This is a great romantic suspense read with a heartwarming ending, lots of sizzle between the protagonists and some fascinating information shared about Chinese art, the very Chinese concept of face, and how international politics game is played by the big boys. It is a mid-90s release and a book I re-read fairly regularly.
The story revolves around a possible theft of literally priceless antiquities from China. The FBI wants to find them [or better yet, NOT find them] while protecting their information sources from the Chinese who are also investigating. To this end they bring in Lindsay Danner, an American expert on Chinese bronzes whose reputation is utterly impeccable.
The story is set at the time when Capitalism had just started to edge its way into the Chinese culture, shepherded by Chinese leader Deng Xiaoping. Several of the committee sent to investigate the supposed thefts would love to find evidence of the theft with US fingerprints on it and use it as a slap against Xiaoping and his policies All would like to find out as much about the US information gathering system and sources as they can and the theft gives them that chance.
Enter Chen Yi, titular head of the Chinese committee and a man with many agendas. One of which is to protect Lindsay her parents were Chinese missionaries and her mother once saved Chen Yi and Chen Yis son. To this end he uses Jacob MacArthur Catlin, current expert in Pacific Rim relations and ex-CIA agent, by requiring him to repay a debt he owes to the Chen family. His only job is to aid Lindsay in finding the bronzes and protect her along the way. To accomplish this they plan to set up a sting, lure the sellers to where they can be caught. To do this they must appear to be lovers
The search is a convoluted and fascinating trip through the high-end art world. As the book progresses Lindsay is exposed to the seamier side her reputation had protected her from but as Catlins lover and art expert she is assumed to be more flexible than previously thought. Revelations are made that show her own truths in a new and sometimes painful light.
Lindsay is a strong and independent woman but one who is relatively innocent of the uglier truths about international politics, black market art dealing, and the pain associated with living a lie. Catlin knows all those arenas well and he understands betrayal at his deepest core. But he has never met a woman like Lindsay
The interaction between Catlin and Lindsay is compelling he promises never to lie to her and he doesnt, even when the truth is unpalatable. Even so he is gentle and tender with her, helping her to persevere. But Lindsay is not a woman who can easily lie to the world and she starts losing track about what is truth and what is lies And is Catlin lying to her, giving her what she needs to maintain or is the attraction real?
Its a keeper for me.
This is a Elizabeth Lowell reprint. The story revolves around possible stolen bronzes from China and the possibility of US/China relations breakdown if the bronzes are found in the US.
China's most priceless artifacts are being smuggled into the U.S. An international crisis is about to explodeâ"unless a desperate trap to catch a thief succeeds. And one woman is the key . . .
Lindsey Danner is being used by the FBI and both sides of China politics in a bid to break or keep relations with US. Her worldwide reputation as an expert in ancient bronzes and her love for China make her the perfect pawn in a deadly game. But she needs protection. Her total rock solid refusal to lie about a bronze puts her in danger; if she is brought in to identify the stolen bronzes and they are found to be real, relations will break. So, some chinese politicians definitely want her dead.
In comes the Dragon, Jacob MacArthur Catlin, late of the CIA. He is brought in to pay off an old debt to a chinese family. Catlin is to protect Lindsey from everyone and to be her "guide" during an FBI sting to recover the bronzes. However, during the sting, Catlin and Lindsey are to act as lovers. Lindsey finds acting as Catlin's lover hard since she is a truthfull person. As the sting goes on, it becomes harder and harder to tell the truth from lies. Is Catlin attracted to her? or is it the act?
Two puppets on a string. In a maze of intrigue where each deadly twist and turn leads deeper into deception and forbidden desire, friends can be enemies. Truth may be lies. Trust is a dirty word. And the only chance of getting out alive is to cut the strings . . . and grasp the only truth that remains. This is a very riviting and steamy novel. As always, I love the culture, history, and behind the scenes of Lowell's characters' professions. It is always a learning experience reading a Lowell novel for me.
So enjoy "Tell Me No Lies"...
Edge of your seat suspense!
Someone is smuggling artifacts from China. The innocent art expert meets the cynical ex-CIA agent
