Review: Liar’s Key

Book Title: Liar’s Key
Author: Carla Neggers
Series: Sharpe & Donovan #6
Genres: Contemporary Fiction, Romantic Suspense, Mystery
Goodreads

Date Read: 09/20/16
Pub Date: 08/30/16

4 STARS

Emma Sharpe is suspicious when retired Special Agent Gordon Wheelock, a legend in FBI art crimes, drops by her Boston office for a visit. Gordy says he’s heard rumors about stolen ancient mosaics. Emma, an art crimes specialist herself, won’t discuss the rumors. Especially since they involve Oliver York, an unrepentant English art thief. Gordy and Emma’s grandfather, a renowned private art detective, chased Oliver for a decade. Gordy knows Wendell Sharpe didn’t give him everything he had on the thief. Even now, Oliver will never be prosecuted.

When a shocking death occurs, Emma is drawn into the investigation. The evidence points to a deadly conspiracy between Wendell and Oliver, and Emma’s fiancé, deep cover agent Colin Donovan, knows he can’t stay out of this one. He also knows there will be questions about Emma’s role and where her loyalties lie.

From Boston to Maine to Ireland, Emma and Colin track a dangerous killer as the lives of their family and friends are at stake. With the help of their friend, Irish priest Finian Bracken, and Emma’s brother, Lucas, the Sharpes and Donovans must band together to stop a killer.

I have to say that 2016 has been a year of many new authors for me. Some have been better than others, but I was seriously pleased with my first read by Carla Neggers. Being this is #6 in the Sharpe and Donovan series, I was understandably nervous that I’d be lost and unsure of the continuous storyline involving the duo, but this was not the case. Neggers does a fine job of recapping a good bit of the previous storyline and I feel confident most anyone could do the same and pick up right here in book 6. I’m sure there is much to be gained from the rest of the series; I don’t want to downplay it’s importance, just emphasize how fine a job the author does of keeping the reader up to date.

I love a good story about art heists, so I assumed the main plot would intrigue me from beginning to end. As stated before, I was most worried about the continuing plot and relationships between the reoccurring characters, but this turned out to be an easy read to jump into, making this a well-rounded, enjoyable mystery. The romantic line of story was enjoyable and not over the top; I’d chalk this up to the continuation of the relationship over 6 books thus far and more in the future. I also loved the varying settings and cultures displayed in the story; I could just picture the landscapes in Maine and Ireland and found myself getting lost in the beauty of these places. The novel wrapped up nicely while making me want to look back at the past stories in the series to fill in a few of the blanks for me, but also for backstory of how these characters got to where they are now. The pacing was quick and held my attention, so I’d mark this a fairly fast read for most people.

I’d recommend this to fans of romantic suspense with a unique mystery; Carla Neggers has clearly created a series that is easy to fall into and draws the reader in with a fascinating plot and a lovely cover. Many thanks to Christi at MIRA pub for my copy in exchange for a fair and honest review.