art, made the story come alive for me. They were my favorites, as I felt these parts were particularly well written.

Readers of historical fiction in general and WWII plots in particular, will enjoy this one. As will readers of Heidi Eljarbo’s previous works. Similar authors to explore might be Andrea Penrose or Mimi Matthews. Thank you to @heidieljarbo for this opportunity to share my honest review. All opinions are completely my own.
Conclusion: The Other Cipher is the captivating dual-time mystery about art historian Soli Hansen who collaborates with Norwegian resistance in a dangerous race to keep valuable art from being stolen by the Nazis. I am already looking forward to Soli’s next mystery in wartime Oslo.

[Mette Barfelt · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book, and I couldn't put it down!

This story is set in two historical periods (years 1944 and 1613), and it works perfectly. It's a blend of mystery, history, art and has a little bit of romance too.

The book is well written, and I simply had to read it all in one sitting. The plot is exciting, and if you enjoy history and art, this book is for you.

I'm looking forward to the next book!

[Yvonne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Soli Hansen is an art historian who sells art through the shop she inherited from her former employer. Business is steady despite the German Occupation, but Soli dabbles in more than just the buying and selling of art. Her expertise leads to her recruitment by The Art Club, the branch of the Norwegian Resistance dealing with the looting of art in Norway by the Nazis.

When news reaches Soli that a wealthy Jewish family, the Rubers, had hidden a 17th century painting before being deported, it is a race to see who will find it first - the Norwegian Resistance or the Germans commanded by the feared Lieutenant Colonel Heinz Walter.

The clue to the whereabouts of the painting is recorded in a ledger, written in code. After her own attempts to decipher the entry are unsuccessful, Soli decides to seek help from the chiffer group. Before she can contact them, two of the best cryptologists disappear, sending alarm through the Resistance group and dashing any hope that the code can be cracked in time.

The Other Cipher is an interesting read involving the plundering of art by the Nazis, the methods used by the Resistance to thwart them and life in Oslo during the German Occupation. Cleverly woven into the hunt for the missing painting is its history: why it was commissioned and its links to Caravaggio and Peter Paul Rubens.

This is a cozy historical mystery so there is no graphic violence, but I liked that, as Heide Eljarbo still manages to create suspense without it. She does this simply through the realistic reactions of her characters to the menacing presence of German soldiers, including the ominous black cars of the Gestapo, on the streets and the ever-present fear of arrest that dogs their every move. She also allows the reader's own imagination to take over when events happen out of sight.

While I did enjoy The Other Cipher and it works well as a standalone, it would have been beneficial to have read the first book in the series to gain a better understanding of the recurring characters and what had brought them all together. I'm looking forward to the next book in the series, but also to reading the first.

I received a complimentary copy of this book as a participant in a book tour.

[Christina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Smart. A gripping, surprising historical mystery reaching across two eras. Book 2 is as brilliant as the first. A page turner that kept me up till daybreak. Well done!

[Claudia Richards · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Every detective should have a Soli Hansen on their team." Book two of the Solie Hansen Mysteries is a delight! Soli developed stronger relationships with her friends and colleagues as they quietly do their part to save the art. It's a page turner during WWII days sprinkled with calm chapters from the 1600's. I love Heidi Eljarbo's historical fiction mixed with art history. I always learn new things reading her books, especially about Norway. I enjoyed reading the Author's Notes at the end with references to the artist and paintings. Not only is this book a good read but another insight to the beautiful art of Peter Paul Rubens and Caravaggio. It's a win, win!!

[Mary Yarde · Rating 5 out of 5]

"The Nazis have not stopped looting and stealing art, so we cannot quit doing what we can to preserve and protect precious objects. These items don’t belong to Hitler and the German Reich."

They plundered the cultural property of every nation they occupied. The National Gallery of Oslo, like the Louvre in France, had taken steps to hide their precious artefacts and priceless paintings. But there were many more still in private collections—private Jewish collections.

For art historian and proprietor of Holm’s Fine Art Shop, Soli Hansen is determined to stop some of these exquisite paintings falling into the enemy’s hands. When she hears that the Nazis are searching for a hidden baroque depiction of a seventeenth-century woman, she knows she must do everything in her power to find that painting before they do. But, to find the painting, she must first decipher an encrypted code, and that she cannot do without the help of the Resistance…

With a visceral understanding of the audience this story is intended for, Heidi Eljarbo has once again presented her readers with a book that has not only been meticulously researched but also one where the narrative is so utterly enthralling that I lost all sense of time. I was immersed in a world of espionage, where the heroes were ordinary people who found themselves in an unrecognisable dark world where the victors felt that it was their right to plunder the country for the spoils. Small the Resistance may be, but their hearts beat for their country, for their compatriots and for their common cause.

The readers are first introduced to Soli Hansen in Of Darkness and Light: A Soli Hansen Mystery Book 1. Soli is an art historian who, understandably, tries to stay under the radar of the occupying forces. It isn’t until her world, the ‘art world’, is threatened that she finds herself drawn into the dangerous underworld of the Resistance. The Other Cipher: Soli Hansen Mysteries Book 2 takes up where Book 1 left off, and once again the fate of a precious masterpiece, this time one painted by the famous Flemish Baroque artist, Peter Paul Rubens, is at stake. To discover the whereabouts of the painting, Soli must first decipher an encrypted code, which will reveal where the painting has been hidden by its Jewish owner just before the Nazis rounded up his family. I thought The Other Cipher: Soli Hansen Mysteries Book 2 was a gripping account of this era in history and it shines a light on the lengths the Resistance were prepared to go to and the risks they were willing to take to undermine and challenge the authority of the occupying forces. However, unlike many World War II novels where the Resistance is portrayed as a secret underground organisation that disrupts communication and aids the allied forces, this novel instead focuses on a small group of individuals who are determined to hide priceless works of art from the Nazis. And although there are hints of the lengths the Resistance are willing to go to save lives and to make things as difficult as they can for their enemies, this novel does not focus on such things, which I found rather refreshing. This is not the kind of story where you are going to need a box of tissues with you because there is simply no need for them. Eljarbo does depict the fear of discovery, but she also describes the excitement of the hunt, of solving the puzzle and finding the prize, which I thought made this book refreshingly good.

In this novel, Eljarbo explores the roles of women and children in the Resistance. Like Soli, I too was horrified at the notion that children were used to deliver newsletters and bulletins for the Resistance, especially when the punishment, if they were caught, was so severe. But, as this novel progresses, Eljarbo reminds her readers that this was a profoundly different time to the one we live in now, and that the spirit of a nation under the shadow of occupation beat not only in the hearts of young men but children, women and the elderly as well. This sense of nationality, of coming together, gave this story a somewhat hopeful feeling that if they all stick together, they would come through these dark days and know freedom once again.

Soli is a character that I have really come to care about. Her devotion, her love of art, and her determination to make sure it does not fall into the wrong hands make her very commendable. But she is also a woman who is trying to make sense of everything she has witnessed, and the things that she learns. Her deep friendship with Heddy and her growing attraction to Nikolai reminds the reader that Soli wants what everyone wants—to be accepted, and to love and be loved. I thought Soli’s depiction was absolutely fabulous and I am really enjoying watching this character grow and come into her own.

As I have already mentioned, the historical detailing has to be commended, and this novel is backed up by confident research. Eljarbo has certainly painted a crystalline portrait of a nation under occupation. She has also depicted the seemingly unbreakable spirit of its citizens. Alongside this, Eljarbo clearly demonstrates that she has an empathetic understanding of what being human is, and she portrays the two sides to human nature—the darkness and the light.

This story is told through two profoundly different timelines, and although most of the novel is based in the 1940s, Eljarbo does sweep her readers further back in time to the early 17th Century when Peter Paul Rubens picked up his brush and painted the picture that both the Nazis and the Resistance are looking for. I thought this dual-timeline worked well, and it helped the reader to understand the story behind the painting.

Although The Other Cipher: A Soli Hansen Mysteries Book 2 does stand firmly on its own two feet, I would recommend starting with Book 1 so that you learn the background of the characters you encounter in this novel.

If you are looking for a gentle introduction to World War II novels that focus on the Resistance, then I think that A Soli Hansen Mysteries would be a fabulous series to start with. I, for one, am looking forward to reading the next book in this beguiling series.

I Highly Recommend.

Review by Mary Anne Yarde.
The Coffee Pot Book Club.

[Oh Look,AnotherBook · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh my, that cover! You know what I am like for a striking cover—I am a bit like a magpie in that sense, I like pretty things, and that cover is certainly pretty!! But you know what they say, “don’t judge a book by the cover” but in this case, I am afraid I did! But enough about the cover, I should really be talking about the inside, you know, the story!

Confession time, I thought the Resistance was all about blowing things up, helping the allies and causing chaos and confusion, I did not realise they were also into stealing artwork to stop the Nazis from stealing it first! Whether they did, or whether they did not, it does not matter for that is what this novel is about, and I don’t have the time to research what they Resistance did and didn’t do. Anyway, I am going off the point, there is this painting which the Nazis really want, but the Resistance is determined to find it first and hide it. It all sounds rather simplistic, but no one knows where the painting is, and the one person who does know so happens to be Jewish, and he and his family were taken by the Nazis to goodness know where – the only clue he has left is a cypher. It is all very Dan Brown!

Alongside this fast-paced, energetic story is the story of the origins of the painting, so we also spend some time in the seventeenth century, where a young woman commissions a portrait of herself with her young daughter and their two dogs, but she doesn’t want any old painter to do it, she wants Rubens (you know, the artist with the cool hat and wicked moustache)! I really enjoyed this part of the book, I have been a fan of Rubens for a long old while, and I racked my brains trying to remember this particular portrait only to realise the author had used a bit of creative licence. Yes, I admit it, there was a facepalm moment on my part. Not that this made any difference to how much I enjoyed this novel. My only complaint, is that I would have liked to have spent a little more time in the seventeenth century, but I think that was because I would have loved to have read more about Rubens.

What I really liked about this story was the length. I know that sounds totally mad. But so often historical fiction novels are massively long books, and it takes me so long to get through them. This novel is compact, filled with non-stop action, and I read it in under three hours. Perfect!

I have not read the first book in this series, but it did not take me long to figure out who everyone was and what their role in the story was. My favourite character was definitely Heddy who, despite her own circumstances, is determined to see the Nazi occupation come to an end in Norway.

I really enjoyed this novel, and I will be certainly reading more books by this author in the future.

*I recieved a copy of this book from The Coffee Pot Book Club for review consideration.

[Camilla · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book!
I was grateful to be asked to read an advanced readers copy sent to my by the author, and excited to continue to follow the dual story line, following Soli Hansen and her friends in one of the resistance groups in the occupied Oslo, Norway during WWII, and Fabiola Ruber who now has moved to the 1613 Antwerp and find herself in an arranged marriage.

It is exciting to start sensing the link between the strong Fabiola Ruber, her portraits, and what a couple of hundred years later is a mystery to be solved and a dangerous "cat and mouse" chase by the Nazi leaders eager and willing to do anything to get their hands on important and valuable art pieces, art which often belonged to deported jewish families, and the resistance group doing everything trying to prevent these pieces to disappear and fall into the wrong hands.

With their own lives at risk, Soli and her friends mingle with the enemy to find clues to where to search, and trying to figure out secret codes to hiding places. With friends in the group disappearing, they are trying to find them at the same time as they hope they have not been compromised. Soli finds great support and safety with detective Nikolai Lange, who comes to the rescue several times. Do we sense something more than friendship?

To me this is another page turner, and I find my self thinking about courage in a difficult time, strong friendships and trust, the deported families and their family treasures which Soli Hansen and her friends are willing to sacrifice their lives to protect, and the background stories of many of the famous art pieces we know so well.

It is a well written, fun and exciting second volume in the Soli Hansen mystery series, and I am already looking forward to the third.

[Robert Yokoyama]

I received this book from the author in exchange for an honest review. The heroine is of this novel is Soli Hansen. She is an art dealer and historian. The plot of the book involves looking for a missing seventeenth century painting by Peter Paul Rubens in Norway during World War II. There are several Nazi art hunters searching for this painting too. I love the tension the author creates between the people of Norway and the Germans who were stationed there during the war.

Eljarbo explains why the paintings by Peter Paul Rubens are so special. She also teaches me something about the Italian language. There is a theme of depicting honeysuckles in his paintings. Honeysuckles are symbols of love and devotion. Another artistic aspect is the use of chiaroscuro. This is the Italian technique of using light and dark in the same painting.

Rubens also spent some time studying in Italy. Heidi Elijarbo is a huge fan of Rubens, and she makes me a fan of his work. too. She makes a reference to a painting called the Honeysuckle Bower. This is a beautiful painting of Rubens and his wife. She includes Italian words in this book that I find interesting like tesoro and capitolo. Tesoro means treasure in Italian. Capitolo means chapter in Italian. Eljarbo increases my appreciation of 17th century art and learn a little of the Italian language with this book.

[Whispering Bookworm · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have not read a novel set during World War 2 for quite a long time, so when I was given a chance to read The Other Cipher by Heidi Eljarbo, I jumped at the chance. Most books, during this era, are set either in Germany, Britain, France and Italy. I don’t think I have ever come across a World War 2 book set in Norway before. This novel was certainly an insight into what it must have been like living under occupation in Norway.

This novel is part historical fiction and part mystery. The historical aspect of this novel has been well researched and came across as very real in the telling. The mystery part of this novel is what it made it such a page-turner, and an unputdownable one at that. This novel grabbed my attention right from the start, and I found myself swept away in the adventure.

If you are a lover of quality historical fiction that will keep you turning those pages well into the night, then this novel should most definitely be on your ‘to-read’ list. I thought it was fabulous from start to finish.

*I received a copy of this book from The Coffee Pot Book Club for review consideration.
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[Brenda · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the second book I have read in Soli Hansen Mysteries series. Like the first book, this book gripped my attention right away. I enjoyed the authors parallel story lines with Fabiola Ruber in the 1600’s and then Soli Hansen who is caught up in the Norwegian resistance in 1944. I am interested in World War II history. Also, when reading the story, I became interested in art terms and artists mentioned. I looked up these on the internet and learned more art history. The only disappointing thing about the book is that it ended too soon. I’s looking forward to reading Book 3. I appreciate Heidi Eljarbo’s talent and works very much. I would recommend her series and hope to read more of her books.

[Tifani Clark · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Other Cipher intrigued me from the first page. I've read a fair number of books that take place during the World War II years, but there aren't a lot of books that describe what was happening in Norway. The setting and characters were extremely well written and believable. Suspense, and mystery, and romance, and all the good things are all rolled up together to make a great book. Highly recommend.

[Lorrie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Five stars for Heidi Eljarbo's "The Other Cipher! This fast-paced novel picks up where "Of Lightness and Dark" leaves off. Characters are further developed, courage is put to the test, and I learned more about Norway's history and part in World War II. I also loved learning more about the famous painter, Peter Paul Rubens. Eljarbo does a fantastic job of weaving facts into a mystery story that keep you engaged until the end. I'm looking forward to the next book!

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've enjoyed this series so far. I am always drawn to WW2 historical fiction. What I love about this series, is it comes with a new perspective of that time, about the handling of art during the war. That's something I've never really learned about and these books started my curiosity on art at that time.

I also enjoy the two different storylines from different time periods throughout the book that helps to give a history on the art being referred to.

I did feel like this book moved a little faster than the first in the series, though at times, some things worked out a little too perfectly and quickly. Regardless of that, I'm looking forward to the next one!

[Kate Eminhizer · Rating 3 out of 5]

In this second book of the series, the characters once again find themselves working for the Norwegian resistance during WWII. Art historian and gallery owner Soli Hansen also has the added responsibility of attempting to thwart the Nazis as they seek to acquire priceless works of artwork from across Europe. Overall the book has a great plot. A hidden painting is on the Nazis' radar and Soli must uncover the clues left by the unsuspecting Jewish owner to locate and secure it before it is to late. Adding to the intrigue is the involvement of the Nazi father of one of the Resistance leaders. The dual-timeline chapters of the book tell the tale of the woman who both commissioned and posed for the painting as a means to pay tribute to the great artist Caravaggio. While interesting, in my opinion they don't necessarily add any value to the overarching plot of the story.
It took some time to get fully immersed in the story. Even after reaching the halfway point I thought that some elements should have been added for better clarity and some scenes would have benefitted from being more fully developed. Full disclaimer is that I did not read the first book in the series, perhaps if I had done so I wouldn't have felt so disconnected at the beginning.
I enjoy reading about different perspectives of WWII and as yet had read anything about the Norwegian Resistance movement. Intriguing characters in this second book make me looking forward to going back to read the first.
I received a copy of this book in conjunction with Historical Fiction Virtual Book Tours.

[Elizabeth Fellows · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Other Cipher

Soli Hansen Mystery Book 2
Heidi Eljarbo

Heidi is such a terrific author that even if you read the books out of order you can fall right back into the story.
This story goes between 1613 and 1944. The story is about portraiture of a specific family, that crisscross from Spain to Norway. It begins in 1944, Soli is introduced to the Resistance group who handle cryptology, the Chiffer group. It takes a lot of devoted people to run the resistance group in Oslo. With all they accomplished with the Resistance, it was easy to imperil their families lives if ever caught.This was a life whereby they had to always look over their shoulder.
This book has a dual timeline which is fascinating. Soli Hansen an art historian is a kindred spirit to Fabiola who is from 1613, from a wealthy Jewish Family who loved portraiture. Both adore original artwork, especially chiaroscuro, and the artists from the 1600’s and if you appreciate art history and can feel for the characters and the artwork and all it involves you will thoroughly enjoy this book as it goes from the 1600’s to during WWII in 1944 in Oslo Norway where the resistance worked meticulously against the Nazi’s. Definitely a 5 star.

[Diane Nichols · Rating 5 out of 5]

Heidi Eljarbo once more transports the reader into Norway during the Nazi occupation and into Italy during the Renaissance. Soli Hansen is an intriguing main character who continues her efforts to protect art masterpieces from getting into the hands of the enemy. The author provides suspense and intrigue as well as describes historical background from over 300 years ago. I especially enjoyed the descriptive language used to help the reader visualize the places and people so they become immersed in the story. I look forward to reading another Soli Hansen adventure and any other story by this author who manages to weave events and people together into entertaining and educational tales for peoples’ enjoyment.

[Sandy McKenna · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent and suspenseful story.

To the casual observer, Soli is an art dealer and historian; however, behind the scenes she is a valued member of a resistance group dealing with lost and stolen art works.
This is the second of a fabulous series set in Norway during the Nazi occupation in World War II; it contains lots of information regarding the arts, plenty of twists and turns, along with a hint of romance.
A thoroughly enjoyable read, and I have no hesitation in recommending it to those who enjoy WW2 fiction. I am eagerly awaiting the next book in this series.

[Caryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Other Cipher is a captivating novel. I was immediately drawn into the drama. Twists and turns kept me turning the pages. It's well written and nicely paced. I'm looking forward to reading the next installment in this series.

Recommend to readers who enjoy historical mysteries.

I borrowed a copy from KU. I've expressed my honest view.

[Jeremy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another success!

An excellent work, mixing history with adventure, social commentary, mystery and excitement. Thoroughly recommended. Soli has become one of my favorite characters.