R E K. (bigstone) - , reviewed The Mystery of the Lost Cezanne (Verlaque and Bonnet, Bk 5) on + 1440 more book reviews
The author offers an interesting premise when an unknown painting of a joyeous young woman is found in the former apartment of Paul Cezanne. Now occupied by a man named Rene Rouquet who discovers it, he is found dead, probably murdered. As Verlaque investigates, he discovers that the retired postal worker believed he had discovered an unknown paintaing by Cezanne. However, as the those who should know examine it, some believe that it is an expert forgery and others, that it does not match the type of painting the artist did at the time.
The story goes two directions. First, there is the investigation of the painting theft and the murder. Second, the tale moves backward in time to the life of Cezanne when he occupied the apartment. I liked this approach and found that I wanted to know much more about the painter himself. He was an intensely private man and rarely made friends beyond those he long known. In a brief internet research I did not find the painting described in this novel. However, he painted 900 oil paintings, many of which have not yet surfaced and I could find no mention of a mistress beyone his wife
One of the most fascinating aspects may be the descriptions of life in Aix-en-Provence and the area surrounding it. In addition, I found myself smiling when Verlaque loses the painting on a train ride to get yet another expert opinion about it. Nice touch of humor. Of course, much is predictable but who doesn't like such books? I liked it.
The story goes two directions. First, there is the investigation of the painting theft and the murder. Second, the tale moves backward in time to the life of Cezanne when he occupied the apartment. I liked this approach and found that I wanted to know much more about the painter himself. He was an intensely private man and rarely made friends beyond those he long known. In a brief internet research I did not find the painting described in this novel. However, he painted 900 oil paintings, many of which have not yet surfaced and I could find no mention of a mistress beyone his wife
One of the most fascinating aspects may be the descriptions of life in Aix-en-Provence and the area surrounding it. In addition, I found myself smiling when Verlaque loses the painting on a train ride to get yet another expert opinion about it. Nice touch of humor. Of course, much is predictable but who doesn't like such books? I liked it.
