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Genevieve Lenard #9
The Vecellio Connection
Sadistic smugglers. Hacked cars. The ultimate revenge.
Nonverbal communications expert Doctor Genevieve Lenard and her team have spent the last year tracking Marcus Gallo, a disgraced Brazilian business tycoon and ruthless killer. Then a hacked car transporting artwork brings a teammate’s past back to distract and haunt them all.
When Gallo appears on Genevieve’s doorstep, carrying knowledge of a threat to a top-secret and strategic international event, she faces the challenge of finding the connection between the car hackings, her friend’s past and Gallo’s arrival.
With only seventy-two hours to prevent a disaster that could eclipse recent terror events, Genevieve has to put aside her growing concern for her friends and put her single-minded focus into uncovering Gallo’s true plan.
Nonverbal communications expert Doctor Genevieve Lenard and her team have spent the last year tracking Marcus Gallo, a disgraced Brazilian business tycoon and ruthless killer. Then a hacked car transporting artwork brings a teammate’s past back to distract and haunt them all.
When Gallo appears on Genevieve’s doorstep, carrying knowledge of a threat to a top-secret and strategic international event, she faces the challenge of finding the connection between the car hackings, her friend’s past and Gallo’s arrival.
With only seventy-two hours to prevent a disaster that could eclipse recent terror events, Genevieve has to put aside her growing concern for her friends and put her single-minded focus into uncovering Gallo’s true plan.
297 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 29, 2016
231 people are currently reading
400 people want to read
About the author
Estelle Ryan
32 books627 followersEstelle 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.
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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Displaying 1 - 30 of 80 reviews
April 14, 2016
4.25 Stars
I just devour every book in this series as soon as it's released!!
What I liked: The best thing I can say is...with each entry in this series (Genevieve Lenard), Ms Ryan not only grows the storylines but further develops each and every character.
In The Vecellio Connection, Genevieve - "Jenny", her lover - Colin, and the rest of the team come face to face with the psychotic killer, Marcus Gallo. Jenny has been terrorized by him constantly since she and the team were able to destroy his plots and fellow conspirators. So when he walks right into offices, the team knows he's up to something; but they aren't sure if he's playing them, using them, or being straight with them. Actually, I couldn't figure it out either.
The team just can't take the chance that Gallo is not telling at least part of the truth. In addition, Gallo gives them enough clues to totally knock Vinny's socks off. If you've read any of the previous books, you know Vinny has a pretty unsavory past, but finally we get to hear part of not only his story but a better look at Colin's. Reviewing their back stories through their eyes is very telling and heart wrenching, especially for Vinny.
I sometimes forget Jenny is any in way "normal". Ms Ryan has drawn and developed Jenny so well over this series. Jenny is not ever going to be a kick-ass heroine and that's part of what makes not only her but the series so well done. Jenny does however, have serious skills that are invaluable to her team. The flip side is, all of her friends/co-workers KNOW her. They appreciate her daily battle to try her best to be just a bit more. She learns more "normal typical" behavior each and every day. Just Jenny expressing a thank you to someone for some information or an action is a big sign of her progress.
There is a new character introduced in The Vecellio Connection, no, I can't name names because that would spoil all the fun, but I have a feeling we're going to be seeing a lot more of this character and I'm excited about it. In addition, one of the cast has big, and I mean big news that just might shake up the whole dynamics of this series.
What I didn't like: I'm not sure I liked the resolution of Gallo's character. I'll leave that up to each reader to decide on their own.
Now I'm pins and needles to read what Ms Ryan has in store for the continuation of the series. Some of the plots of previous novels were resolved in this book but she left it wide open for more, thank goodness!!
Highly Recommended, but start at the beginning!!!
I just devour every book in this series as soon as it's released!!
What I liked: The best thing I can say is...with each entry in this series (Genevieve Lenard), Ms Ryan not only grows the storylines but further develops each and every character.
In The Vecellio Connection, Genevieve - "Jenny", her lover - Colin, and the rest of the team come face to face with the psychotic killer, Marcus Gallo. Jenny has been terrorized by him constantly since she and the team were able to destroy his plots and fellow conspirators. So when he walks right into offices, the team knows he's up to something; but they aren't sure if he's playing them, using them, or being straight with them. Actually, I couldn't figure it out either.
The team just can't take the chance that Gallo is not telling at least part of the truth. In addition, Gallo gives them enough clues to totally knock Vinny's socks off. If you've read any of the previous books, you know Vinny has a pretty unsavory past, but finally we get to hear part of not only his story but a better look at Colin's. Reviewing their back stories through their eyes is very telling and heart wrenching, especially for Vinny.
I sometimes forget Jenny is any in way "normal". Ms Ryan has drawn and developed Jenny so well over this series. Jenny is not ever going to be a kick-ass heroine and that's part of what makes not only her but the series so well done. Jenny does however, have serious skills that are invaluable to her team. The flip side is, all of her friends/co-workers KNOW her. They appreciate her daily battle to try her best to be just a bit more. She learns more "normal typical" behavior each and every day. Just Jenny expressing a thank you to someone for some information or an action is a big sign of her progress.
There is a new character introduced in The Vecellio Connection, no, I can't name names because that would spoil all the fun, but I have a feeling we're going to be seeing a lot more of this character and I'm excited about it. In addition, one of the cast has big, and I mean big news that just might shake up the whole dynamics of this series.
What I didn't like: I'm not sure I liked the resolution of Gallo's character. I'll leave that up to each reader to decide on their own.
Now I'm pins and needles to read what Ms Ryan has in store for the continuation of the series. Some of the plots of previous novels were resolved in this book but she left it wide open for more, thank goodness!!
Highly Recommended, but start at the beginning!!!
February 4, 2023
Good continuation !
Oh boy, I read that one fast I guess :-) Excellent continuation of the previous volumes with an interesting plot. Glad to have some further movement around Gallo, and some more. Also, the happenings around the team: fuuuuuun! :D
Oh boy, I read that one fast I guess :-) Excellent continuation of the previous volumes with an interesting plot. Glad to have some further movement around Gallo, and some more. Also, the happenings around the team: fuuuuuun! :D
October 1, 2017
Estelle Ryan creates easily read prose with a story line that makes putting the book down difficult to do. For those reading through the series, this book has a good story line, but it is not as compelling as the earlier novels. Still a good story, but the twists and turns were a little more predictable.
That's OK, as this book and The Moriset Connection follow a story with significant physical violence - which is distressing to the lead character. I am guessing these are the breather books with more interesting stories to come in subsequent books.
Genevieve Lenard continues to evolve emotionally, reasoning through how best to live in a world where most people are not high functioning Autistics. Most of the characters and their relationships grow. Manny Mallard, however, still remains mostly a cypher - rubbing his face and shouting "Holy Bloody Hell," frequently. I'd give 4 stars if Manny's character were more broadly drawn. Although Genevieve is the central story teller, Manny is the enabler: the one who makes the outcomes positive.
That's OK, as this book and The Moriset Connection follow a story with significant physical violence - which is distressing to the lead character. I am guessing these are the breather books with more interesting stories to come in subsequent books.
Genevieve Lenard continues to evolve emotionally, reasoning through how best to live in a world where most people are not high functioning Autistics. Most of the characters and their relationships grow. Manny Mallard, however, still remains mostly a cypher - rubbing his face and shouting "Holy Bloody Hell," frequently. I'd give 4 stars if Manny's character were more broadly drawn. Although Genevieve is the central story teller, Manny is the enabler: the one who makes the outcomes positive.
November 1, 2021
The ninth is this reliably entertaining series, the crime busting group with its leader Dr. Genevieve Leonard pursues some seriously bad guys and find themselves involved with car hackings – having a car's computer system taken over, an old nemesis plotting, and a pair of brothers and perhaps a Russian bad guy involved. There are benefits to reading the series in order but I'd think this absorbing on its own. This does include a likely new member of the inner circle and does leave a dangerous thread unresolved for the future. But as usual, the draw is the different personalities in the group working together and author Ryan's pacing and tech inclusion in the chase.
January 1, 2017
This novel was worth the months of angst prior to its release. From Polonium poisoning of food and water, DarkNet, and computer hacking, we are shown how venerable we are in a computerized- run society. Its negative side effects are not only disastrous to patients on ventilators as a malicious hacker takes over a hospital system, but our cellphones and car's computers are also susceptible to these individuals.
Gallo has finally succumbed to his psychopathic rants and shenanigans, but not before jeopardizing the entire hospital, Dr. Goddard, and the Lenard group. His reasons cited for this apart from the loss of his lover, were the colonization of the Third World countries by France; this is similar to the ramblings echoed by our present day jihadists and their attacks on France and Belgium recently. Art, here, is truly imitating life! Jen and Colin, Manny and Francine, Vinnie and Roxy, and the newly impregnated Nikki have all grown three dimensionally. Jen's meltdowns are less frequent and more controlled, yet her literal interpretations of our daily idioms remain a source of great humor throughout the novel. Her controlled meltdowns makes her a more reliable person, when a tricky, unpleasant situation arises.
Both the plot and character development are above reproach and well executed.
Kudos and thank you, Ms. Ryan!
Gallo has finally succumbed to his psychopathic rants and shenanigans, but not before jeopardizing the entire hospital, Dr. Goddard, and the Lenard group. His reasons cited for this apart from the loss of his lover, were the colonization of the Third World countries by France; this is similar to the ramblings echoed by our present day jihadists and their attacks on France and Belgium recently. Art, here, is truly imitating life! Jen and Colin, Manny and Francine, Vinnie and Roxy, and the newly impregnated Nikki have all grown three dimensionally. Jen's meltdowns are less frequent and more controlled, yet her literal interpretations of our daily idioms remain a source of great humor throughout the novel. Her controlled meltdowns makes her a more reliable person, when a tricky, unpleasant situation arises.
Both the plot and character development are above reproach and well executed.
Kudos and thank you, Ms. Ryan!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 12, 2022
I really like this series and the character and interpersonal relationships that continue to develop through the team's various adventures help to keep the reader interested. As always these books have plots that move. It is only my schedule, and the fact that I read another book between starting and finishing this one, that caused me to take so long with this volume.
This book concentrated more on the intrigue of global spymasters than on either art or music. The art that was stolen isn't recovered and barely mentioned after the heist. It could have been jewels instead of art for all that it matters to the plot, but it needed to be art for the author to have a name for the book that fit in with the rest of the series.
There is also an aircraft carrier sized plot hole in this adventure caused by the necessary clue being in the same random room that is used at the last minute to patch up one of the team. With several empty rooms on the same hallway of the hospital, there is no logical reason why that clue just happened to be in the room that was chosen because there was no way to know that one of the team would be injured when the clue was placed in the room. I would suspect the doctor of complicity with the villains if she wasn't instrumental in saving the team. It is still possible, but I don't think it is likely as Dr. Genevieve Lenard has decided that she is honest and likeable.
While I am always happy to have new members added to the team, they shouldn't all become romantic interests. Novels should normalize the idea that it is okay to be single and not rush to find partners for all of the main characters.
Thankfully I already own the next book in the series so I don't have to wait to discover the unanswered questions that remained at the end of this one.
This book concentrated more on the intrigue of global spymasters than on either art or music. The art that was stolen isn't recovered and barely mentioned after the heist. It could have been jewels instead of art for all that it matters to the plot, but it needed to be art for the author to have a name for the book that fit in with the rest of the series.
There is also an aircraft carrier sized plot hole in this adventure caused by the necessary clue being in the same random room that is used at the last minute to patch up one of the team. With several empty rooms on the same hallway of the hospital, there is no logical reason why that clue just happened to be in the room that was chosen because there was no way to know that one of the team would be injured when the clue was placed in the room. I would suspect the doctor of complicity with the villains if she wasn't instrumental in saving the team. It is still possible, but I don't think it is likely as Dr. Genevieve Lenard has decided that she is honest and likeable.
While I am always happy to have new members added to the team, they shouldn't all become romantic interests. Novels should normalize the idea that it is okay to be single and not rush to find partners for all of the main characters.
Thankfully I already own the next book in the series so I don't have to wait to discover the unanswered questions that remained at the end of this one.
June 14, 2017
Again Genevieve and her crew save the day.
I really REALLY like this series. . . . Genevieve is such an interesting character, very well portrayed, and her friends are a diverse bunch who all accept each other as they are. Yeah, a bit idealized, but it makes for a very likeable bunch of heroes.
Genevieve is on the autism spectrum: she's extremely attentive to detail and expert in micro expressions/deception cues. But her skills come with challenges -- too much stimulus can send her into a shut down. And with the kind of work she does, it's something she has to deal with almost every day.
The series is best read in order; the good news is the first one, The Gaugin Connection is available free on Kindle. And the others are also modestly priced -- a great deal considering the quality of the story and the writing, in my opinion.
I really REALLY like this series. . . . Genevieve is such an interesting character, very well portrayed, and her friends are a diverse bunch who all accept each other as they are. Yeah, a bit idealized, but it makes for a very likeable bunch of heroes.
Genevieve is on the autism spectrum: she's extremely attentive to detail and expert in micro expressions/deception cues. But her skills come with challenges -- too much stimulus can send her into a shut down. And with the kind of work she does, it's something she has to deal with almost every day.
The series is best read in order; the good news is the first one, The Gaugin Connection is available free on Kindle. And the others are also modestly priced -- a great deal considering the quality of the story and the writing, in my opinion.
October 3, 2021
Another awesome book by Estelle Ryan! I can never put them down!
In this book a clearly dying Gallo says he has to see Genevieve. He has a lot of cryptic messages for her. As usual Genevieve and her team pull out all the stops to figure it all out.
Also in this book we find out more of Vinnie's backstory. It explains why he is so close and protective of Nikki.
Speaking of Nikki, she has some big news and I can't imagine how this news will play out with the team/family. It will be very interesting to read.
I love that all of the characters we have met along the way show back up. I am constantly wondering if one of the minor characters will turn out bad.
Roxy is also a new addition to the gang. I'm not sure how a doctor from a hospital will become a pivotal member, but its obvious that she will. I guess a doctor will be handy to the group.
In this book a clearly dying Gallo says he has to see Genevieve. He has a lot of cryptic messages for her. As usual Genevieve and her team pull out all the stops to figure it all out.
Also in this book we find out more of Vinnie's backstory. It explains why he is so close and protective of Nikki.
Speaking of Nikki, she has some big news and I can't imagine how this news will play out with the team/family. It will be very interesting to read.
I love that all of the characters we have met along the way show back up. I am constantly wondering if one of the minor characters will turn out bad.
Roxy is also a new addition to the gang. I'm not sure how a doctor from a hospital will become a pivotal member, but its obvious that she will. I guess a doctor will be handy to the group.
August 21, 2024
“This will be my legacy. One person was responsible for destroying my business, my family and my peaceful life. I will be responsible for destroying the leadership of the most powerful countries in the world and showing the world how vulnerable their leaders are. And how volatile any peace agreement is."
That's some threat and in a lot of ways it's the setup for this time around for Genevieve Lenard and her team. Someone screwed up, talked his brother into coming along and in Estelle Ryan's own convoluted way things get thrilling even if it is based in/on revenge.
As usual I really enjoyed this book and, as usual tell the reader to read the very first book in the series especially if you don't know about Autism Spectrum Disorder. I have bounced around the series but that first book did help me want to know more. Highly Recommended 5/5
That's some threat and in a lot of ways it's the setup for this time around for Genevieve Lenard and her team. Someone screwed up, talked his brother into coming along and in Estelle Ryan's own convoluted way things get thrilling even if it is based in/on revenge.
As usual I really enjoyed this book and, as usual tell the reader to read the very first book in the series especially if you don't know about Autism Spectrum Disorder. I have bounced around the series but that first book did help me want to know more. Highly Recommended 5/5
August 15, 2020
I enjoy the escape of this series so much. The characters are fun (somewhat predictable which is ok) and the plots are wild high crime and beating the bad guys. Genevieve Lenard is a fascinating character due to her high functioning autism. The nuances and struggles that Genevieve experiences in her effort to understand neurotypical people are quite consistent throughout. Estelle Ryan writes that character very well.
When I read this series, I return to the realm of high adventure comic books sans the artwork, suspension of disbelief and enjoy the suspense a la Superman, Scooby Doo, Wonder Woman, and others. What a treat.
When I read this series, I return to the realm of high adventure comic books sans the artwork, suspension of disbelief and enjoy the suspense a la Superman, Scooby Doo, Wonder Woman, and others. What a treat.
August 4, 2025
I missed this series and these characters. It was still plot-heavy, but the relationships were present and lightened the book. I liked the appearance of a potentially new crew member - Roxy. But I wasn’t a fan of Nikki’s pregnancy.
The relationship between Genevieve and Vinnie was so precious.
The relationship between Genevieve and Vinnie was so precious.
“I knew how much he would appreciate a hug, but I couldn’t. I put the tip of my index finger on his shoulder.
He turned his head to look at my finger and his breath hitched. When he looked up at me five seconds later, the pain was replaced by affection. “Thank you, Jen-girl.”
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 21, 2020
This book stays true to the world and characters that Ryan has developed over the last 8 books. It also introduces a new character to the team that I'm excited to learn more about. That being said, the mystery was just nowhere near as compelling as in the previous books and this book was short and felt rushed. I have thoroughly enjoyed this series so I really hope number 10 is back up to the standards that I've come to expect from Dr Lenard and company.
September 29, 2017
This was one of my favorite Genevieve books. The case was really interesting and I appreciated that there was less "Let Genevieve 'Mozart' until she figures it out." I still find the team's banter a little forced, especially Manny insisting on calling EVERYONE by a nickname EVERY time he addresses them. But that's a minor flaw I can mostly get over.
July 28, 2018
Complex problems with an old foe keep the team on their toes.
Complex problems with an old foe keep the team on their toes. As always the characters work together in a uniquely different way. It would be better to start with book one to fully understand all the dynamics between characters. A favorite series of mine.
Complex problems with an old foe keep the team on their toes. As always the characters work together in a uniquely different way. It would be better to start with book one to fully understand all the dynamics between characters. A favorite series of mine.
April 2, 2019
Ms. Ryan's Genevieve Lenard books are a pleasure to read, in fact they are a set of books that have "life" in black and white. i can see the action because the descriptions are so well written. i believe that i have read all of the series and how i missed book 9 amazes me. I am waiting for the next book with baited breath
October 16, 2020
The relationships continue to deepen in this series about Dr. Lenard, a non-neurotypical expert in reading body language and her diverse team of friends and colleagues intent on catching criminals. Less art in this one but old foes return more complex and deadly than ever in a race to save the lives of world leaders.
June 24, 2021
What a wonderful story. The characters are amazing. I can’t wait to see what’s instore for Roxy the new character. 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.
April 12, 2020
The Vecellio
The 9th book in the series finally sees the end of Marco Gallo, the death of one brother and the manhunt for the other. The team is brilliant once more and Nikki is pregnant.
The 9th book in the series finally sees the end of Marco Gallo, the death of one brother and the manhunt for the other. The team is brilliant once more and Nikki is pregnant.
May 27, 2020
Amazing Series
Another great book in the series. Ga,lo returns to get his revenge on the team and they meet a new ally that may become important to the team. The books I the series are always enjoyable and interesting.
Another great book in the series. Ga,lo returns to get his revenge on the team and they meet a new ally that may become important to the team. The books I the series are always enjoyable and interesting.
December 5, 2020
A heart-stopping read, and I've enjoyed all I've read from the very first book to this one, and looking forward to many more. Each book is also a learning experience about autism, art, classical music and so much more. Kudos to Estelle Ryan for her amazing stories.
January 26, 2021
The gang is saving the world again
Genevieve and the crew have on old adversary show up on their doorstep with riddles to solve. High tech antics create a bit of danger and intrigue that puts several National leaders in danger. Read hire the gang solves this mystery.
Genevieve and the crew have on old adversary show up on their doorstep with riddles to solve. High tech antics create a bit of danger and intrigue that puts several National leaders in danger. Read hire the gang solves this mystery.
March 23, 2022
Always a treat!
As usual, Estelle Ryan provides a great story. And some new characters to get to know. She always gives us an insight into Genevieve, but we get to learn more about Vinnie in the Vecellio Connection. Keep it up Estelle!
As usual, Estelle Ryan provides a great story. And some new characters to get to know. She always gives us an insight into Genevieve, but we get to learn more about Vinnie in the Vecellio Connection. Keep it up Estelle!
May 1, 2024
Another gem
This was another gem by Ryan. The addition of new characters should be exciting for the future books. The team dynamics are very important to the enjoyment of the book.
This was another gem by Ryan. The addition of new characters should be exciting for the future books. The team dynamics are very important to the enjoyment of the book.
March 2, 2017
Love this series!
August 20, 2017
One of my favorite series. Can't beat the characters or the unique plot and themes.
January 4, 2018
love this series
March 14, 2018
Great!!
Loved the book. Love Estelle Ryan and her awesome characters. I will gladly recommend her readings to friends and family!
Loved the book. Love Estelle Ryan and her awesome characters. I will gladly recommend her readings to friends and family!
August 30, 2018
Estelle Ryan is my go-to author for quick, fun, easy vacation reads. She doesn't disappoint!
September 7, 2018
This series just keeps getting better. The plots are creative. I especially enjoy watching the characters evolve and learn to be a family. I hope there are many more.
December 21, 2018
Always enjoy Estelle Ryan, not disappointed this time!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 80 reviews