Review copy was received from Publisher. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
The Art of Deception by Leonard Goldberg Narrator: Steve West
Series: The Daughter of Sherlock Holmes Mysteries #4
Published by MacMillan on June 16, 2020
Genres: Mystery, Historical Fiction
Length: 9 hours, 27 minutes
Format: Audiobook
Source: Publisher
Goodreads
Amazon, Audible, Audiobook, Barnes & Noble, Apple
USA Today bestselling author Leonard Goldberg returns with another puzzling case for the daughter of Sherlock Holmes to unravel in this exciting mystery, The Art of Deception, sure to be enjoyed by fans of Sherlock Holmes as well Laurie R. King and Charles Finch.
In the west end of London, an apparently crazed individual is on the loose, breaking into art galleries and private homes to slash valuable paintings of women. Despite Scotland Yard’s best efforts, the criminal remains at large and continues on his destructive path.
When Joanna and the Watsons are called in to solve the mystery, they soon discover that although the canvases have been slashed, their backings remain pristine, with no cuts or scratches. The criminal, it seems, is no mere vandal—he's searching for something hidden behind the portraits.
Suspicion soon falls on two skilled art restorers who previously worked at the gallery where all the vandalized art was purchased. Luckily, Joanna has a plan for ensnaring the criminal once and for all. But it must not fail, or more paintings—and lives—will be lost.
I was thrilled to continue with The Daughter of Sherlock Holmes Mysteries series. I love Sherlock Holmes style mysteries, and the setting in England. Even if I didn’t, this is narrated by STEVE WEST.
There have been a number of art vandalisms and break-ins. The Watson family is on the case. There were plenty of interesting details about paintings and art masters. It’s always fascinating to learn how the observations and logic turn into evidence.
Johnny comes home from school ill and that is tense for a bit. He wants to follow the case information and ask his questions. Toby 2, of course, plays a part in tracking down the culprit. Several times it looks as though the thief might get away as it’s a race to find the valuable art. But our sleuths are smarter than most everyone.
I’m really enjoying this series on audio. It’s fun with a historical setting. In this case, I thankfully didn’t remember the blurb as I think it tells too much, so I left out a bit.
Narration:
I love everything STEVE WEST!!!!!! He’s just my favorite. I enjoyed listening to this story at my usual 1.5x speed. I appreciate his work with both male and female voices and he handles the English characters so well. Definitely, his narration enhanced my enjoyment.
Listen to a clip: HERE
About Steve West
A London native, Steve began his career by winning the Stage & Television Today acting scholarship at the age of 17 (after ironically believing that he had bombed the audition!). What followed took him through one of London’s top drama conservatories, onto the West End stage in ABBA’s musical phenomenon Mamma Mia! and then to working opposite the likes of Chucky the killer doll and Don Draper in TV’s Mad Men.
Having moved to the States in 2009 he earned a place as a highly respected and award winning voice over artist working across commercials, films, documentary, audiobooks and video games. He starred as Galahad in Sony’s epic motion capture release The Order 1886 which took over 2 years to film and employed the most up-to-date filming and audio techniques in the field.
Versatile in a multitude of ways from acting to singing to dancing to dying 100’s of different ways in a sound booth he continues to enjoy work both on stage, screen and behind a mic. Check out his latest news on the home page, join the conversation on Facebook and twitter and even head back to the 1800s and ‘be’ Steve/Galahad on the PS4!
About Leonard Goldberg
Leonard Goldberg is an American physicist, professor of medicine, and the author of the Joanna Blalock series of medical thrillers.
His novels have been translated into a dozen languages and sold more than a million copies worldwide. Leonard Goldberg is himself a consulting physician affiliated with the UCLA Medical Center, where he holds an appointment as Clinical Professor of Medicine. A sought-after expert witness in medical malpractice trials, he is board certified in internal medicine, hematology and rheumatology, and has published over a hundred scientific studies in peer-reviewed journals.
Leonard Goldberg’s writing career began with a clinical interest in blood disorders. While involved in a research project at UCLA, he encountered a most unusual blood type. The patient’s red blood cells were O-Rh null, indicating they were totally deficient in A, B and Rh factors and could be administered to virtually anyone without fear of a transfusion reaction. In essence, the patient was the proverbial “universal” blood donor. This finding spurred the idea for a story in which an individual was born without a tissue type, making that person’s organs transplantable into anyone without worry of rejection. His first novel, Transplant, revolved around a young woman who is discovered to be a universal organ donor and is hounded by a wealthy, powerful man in desperate need of a new kidney. The book quickly went through multiple printings and was optioned by a major Hollywood studio.
Dr. Goldberg is a native of Charleston and a long-time California resident. He currently divides his time between Los Angeles and an island off the coast of South Carolina.
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I read all types of books but my favorites are urban fantasy and romantic suspense.I like some romance and some action / adventure / mystery in everything.I like sex in my books but please, only between TWO people.Intimate conversation is equally important to the sex in a book.It lets me see the characters.The other thing I enjoy is humor.
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Reading this book contributed to these challenges:
- COYER-20
I love the sound of this series. I love Sherlock Holmes, so the idea of a mystery series about his daughter definitely speaks to me. And I’m glad you enjoyed this one.
I’m not really good in finding time to listen to audiobooks though.. so I’ll have a look at a kindle version.
Great review.
It’s a great series. I like mysteries and English mysteries and even historical mysteries. Sherlock Holmes – and now his daughter – have such a clever use of observation which most would miss the details.
I listened to the audio sample and I love Steve West’s narration to! Hey let’s be real. I could listen to a British accent all day and be happy?
Yes. I always pay more attention to the ones he is narrating. I am sure I could enjoy him reading the newspaper or phone book. (I have been known to listen to his clips more than once.) But there are so many great audiobooks he has recorded I am working through them.
You continue to tease me with this series! Wonderful review, Anne?
Thank you! Have you listened to Steve West? He is amazing.
Not really. I’ve listened to him on books where there were multiple narrators so I don’t have a memory of him individually.
as soon as i saw the cover i thought of that tv show….oh man, i can’t remember the name of it. it’s coming back for another season though. LOL
I won’t be any help as I don’t watch tv very often. I did watch the Thomas Lynley and some Agatha Christie mysteries on PBS. Also Foyle’s War and both Inspector Morse and his successor Inspector Lewis.
That’s great you are really enjoying this series and the narration. I’m curious about the series from your reviews. Thank’s for sharing.
It’s enjoyable. I hope you get to try the series and of course, Steve West’s narration.
Love Steve West’s narration! It’s kind of weird seeing a picture of him after only hearing his voice in the past. I do enjoy historical mysteries like this one so I’ll have to keep this series in mind.
Steve West is amazing. I try to do author boxes for the narrators too but it’s hard to find info on some of them. I’m enjoying this series so I hope you like it.
That cover wowed me. She looks like she’s got some snark. LOL This sounds so good!
It’s so Sherlock Holmes factual – deadpan – that it is like snark. I love this sort of story.