The Geneva Deception

Tom Kirk #4

by James Twining

There is an art to murder . . . In Rome, the Eternal City . . . three shocking homicides occur in three days—each a grisly re-creation of a painting by one of the most revered artistic giants of all time. But this new "artist" works in blood, not oils. A reformed art thief on assignment for the FBI, Tom Kirk is in a Las Vegas casino with $20 million to purchase a Caravaggio masterpiece unseen for nearly half a century—a transaction that’s brutally cut short by gunfire. A shattering assassination rocks Kirk’s world, plunging him and unorthodox Italian detective Allegra Damico into an international web of evil that encompasses the Church, politicians, the police, and the Mafia. The road Kirk and Allegra must now follow is twisting and treacherous, winding through Vatican secrets, blood oaths, and Swiss betrayals. And death surely waits at the end.

Genres: Thriller, Fiction, Mystery, Adventure, Ebooks, Crime, Action

547 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2009

About the author

James Twining was born in London but spent much of his childhood in Paris. After graduating from Christ Church, Oxford with a first-class degree in French Literature, he joined the investment bank UBS, working in their corporate finance division. In 1999 he left to set up his own company and in 2001 was named as one of the eight 'Best of Young British' entrepreneurs in The New Statesman. James lives in London with his wife, Victoria, and is now a full-time writer.

Series:
* Tom Kirk

Reviews

[James]

To be a churl this is a simpler version of the Dan Brown thrillers, I don’t think we need a simpler version but it passes the time while I dream of being on a beach seven rum cocktails on.

[Glenn Armstrong]

The Geneva Deception is the fourth book in the Tom Kirk series, however I have not read the previous three. I have missed the various characters backgrounds and relationships which no doubt would have filled some gaps. There were a lot of characters introduced which I had a little trouble keeping up with. The POV changed depending on which character we were following in that particular chapter, which didn’t allow the story to flow. The story gathered momentum and I enjoyed it more when the two main characters joined forces and worked together to try and solve the crime. It wasn’t a bad story on the whole but it just felt like it had been done before (with the religious themed killings and corrupt police/politicians). Perhaps I may have had a better experience with this book if I had read the three earlier instalments so I would suggest that other readers start at book one if possible.

[kostas vamvoukakis]

Το 3ο βιβλίο του συγγραφέα που διαβάζω... Αρκετα καλό σε Καμια περίπτωση όμως όσο τα προηγούμενα... Πολύ μεγάλη εισαγωγή για να μπει στη δράση... Και γενικά πιο χαμηλού ρυθμου

[dinaana]

Pretty good read.
It's been a while since I've read something so simple and entertaining. Something about solving crimes in the streets of Italy always gets me going. It's my kind of a comfort read.
It took me a while to note all the characters and wrap my head around who is who, but it was still enjoyable even though through the first half of the book I felt like reading about some random dudes scattered all over the world.

[Michelle]

I started this book and got the first 100 pages in , unfortunately it didn't grab my imagination or attention so decided to stop there

[Hannah]

I'm invested in Tom and there isn't a fifth book? Absolutely bogus

[itchy]

spelling:
p28: "So what's the deal with you two?" Stokes wedged a golf umbrella against his shoulder with his chin and flicked a manilla file open.

p104: The windo hummed shut and Santos settled back into his seat.

p171: Another pause, Li first centring Tom's watch on his wrist and then wiping the glass with his thumb.

le mot juste:
p276: A few seconds past, and then the gate buzzed open.

I don't like it that Jennifer had to bite the dust but it's worse that there seems to be no sequel as of yet.

This series is best not read in succession, as the artworks involved in each book tend to get mixed up with the ones previous after a while. At least that's how it was with me.

Khoury' Reilly, and now Twining's Kirk. Dan Brown got extremely lucky with Langdon.

[Kristaps]

Interesting adventure book that involves action and history.

It resembles some kind of James Bond type of spy gadgetry and playfulness with fate, while incorporating a little history lesson through thievery of historical objects.

The whole conspiracy and dealings behind back and overly used mistery about corrupt government is getting old and didn't really sit well with me. In the end it felt that there where too many storylines that lacked representation and makes the big picture a bit hectic and creates feeling its not going anywhere. Not something I'd read second time, but enjoyed while reading it.

[Dokusha]

Eine politische Kriminalgeschichte um Kunstraub, Grabräuberei, Schmuggel und Geldwäsche, in die Mafiaorganisationen, Kunsthändler, Museen und korrupte Polizisten verwickelt sind. Ein kleines Häuflein Aufrechter findet sich zusammen, um ein paar Morde aufzuklären und stellt fest, dass es um sehr viel mehr geht.
Spannend geschrieben verarbeitet es diverse tatsächliche Skandale und Ereignisse und gibt ein paar Einblicke in diese Welt. Manches kommt einem aber unglaubwürdig vor, und irgendwie fehlt das große Aha-Erlebnis.

[Bernie Charbonneau]

Having just read the last two James Twining novels back to back. I found this novel a little more fast paced than the former novel (The Gilded Seal). It was quite enjoyable reminding alot of Steve Berry and his novels. Carrying forward a host of the characters from the previous novel just makes this story that much deeper. If you are a fan of Mr. Berry or Dan Brown then you will find these series of novels very entertaining.

[Christine Byleveld]

The story was not as fast paced as the previous 3 books, and I got confused with all the characters. But the historical story line was still interesting, would like to see more of the new character Alegra and appreciate the loyal camaraderie of the 3 friends. And the plot thickens at the end!.....Looking forward to solving the mystery of who Tom Kirk's parents were.

[Sofia]

Crime story like any other..A safe mix of mystery, art, treason, sense of duty and an otherwise unmatched couple trying to solve 'riddles' and find the criminal masterminds. And all this, mainly in Italy, where mafia and a rich historical past make illegal trafficking of antiquities a most profitable business.

[Lewis Weinstein]

A fast-moving art-theft thriller, with two interesting characters, reformed art thief Tom Kirk and Italian detective Allegra Damico, forming an unlikely investigative pair. Not great literature, but more than adequate excitement. Caravaggio fans will especially like it.

[Ioannis Karagiannakis]

Like the first three in the series, this too is a very enjoyable story. Tom Kirk is one of my favorite heroes now. The only problem is that the author is still writing the next one, so we have to wait for who knows how long.

[Simon Guest]

Second rate thriller. Diverting.

[Tarik Muftic]

THE GENEVA DECEPTION is nicely written book packed with fast actions and lot of twist and turns. The idea for the story is based on a real-life raid on a bonded warehouse in Geneva and that gives a lot of credibility for the realism in the plot and some nice details about world of “ stolen artifacts “. It seems that all of the places, art and artists in the book are also real and accurately described, including a painting that was stolen more than 50 years ago, and is still unaccounted for. The main characters Lieutenant Allegra Damico and Tom Kirk are nicely and realistically described. It is a very enjoyable read and I read it in 9 days and that was fast for me (as I usually read only in bed before going to sleep). Some parts of the plot were not that clear and not that convincing but the ending is quite surprise and overall it is a great read. As this was my first encounter with Tom Kirk I am very tempted to start from the beginning with this series.

[The Honest Book Reviewer]

An entertaining read, but not enthralling. This is part adventure-part thriller, but it doesn't serve the thrills up to the reader in a way to make it a page-turner. It's more a slow thriller, but still had enough going for it to keep me interested.

I enjoyed the dive into the world of the illegal trade of stolen artifacts, and the methods used to smuggle such things. There are a few tidbits of historical value thrown into the novel here and there, but they weren't heavily detailed. Rather, they were designed to serve the purpose of propping up the plot just enough to give it some value. I would have liked a character with a bit more insight into the history what we were seeing.

When I read this type of novel, I think I prefer a little bit of conspiracy thrown into the mix, the type where a manuscript or the like will topple an organisation or provide power and influence. I felt this was a good enough crime thriller, but I think it needed something more.

[Shaunda]

Interesting read. Learned some art history, & didn't realize tomb raiding is such a lucrative business.

Also was not aware that alot of the plundered art is in museums & art galleries all around the world 🌏

Hmmm, so based on information from the Geneva Deception. I was lead to another book 📖 The Medici Conspiracy by Peter Watson & Cecilia Todeschini.

Either way, don't sleep on it.

An eye 👁 opener for sure.

Of course, I'll let you know about The Medici Conspiracy. The title alone definitely has my undivided attention.

Until....

Happy Reading 📚!!!

Ciao💋

Ps. James Twining needs to write another novel. It's been to long. IJS..

[Lucy Siskova]

Byla jsem skeptická. Tolik se toho odehrávalo, že jsem se na chvíli ztratila. Ale spelo to o jednomu zlomu, musela jsem čekat, až se ti dva setkají. Bylo to zdlouhavé a několikrát jsem se přistihla při pomyšlení, ale ne. Vždyť jí přeci řekl, že ji doporučil a ona se pak k němu běží schovat? Ale no tak.
Přišlo mi to překombinované - FBI, italská mafie, rodinné tajemství, zmínky o historii a umění, pár vražd, jeden otevřený konec...

[Sai Theagaraj]

Gripping plot with extensive research on the art and antiquities that line the great museums today.

"She had the strong sense that if she were to reach out and try to grasp anything, it would dissolve under her touch. She realised then that this was a city of hyper-reality, of carbon fibre monuments, plastic trees and contrived experience. The copy of everywhere and yet no where all at once, the desperate striving for authenticity only serving to reveal its essential falsehood."

[Karthik Rao]

The narration is very good keeps you on your toes. It's a very exciting read until the end. The book mainly is not about fitting in the puzzles but also it's a great insight into the grave robbing mafia in Italy
Here 2 detectives from US and Italy are brought together by a series of events. Together they must unravel the people behind the art mafia

[Tealo]

Leider musste ich dieses Buch abbrechen, da über die ersten hundert Seiten keine Spannung aufgebaut wurde. Es werden zahllose Namen und Charaktere genannt/beschrieben, aber ich schien zu niemandem ein Interesse aufzubauen. Auch die vielen Kunsthistorischen Aspekte waren zwar zunächst gut eingebaut, aber dann doch etwas zu viel für meinen Geschmack.

[Diane Sutton]

3.5* Good plot, with good characters. Will definitely look out for more of these.

[Nick]

Continuity issues but overall a good read. It’s a shame it’s the last in the series

[Mike Kimmings-Field]

Awesome book!

[Martin]

Schöner und unterhaltsamer Aktion thriller mit geschichtlichen anspielungen

[Disha Shah]

Reading it while traveling AGAIN..........;-)

[Luke C]

Not quite as good as the previous books, but still an interesting read.

[Rebecca Ramsden]

Great story, great characters. Really interesting when you read at the back which bits were taken from real life. Shame no more have been written.

[Patrick Fero]

Well done!

A good plot played out with admirable English deployed with erudite word play. The ending is a well played shocker. I want to read more his books.