This marked a real departure for me away from the military and fantasy books I usually read. To be totally honest, I never really expected to enjoy it. But I did !
The action and adventure begin immediately. The fast flowing storyline has you engrossed and constantly guessing at what is coming next. I admit to knowing very little about art/artists but the author explains the important details in such an interesting and succinct way that it is woven effortlessly into the compelling plot.
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Having two young sons, I'm always looking for books that would be good for them and that would catch their eyes. I'm pleased to announce that Paul Oliver Westmoreland is an author whose book is PERFECT for my sons. They love to read and they love adventure, so this book is most definitely high on the list for them.

From car chases to thieves, this book is awesome and fast paced for kids of all ages. It's story line is full of surprises and twists. Vincent Ward is an art lover and emplo More...

Vincent Ward knows and loves art. A dramatic opening scene in Paul Oliver Westmoreland’s novel, Cardsharp, describes how Vincent came by his lifelong artistic interest as a small child. But Vincent's now an employee in the National Gallery, and his quiet everyday job turns into a frantic race to rescue Caravaggio’s Cardsharps from a team of daring art thieves. Foolishly brave and cleverly resourceful, Vincent wins the day and the privilege of a trip to Italy, where a simple plan to bid for Carav More...

Cardsharp is the first book in the Vincent Ward Adventure series. The prologue of the novel begins on the eve of Vincent's sixth birthday. The reader is plunged straight into the action of a house fire, where Vincent's parents rescue him from the relentless flames and later perish trying to rescue some of the paintings by many famous artists which filled their home.

Chapter one begins with an older Vincent stating that he is late for work at The National Gallery in London. The r More...

Cardsharp is an exciting adventure book with a twist. Vincent Ward works as a researcher at the National Museum in London and has a passion for fine art, especially paintings. When he is given the opportunity to travel to Italy to bid on a diary supposedly written by one of his favourite artists, Caravaggio, he jumps on the chance. This leads to a whole adventure full of mystery and intrigue as he is stalked by international criminals who will do anything, and I mean anything, to get the pain More...

I wasn’t really sure what to expect with Cardsharp but when I started it I got pulled into an exciting story that got more exciting and more interesting as it went along.
Cardsharp reminded me a lot of The Adventures of TinTin. Vincent Ward sets off on an adventure and he ends up getting caught up in this world of intrigue and the bad guys have guns and there’s a little bit of violence from them as Vincent tries to get back his precious painting.
I thought that Cardsharp was a fun rea More...

Guns, car races, criminal masterminds, daring escapes, ruthless pirates, a pretty woman and one man caught up in the middle of it all: Vincent Ward.
Paintings, the treasures of the world: Vincent Ward sees the beauty in them, as did his parents. The thieves who stole their paintings, burnt their house down and killed them only saw the money in the artwork. Vincent was six when it happened – too young to do anything to stop them. Now, though, with a priceless painting in danger and a mas More...