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The Chris Norgren Mysteries #1
A Deceptive Clarity
In Berlin to help mount an exhibit of priceless paintings, once thought lost, museum curator and Renaissance art expert Chris Norgren must turn detective when his boss is murdered soon after voicing concern over the paintings' authenticity.
251 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 1987
288 people are currently reading
713 people want to read
About the author
Aaron Elkins
54 books337 followersAaron J. Elkins, AKA Aaron Elkins (born Brooklyn July 24, 1935) is an American mystery writer. He is best known for his series of novels featuring forensic anthropologist Gideon Oliver—the 'skeleton detective'. The fourth Oliver book, Old Bones, received the 1988 Edgar Award for Best Novel. As Oliver is a world-renowned authority, he travels around the world and each book is set in a different and often exotic locale.
In another series, the protagonist is museum curator Chris Norgren, an expert in Northern Renaissance art.
One of his stand-alone thrillers, Loot deals with art stolen by the Nazis and introduces protagonist Dr. Benjamin Revere.
With his wife, Charlotte Elkins, he has also co-written a series of golf mysteries about LPGA member Lee Ofsted. They shared an Agatha Award for their short story "Nice Gorilla".
Aaron and Charlotte live on the Olympic Peninsula in Washington State.
Japanese: アーロン エルキンズ
Series:
* Lee Ofsted (with Charlotte Elkins)
Series contributed to:
* Malice Domestic
In another series, the protagonist is museum curator Chris Norgren, an expert in Northern Renaissance art.
One of his stand-alone thrillers, Loot deals with art stolen by the Nazis and introduces protagonist Dr. Benjamin Revere.
With his wife, Charlotte Elkins, he has also co-written a series of golf mysteries about LPGA member Lee Ofsted. They shared an Agatha Award for their short story "Nice Gorilla".
Aaron and Charlotte live on the Olympic Peninsula in Washington State.
Japanese: アーロン エルキンズ
Series:
* Lee Ofsted (with Charlotte Elkins)
Series contributed to:
* Malice Domestic
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 87 reviews
June 13, 2023
I have enjoyed other books by Aaron Elkins and was delighted to find this newer series featuring art expert Chris Norgren. This is a great introduction to what I expect to be a very good series, particularly for anyone interested in art.
Another plus is the introductory price of 1.99 from Amazon for the kindle format.
The introduction of Chris Norgren is appealing and the element of danger is expertly woven into the plot along with great sites from historical perspective as well as those featuring art and art history.
Currently there are 3 books in this series and I am going to jump into the third very soon as I can afford the price. The second book is over my price limit at this time.
Another plus is the introductory price of 1.99 from Amazon for the kindle format.
The introduction of Chris Norgren is appealing and the element of danger is expertly woven into the plot along with great sites from historical perspective as well as those featuring art and art history.
Currently there are 3 books in this series and I am going to jump into the third very soon as I can afford the price. The second book is over my price limit at this time.
December 11, 2019
I listened to this on audio and it was both an excellent production and a very intriguing mystery. I have a fondness for art mysteries and this one kept and held my interest both with the mystery itself, the charming characters and the European setting. Great fun!
April 27, 2025
In the first in a new series by Aaron Elkins, A Deceptive Clarity is a blend of art history, intrigue, and murder. The story follows Chris Norgren, an art historian and curator from the Seattle Art Museum who is going through a painful divorce. Sympathetic to his current situation, his director offers him an opportunity to assist him in Berlin with the curation of a major exhibition of masterpieces recovered from World War II Nazi Germany. The director also requires his educated eye in identifying a potential forgery among the collection. However, shortly after his arrival the director is murdered. Chris now finds himself embroiled in the complex world of art authentication but also a web of secrets that may endanger his life.
The author who has a background in anthropology brings intellectual depth to the novel. The description of the elements of art authenication with discussions of brush strokes, paint media, and art material was both a strength and weakness. Although the subject was interesting, the technical discussion on art forgery did slow my reading time finding myself ploughing through "the weeds."
The author who has a background in anthropology brings intellectual depth to the novel. The description of the elements of art authenication with discussions of brush strokes, paint media, and art material was both a strength and weakness. Although the subject was interesting, the technical discussion on art forgery did slow my reading time finding myself ploughing through "the weeds."
June 4, 2015
A decent read, though, there were quite a few problems outside the art being described (which seemed accurate, and worked well in the story perspective.) The typos threw me off, whether they were meant as a joke (possibility), or were just due to a lack of editing (EG: Gently being spelled gentiy gets irritating after a bit, a few other words like this); and the overall story relying on a few movie tropes (admittedly), didn't help. The characters, over (Especially detective Harry), are relatable/amicable, which helps the story some, but gives it more "character" than depth. Despite numerous flaws, it was a decent read; but nothing that was anything above average.
October 17, 2020
Lots of great information about art forgeries, verification techniques, and historical provenance. For some readers, it may be a bit much though. An art fake is pretty cool on its own, but throw in a murder and several deadly assaults and I’m there. Will definitely read the next two in this series. Thanks Mhd for the loan!
November 4, 2019
A crime story, an art history lesson, some World War II history, a little love story and a little bit of a travelogue - all rolled into one in this first Chris Norgren mystery by Aaron Elkins. I've read other books by Elkins (his other series about Gideon Oliver, forensic anthropologist, numbers about 16). I have to admit to some confusion with the main character at first. It took me a few pages to realise that Chris Norgren was Christopher and not Christine. I don't know how I got confused but I did realise my mistake when the character talked about a wife leaving. For a moment, I was thinking that this was a very progressive novel but a few more pages soon set me straight. One of the troubles with first-person narration is that the narrator doesn't usually describe him/her self. However, my confusion was soon corrected and it did not dampen the enjoyment of reading the book.
Christopher Norgren is a museum curator in a San Francisco museum. He is given the assignment to help curate an exhibition of paintings looted by the Nazis which were recovered by the US Army (see the movie Monuments Men). All of the art comes from the collection of an Italian collector; some items in the complete collection were not recovered and they are represented by copies. The purpose of the exhibit is to garner some goodwill for the American presence in Europe at a time when American popularity was very low. When Chris arrives in Berlin (this is before the Wall came down), the senior curator hints that there is a forgery in the exhibit and challenges him to find it. Before he can do that, this senior curator is murdered and Chris is seriously beaten attempting to foil a robbery of the paintings. Who ever said that art history is a peaceful occupation? We soon discover that the murder is connected to the art show and that Chris is now a target himself. In trying to solve the mystery of the forgery, he takes us to a number of other venues and gives us some insight into the art world. Elkins has a talent in providing a sense of place; I had a sense of being there as he related the sights, even though I have not been to most of the places visited in the book. Oh, yes, there is something of a love story outside of the art world - it should make things more interesting if the book is ever made into a movie.
I look forward to reading more about Christopher Norgren.
Christopher Norgren is a museum curator in a San Francisco museum. He is given the assignment to help curate an exhibition of paintings looted by the Nazis which were recovered by the US Army (see the movie Monuments Men). All of the art comes from the collection of an Italian collector; some items in the complete collection were not recovered and they are represented by copies. The purpose of the exhibit is to garner some goodwill for the American presence in Europe at a time when American popularity was very low. When Chris arrives in Berlin (this is before the Wall came down), the senior curator hints that there is a forgery in the exhibit and challenges him to find it. Before he can do that, this senior curator is murdered and Chris is seriously beaten attempting to foil a robbery of the paintings. Who ever said that art history is a peaceful occupation? We soon discover that the murder is connected to the art show and that Chris is now a target himself. In trying to solve the mystery of the forgery, he takes us to a number of other venues and gives us some insight into the art world. Elkins has a talent in providing a sense of place; I had a sense of being there as he related the sights, even though I have not been to most of the places visited in the book. Oh, yes, there is something of a love story outside of the art world - it should make things more interesting if the book is ever made into a movie.
I look forward to reading more about Christopher Norgren.
May 30, 2012
The art may be fake, but the murder is genuine..., February 23, 2010
A review of A Deceptive Clarity (Mass Market Paperback) by Aaron J. Elkins
A US Army soldier finds three masterpiece paintings in an old salt mine near Saltzburg, Germany. A Titian, a Rubens, and a Vermeer. These treasures had been stolen from an Italian collector's palazzo in Florence in August 1944 by fleeing Nazis.
Enter Army Colonel Mark Robey. Let's have an art exhibition for the newly-found art, persuade Claudio Bolzano to loan other works, and provide some favorable press in Berlin for the U. S. Forces. And so Treasures of Four Centuries: The Plundered Past Recovered is launched.
Enter Chris Norgren. Chris is a curator at the San Francisco museum that has been awarded the oversight of The Plundered Past exhibition by the U. S. Defense Department. He's young, bored, and has a less-than-stellar degree in art history from San Jose State.
When the chief curator (and Chris' immediate supervisor), Peter Van Cortlandt, calls from Berlin requesting help with irregularities, Chris accepts assignment as deputy director of the exhibition and flies to Berlin.
After a brief discussion with Chris regarding a suspicious painting without naming the work in question, Van Cortlandt flies to Frankfurt to acquire an El Greco belonging to Bolzano for the Berlin exhibition. He is found murdered near a Frankfurt brothel.
As Chris tries to solve the mystery with the help of a grungy OSI Major, the reader is deluged with some fascinating facts and glimpses of the art world: such as the difficult procedures of mounting an exhibition and the steps of investigating a suspected forgery.
We follow Chris into the golden world of Florentine Cinquecento, discover methods of verification and authenticity of art, learn the vernacular--craquelure, pointelle, etc.
And we marvel at the architecture of Germany and Italy, have lunch at the Berlin Zoo and gourmet breakfast at a small hotel in Florence.
Elkins is the Edgar award-winning author of the Gideon Oliver novels. A DECEPTIVE CLARITY is the first of a trilogy of Chris Norgren art history mysteries. Published in 1987, it may have been before its time with the combination of mystery and art, but a current reading is highly recommended.
4 out of 5 stars
A review of A Deceptive Clarity (Mass Market Paperback) by Aaron J. Elkins
A US Army soldier finds three masterpiece paintings in an old salt mine near Saltzburg, Germany. A Titian, a Rubens, and a Vermeer. These treasures had been stolen from an Italian collector's palazzo in Florence in August 1944 by fleeing Nazis.
Enter Army Colonel Mark Robey. Let's have an art exhibition for the newly-found art, persuade Claudio Bolzano to loan other works, and provide some favorable press in Berlin for the U. S. Forces. And so Treasures of Four Centuries: The Plundered Past Recovered is launched.
Enter Chris Norgren. Chris is a curator at the San Francisco museum that has been awarded the oversight of The Plundered Past exhibition by the U. S. Defense Department. He's young, bored, and has a less-than-stellar degree in art history from San Jose State.
When the chief curator (and Chris' immediate supervisor), Peter Van Cortlandt, calls from Berlin requesting help with irregularities, Chris accepts assignment as deputy director of the exhibition and flies to Berlin.
After a brief discussion with Chris regarding a suspicious painting without naming the work in question, Van Cortlandt flies to Frankfurt to acquire an El Greco belonging to Bolzano for the Berlin exhibition. He is found murdered near a Frankfurt brothel.
As Chris tries to solve the mystery with the help of a grungy OSI Major, the reader is deluged with some fascinating facts and glimpses of the art world: such as the difficult procedures of mounting an exhibition and the steps of investigating a suspected forgery.
We follow Chris into the golden world of Florentine Cinquecento, discover methods of verification and authenticity of art, learn the vernacular--craquelure, pointelle, etc.
And we marvel at the architecture of Germany and Italy, have lunch at the Berlin Zoo and gourmet breakfast at a small hotel in Florence.
Elkins is the Edgar award-winning author of the Gideon Oliver novels. A DECEPTIVE CLARITY is the first of a trilogy of Chris Norgren art history mysteries. Published in 1987, it may have been before its time with the combination of mystery and art, but a current reading is highly recommended.
4 out of 5 stars
July 29, 2015
Aaron Elkins has, over many years, written many books (sometimes with Charlotte Elkins). There is, of course, his vastly entertaining and long, long series featuring forensic anthropologist Gideon Fell. I recently read one featuring a young female art consultant named Alix London, who has a troubled pedigree. There is also, as I remember, a short series about a wine expert whose name is no longer accessible to my memory. And then there is this series featuring Chris Nordgren, a curator for an art museum, who is the acknowledged Pro from Dover to detect art forgeries, particularly of certain artists. They are all very nice, and you can't go wrong reading any of them. Notice the recurrence of the word "expert" in my descriptions. And that is what they all have in common: all of the protagonists really know their stuff. None of this fou-fou "I don't really know what I'm doing but maybe I can bluff my way past this" nonsense. You like these people and you respect them, even if they do have human failings and blind spots. And odds are, you'll learn something about something, even if (in the case of Gideon Fell) it is sometimes kind of icky.
This particular volume is one I read very long ago (ah, the blessings of Kindle Unlimited) and I had a few vague memories of the reason for all the murders, bombings and attempted robberies, But I enjoyed it just the same. Chris is called to Germany to look at paintings in a big time exhibit of art recovered from the Nazis. The head curator gives a cryptic hint that one of the paintings isn't all it claims to be. Things start off with a bang (literally) when someone blows the doors off the building where the paintings are being stored just as Chris gets there to look at them. Pretty much, the action doesn't let up, there's a light romantic interest, and there's lots about art. What more can one ask?
This particular volume is one I read very long ago (ah, the blessings of Kindle Unlimited) and I had a few vague memories of the reason for all the murders, bombings and attempted robberies, But I enjoyed it just the same. Chris is called to Germany to look at paintings in a big time exhibit of art recovered from the Nazis. The head curator gives a cryptic hint that one of the paintings isn't all it claims to be. Things start off with a bang (literally) when someone blows the doors off the building where the paintings are being stored just as Chris gets there to look at them. Pretty much, the action doesn't let up, there's a light romantic interest, and there's lots about art. What more can one ask?
November 9, 2013
It is interesting reading an author's earliest works, especially in genre fiction. You can watch as he (or she) develops as an author, fleshing out cardboard characters as he goes, making rounded edges of abrupt plot changes.
This is especially true in this book, in which Elkins introduced a new character, an art historian named Chris Norgren. I didn't read the blurb, so I jumped into Chapter 1 expecting my friend "The Skeleton Doctor" and couldn't figure out why we were in an art museum with a bunch of unknowns. In a mystery, that usually means the reader is getting some inside information about the bad guys. But wait: it also shows a certain level of sophistication I hadn't expected of Elkins at this point. So I caved in and read the blurb.
Having just read the first "Skeleton" mystery recently, I could see some extremely obvious similarities in the two books: Europe, Army base, shlubby detective with a great sense of humor, a hero with fighting skills that are outrageously unexpected. The plots are similar too.
But it's a good plot, even if those corners are very rounded yet, and the characters tend to be cardboard figures placed hither and yon for decor. There's a lot of info about art and art history here, and that kept my attention. I didn't know anything about Vermeer or El Greco beyond being able to tell them apart (!); I still don't know much, but the details showed that Elkins has promise...which is proven out by the knowledge of his later novels.
This is especially true in this book, in which Elkins introduced a new character, an art historian named Chris Norgren. I didn't read the blurb, so I jumped into Chapter 1 expecting my friend "The Skeleton Doctor" and couldn't figure out why we were in an art museum with a bunch of unknowns. In a mystery, that usually means the reader is getting some inside information about the bad guys. But wait: it also shows a certain level of sophistication I hadn't expected of Elkins at this point. So I caved in and read the blurb.
Having just read the first "Skeleton" mystery recently, I could see some extremely obvious similarities in the two books: Europe, Army base, shlubby detective with a great sense of humor, a hero with fighting skills that are outrageously unexpected. The plots are similar too.
But it's a good plot, even if those corners are very rounded yet, and the characters tend to be cardboard figures placed hither and yon for decor. There's a lot of info about art and art history here, and that kept my attention. I didn't know anything about Vermeer or El Greco beyond being able to tell them apart (!); I still don't know much, but the details showed that Elkins has promise...which is proven out by the knowledge of his later novels.
September 12, 2013
If I had liked more Chris I would put four stars to this review, but I think like Annie , other character of this book when she meets Chris . Above this I truly appreciated this story, I love art and I learned more things reading this book...and I'm Italian so is was nice reading in the setting environment by this series the references to Italian city and works of art . Like mystery story, still I have appreciated the clear and clever plot, the frankly speech of investigation , and the character of Harry above all.
December 29, 2023
Good Story!
This was a good story. The main character is an Art Curator on loan to the Defense Dept. located in Germany for showing of stolen Nazi priceless art masterpieces. There is murder, several attempted murders and a forgery masterpiece to find.
I like murder mysteries with usually premises and locations. This fits the bill. I also liked the historical information about art world/ masterpieces. Pls note this is an older novel set around 1985 or so! Interesting premise!
This was a good story. The main character is an Art Curator on loan to the Defense Dept. located in Germany for showing of stolen Nazi priceless art masterpieces. There is murder, several attempted murders and a forgery masterpiece to find.
I like murder mysteries with usually premises and locations. This fits the bill. I also liked the historical information about art world/ masterpieces. Pls note this is an older novel set around 1985 or so! Interesting premise!
May 22, 2013
To enjoy this story, you would have to be interested in the world of fine art and art forgeries. I am somewhat interested in that, so I didn't find all the exposition (much of the story) too tedious, but still I remained aware that to follow the story, I had to be told a lot of things about painting and time-authentic forgeries. The protagonist was mostly enjoyable, but I found the solution to the mystery a bit unsatisfying. I didn't understand why the "bad guy" had done what he had done.
January 1, 2021
Some light reading that kept me semi-interested for a week or so. If you are a lover of art, you might really enjoy this book. It’s a thriller written in the style of Dan Brown. In other words, the in depth exposure to fine art and the fine art of forging it is in the background of the story much like Brown does with cultural history. But the mystery itself makes little sense and the ending, while surprising, did not leave me in its thrall.
February 6, 2019
I've been pulled in by a pretty cover. I don't dislike it, but we'll see.
December 20, 2020
Fun start to a new mystery series. Art historian lead character.
August 4, 2025
This series concentrates on art history mysteries, this one involving art stolen from Jewish families by the Nazis, and what happens when it is recovered. The plot/puzzle is well drawn out, and the novel told with continual threat and jeopardy for the unwary art expert protagonist. Enjoyable murder mystery, with a bit of art history education thrown in.
January 20, 2024
A lot of art history; but necessary for the plot. However it was very disconcerting to find a painting dated to 7 years after the artist's death - particularly an artist in the main character's period of specialization...
July 26, 2024
Intriguing read with ample details on famous painters. Art lovers who also love mystery will love this book.
September 6, 2024
Very Informative
What A way to solve a mystery and learn a bit about art at the same time. I'll be looking for the next one soon.
What A way to solve a mystery and learn a bit about art at the same time. I'll be looking for the next one soon.
January 30, 2025
Kind of Tame
Or maybe l mean simple, but in a good way. I'm always here for any art theft story. As an introduction to a series, l hope the storylines get better.
Or maybe l mean simple, but in a good way. I'm always here for any art theft story. As an introduction to a series, l hope the storylines get better.
October 24, 2018
Aaron Elkins writes an enjoyable series about a forensic anthropologist, Gideon Oliver, so I thought I'd try his art mysteries (although it turns out, I have read the third in the series).
Sadly, I sat through a mandatory art appreciation class with indifference, only to regret it a few months later when I saw some of the originals in European museums. Or did I? Science now allows identification of misattributions, well executed forgeries, rediscovered stolen paintings and other mistakes in art collections. Elkins has managed to weave all into an interesting mystery.
As well, Elkins examines what constitutes great art. Is a misattributed painting less beautiful because one of Rubens' student or even a forger executed it? I wonder about the paintings that so stunned me. Yet Elkins writes with such enthusiasm for paintings that I am willing to dispense with knowing whether the paintings I saw were authentic or not and simply enjoy the memory.
One of the reviewers complained about editing. I noticed a few bits but not enough to put me off.
* p. 7 line 5: "coincide" misspelled.
* p. 22 ¶ 2: missing quotation mark.
* p. 46 ¶ 3 line 6: "subject" misspelled.
* p. 58 ¶ 2: extraneous quotation mark.
* p. 228 ¶ 6: indent.
Sadly, I sat through a mandatory art appreciation class with indifference, only to regret it a few months later when I saw some of the originals in European museums. Or did I? Science now allows identification of misattributions, well executed forgeries, rediscovered stolen paintings and other mistakes in art collections. Elkins has managed to weave all into an interesting mystery.
As well, Elkins examines what constitutes great art. Is a misattributed painting less beautiful because one of Rubens' student or even a forger executed it? I wonder about the paintings that so stunned me. Yet Elkins writes with such enthusiasm for paintings that I am willing to dispense with knowing whether the paintings I saw were authentic or not and simply enjoy the memory.
One of the reviewers complained about editing. I noticed a few bits but not enough to put me off.
* p. 7 line 5: "coincide" misspelled.
* p. 22 ¶ 2: missing quotation mark.
* p. 46 ¶ 3 line 6: "subject" misspelled.
* p. 58 ¶ 2: extraneous quotation mark.
* p. 228 ¶ 6: indent.
June 23, 2017
Too much art history
Chris Norgren has been hired to help oversee an important exhibit of a private collectors' paintings. Added to the collection has been four pieces recently discovered that had been confiscated by the Nazis and thought to be lost forever. His friend and mentor discloses that he has discovered a probable forgery amongst the famous paintings and challenges Chris to see if he can spot the fake. The friend leaves the next day for a quick trip and is murdered before he can return and tell Chris which painting is the forgery.
While Chris searches through the collection he (and the author) takes the opportunity to show off his expertise in art. Way too much information about techniques, use of color, layers, materials used and how he can determine if the piece is really an original work.
After a few attempts on his life, he solves the puzzle, wins the girl, satisfying ending. A fun read and a nice diversion on a rainy day.
Chris Norgren has been hired to help oversee an important exhibit of a private collectors' paintings. Added to the collection has been four pieces recently discovered that had been confiscated by the Nazis and thought to be lost forever. His friend and mentor discloses that he has discovered a probable forgery amongst the famous paintings and challenges Chris to see if he can spot the fake. The friend leaves the next day for a quick trip and is murdered before he can return and tell Chris which painting is the forgery.
While Chris searches through the collection he (and the author) takes the opportunity to show off his expertise in art. Way too much information about techniques, use of color, layers, materials used and how he can determine if the piece is really an original work.
After a few attempts on his life, he solves the puzzle, wins the girl, satisfying ending. A fun read and a nice diversion on a rainy day.
Read
November 16, 2013Chris Norgren, museum curator and Renaissance art expert, heads to Berlin to assist in mounting a sensational exhibit: The Plundered Past--twenty priceless Old Masters looted by the Nazis, thought for decades to be lost forever, and only recently rediscovered. But things quickly get out of hand when Chris's patrician, fastidious boss, after smelling a forgery in the lot, turns up dead the very next day--on the steps of a dismal Frankfurt brothel, of all places. Now Chris faces two daunting tasks: finding a fake painting among the masterpieces, and a real killer whose sights are now set on him. Chris and Anne, a military person helping with stolen art returned to the original owners, get together. He finds the forgery and the art critic is the killer
March 17, 2016
Set in 1986, San Francisco museum curator Chris Norgren is in Berlin to assist the U.S. military in mounting an exhibit of paintings looted by the Nazis from an Italian collector. Just before he is murdered, Chris’ boss lets on that one of the pieces in the collection is not what it seems. The book would be most interesting to readers who are fascinated by a description of the meticulous pre-internet era research to prove the authenticity of the paintings. Unfortunately, Chris is better at small details than big pictures. The solution becomes fairly obvious a long time before he catches on.
April 7, 2019
I really enjoyed this early offering from Aaron Elkins. Murder mysteries set in the rarefied and usually placid art/music/literature world appeal to me especially. This one was no exception and I found myself moved to begin the second book in the series immediately after finishing the first. I engaged with Dr. Norgren immediately and the plotting and writing kept me interested.
The addition of Nazi 'liberated' priceless artwork and the meticulous background information and research were a nice bonus. I found a number of hitherto unknown-to-me artists to follow up on.
All in all a good solid entertaining mystery.
The addition of Nazi 'liberated' priceless artwork and the meticulous background information and research were a nice bonus. I found a number of hitherto unknown-to-me artists to follow up on.
All in all a good solid entertaining mystery.
June 30, 2015
I think this is the 2nd Aaron Elkins book I've read, and I think I'm starting to get into this series. I loved the setting -- Berlin -- because I've been there multiple times to visit my daughter, so all the places he describes resonate and are familiar. As also his trips to London, visiting the National Gallery etc. I have learned a lot about art, and the art world rife with forgeries, all manner of scandal etc. This is not a subject I am very educated in, so that is fun. I'm sure I'll be reading another one soon.
February 25, 2018
Clearly a good story
Am I ever so glad to have discovered this author. He writes cleanly at a fast pace but without skipping essential details. He does not use "filler prose" either - an unfortunate habit of writers in this genre - where details of no value to the storyline are inserted - maybe because the author thinks that more words make a better book. Elkins' spare writing nevertheless draws credible characters and the plot flows easily. This is my second book by Aaron Elkins. Five stars for both. Now to see if he keeps it up as I read more from his pen...
Am I ever so glad to have discovered this author. He writes cleanly at a fast pace but without skipping essential details. He does not use "filler prose" either - an unfortunate habit of writers in this genre - where details of no value to the storyline are inserted - maybe because the author thinks that more words make a better book. Elkins' spare writing nevertheless draws credible characters and the plot flows easily. This is my second book by Aaron Elkins. Five stars for both. Now to see if he keeps it up as I read more from his pen...
April 15, 2013
I read this for my mystery book group. The book is the first in a series featuring Chris Norgren, a museum curator from San Francisco who is sent to Berlin to help coordinate a traveling exhibition of paintings which were taken by the Nazis during WWII. Although the mystery aspect of the story was rather weak, I did enjoy learning about forgeries. Interestingly, I just finished reading The Art Forger by B.A. Shapiro and they were good read alikes.
July 10, 2015
Sometimes a daily reader craves comfort reading like comfort food. Author Aaron Elkins' A Deceptive Clarity with art scholar & curator Chris Norgren was just as satisfying as Cajun chicken stew for me. A cozy mystery filled with art facts about Vermeer and other artists it was spiced with the humor of a character who blended his strengths & weaknesses like onions & roux. Cultural details about Germany, Italy, and Great Britain resulted in just the right taste as the murder was solved!
March 10, 2017
Like a lot of books I have been reading lately, this promised much at the beginning. A museum curator is charged with mounting an exhibition of twenty masterpieces plundered by the Nazis. I enjoyed the Berlin setting but the storyline got overly complicated and some of the expert's dialogue was overly pedantic. I plodded on though, through all the extra characters and the resolution was satisfying.
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