Synopsis
From Egyptian treasures on the English Riviera to a mystery in glamorous Monaco …
Renowned Egyptologist Dr Elliott Elwood is slightly puzzled when he’s invited to Torquay to take part in a bizarre bidding war for a well-known artefact collection. But, of course, he couldn’t pass up the chance to view the ‘Cleopatra Necklace’ – an infamous piece from the collection, rumoured to be cursed.
However, Elliott’s weekend away with his fellow bidders, including the strangely familiar Maisie Norris – if that is her real name – ends up involving far more than afternoon tea and historical chit-chat.
Cunning thievery and clever games abound in the days and weeks that follow, eventually culminating in a glitzy but potentially perilous masked ball on the Côte d’Azur. Will Elliott find an element of truth in the Necklace’s notorious reputation, or could his growing connection with the mysterious Maisie bring him all the luck he needs?
Book 4 – Riviera series. Book 1 – Summer in San Remo. Book 2 – A Wedding on the Riviera. Book 3 – A Villa in Portofino.
Evonne Wareham
Evonne Wareham was born in South Wales and spent her childhood there. After university she migrated to London, where she worked in local government, scribbled novels in her spare time and went to the theatre a lot. Now she’s back in Wales, living by the sea, writing and studying a PHD in history. She still loves the theatre, likes staying in hotels and enjoys the company of other authors through her membership of the Romantic Novelists’ Association.
Evonne’s debut novel, Never Coming Home won the 2012 Joan Hessayon New Writers’ Award, the 2013 Colorado Romance Writers’ Award for Romantic Suspense, the Oklahoma National Readers’ Choice Award for Romantic Suspense plus was a nominee for a Reviewers’ Choice Award from RT Book Reviews.
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Murder, mystery, intrique & surprise
This is book 4 in Evonne’s Riviera collection. Although there is a brief but leverly written overlap to another book in this series, Evonne’s books can all be enjoy and read alone as well.
Dr Elwood is an renowned Egyptologist who is sought out to authenticate an egyptian relic from the Aristotle Pentecost collection prior to it going to auction. Little does Elliott know just what touble this necklace will bring.
Masie Webster is on assignment. She is a detective who loves what she does along with the fact that no two jobs are ever the same.
Jake McQuire owns the agency and is very well respected and has an inner sensor for potential alerts. He sends Masie on assignment to inspect and bid on a private collection of art, artefacts and jewellery on behalf of a reclusive billionaire.
As soon as Masie spots Dr Elliott her guard goes up, she has seen him before and yet again he is looking down his nose at her. But why?
Dr Elliott and Masie embark on a rollercoaster of a ride in search of an Egytptian artefact, stolen from right under their noses. This also happens to be Cleopatra’s necklace – the one Masie is there to do the bidding on and Elliott is there to authenticate !
I enjoyed the suspense and romance of this. My favourite character in this is actually Jake (Masie’s boss but he is pretty damn cool too )!
An enjoyable, romantic who dunnit! I found this to be an interesting story line which was just about believable. For me this was a very easy read with a good crime bringing to the romantic element an additional dimension. The scene is between the English and the French rivieras and both are well portrayed. I loved finding how Maisie and Elliott became acquainted and their developing relationship was very appealing.
A super instalment in the Riviera series from Ms Wareham – I enjoy the suspense of these books which complement the romantic side of the story nicely, without being too gruesome. The story flows along nicely and we get the chance to catch up with a couple of characters we have met before – though it can easily be read as a standalone. I’m very happy to recommend it as a good read for anyone.
4* What a fun book, a romantic ‘who done it’ with plenty of intriguing false trails.
Senior lecturer of Egyptian history, Doctor Elliot Elwood, is commissioned by his university to bid for an ancient art collection including the infamous Cleopatra Necklace with its history of bad luck to whoever owns it. Before the actual auction, a robbery occurs and the necklace disappears, only to later reappear in France. With his university still determined to obtain the treasures, Elliot travels to the South of France to attend a private, and probably dangerous, sale of the necklace. He must constantly keep alert to the danger connected to the auction, and not become dazzled by the Côte d’Azur, playground of the rich and famous with its brilliant blue sky, super yachts and lavish villas hugging the coastline.
I jumped at the chance to read this author’s latest book – recommended.