LEGAL VS. ETHICAL

The Vanished is a remarkably well-written and well-researched novel. Author Cara Putman takes on the task of creating a story that reminds readers of the vicious looting of priceless art during WWII. With that as a background, she manages to use four main characters to tell her story. Each of these characters has faced something difficult in the past, and one of them is trying to restart her career. Another is also working on restarting his career and discovers his main nemesis is at his new place, another faces discovering a long-lost treasure belonging to her family, and the last sees his life for what it is — a life of destruction. While on loan to an American museum, a woman recognizes not only a painting but also the people in the painting! This discovery brings the provenance of the painting into question. While this search is pending, family members discover other paintings they had no idea their beloved and well-respected family member brought home after the war. Two characters are responsible for the legal vs. ethical dilemma of attempting to find the original owner's descendants to reunite them with their paintings or offer them remuneration. As they work together to solve this problem, will they also solve the problem of their past broken hearts? This is a superb novel and I highly recommend it!

I was provided a complimentary copy of this novel by Kregal Publications and NetGalley. The opinions expressed here are entirely my own and without influence. ( )

No one writes better legal thrillers than Cara Putman! She's always able to weave her strong knowledge as a lawyer into a tale that keeps me turning the pages and this book is the latest proof! I was completely engrossed in the circumstances surrounding two paintings that may have been stolen during World War II and are now hanging in a small museum in Virginia. Were they once the property of a Jewish family who were forced to leave them behind when they fled Vienna in 1938? Do the family survivors have legal rights to these paintings?

Fans of mystery/suspense, this book's for you because the art mystery is just one of three in The Vanished! Janae Simmon's return to her hometown leads to a startling family secret and the death of Carter Montgomery's sister may not be as it seemed. I loved the work partnership between Janae and Carter, I admired that they both had strong moral convictions to guide them, and I was hoping that there might be a romance waiting to happen!

If you're looking for an intriguing suspense novel with a surprise ending and an enlightening look at the Lost Art of World War II, grab a copy of this book! I recommend it to all who enjoy romantic Christian suspense!

I received a copy of this book from the author and Kregel via NetGalley. There was no obligation for a positive review. ( )

The Vanished, by Cara Putman, is the first book in Secrets to Keep series. This story is well written and easy to imagine. It contains suspense, mystery and touches of romance. I found this book to be an very enjoyable story with well developed characters. I especially enjoyed the parts of Janae, her mother and grandmother as they cleanout the carriage house and found items Janae’s father has tucked away and not spoken about. I found the topic of art stolen during WWII to be very interesting. I enjoyed the closeness of the three women and how they worked together.

I enjoyed the mystery and suspense of the surrounding the painting at the gallery that were under question. It gives a look into what it might be like for the families that lost items as well as to how the stolen items were dealt with. This is such an enjoyable story, I look for to the rest of the series.

I voluntarily received a complimentary copy of this story, this is my honest review. ( )

I’ve never been super interested in art per se, but I do have quite the appreciation for it, even if I don’t understand that world too well. I have never given much thought to just how crazy the art world could be, or how dangerous in certain situations, like what we see in The Vanished. Who knew that the art world could be so dangerous?

There is something that drew me into this story instantly. Mystery after mystery wraps this novel in a cloak of darkness layer by layer, leaving you wondering which way is up. I love stories like this so much!! The multi-facets keep it interesting and keeps you guessing the entire time you’re reading.

This novel has some great characters, but Janae’s grandmother is wonderful and one of my favorites. I loved the wisdom and support that she bestows on Janae during one of the most difficult times of her life. How I wish we all could have someone there to support us during our dark times.

I would’ve liked to have seen the ending not be tied up so quickly. Maybe an epilogue would’ve suited better, but the author could be leaving that open-ended with this being the first novel in a new series, so I can’t fault her too much.

Overall, this is an endearing story with quite the web of mystery, characters to root for, and all for the love of art.

*I have voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book which I received from the author/publisher through JustRead Tours. All views and opinions expressed are completely honest, and my own. ( )

Highly interesting and absorbing from page one. This is my kind of book.
Janae, a lawyer, and Carter, a museum director, tackle the problem when two paintings exhibited in the Elliot Museum could belong to a Jewish WWII survivor.
This was a fascinating story told from the perspective of a museum being on the defensive in a very complex situation. There was a lot of legalese, but it was efficiently and effectively explained, thanks to the expertise of the author, who is a lawyer. You could tell that a lot of research went into this book. I was looking up the paintings in question to see if they really existed.
There was an underlying faith thread that seemed to underscore the way the main characters behaved and how they made their decisions to do the correct thing. This contrasted with the convoluted thinking by the villain.
Along with the conundrum of the paintings, there is more mystery, some family issues and a budding romance. The premise kept me turning pages and and wanting to read more stories in subsequent books in this series.
A stunning offering from an accomplished author.
*I received a complimentary copy of this book from Kregel on behalf of the author via NetGalley. I was not required to post a favorable review. All opinions are mine alone.* ( )