The Black Painting
Neil Olson
(Author)Description
"A riveting psychological thriller, a serious dissection of a dysfunctional family and an exploration of the power of art to change lives." --Associated Press
"A fast-paced psychological thriller with a fascinating set of characters. ... A real page-turner." -B.A. Shapiro, author of
The Art ForgerAn atmospheric literary mystery about an infamous painting rumored to be cursed--and the family torn apart by its disappearance.
There are four cousins in the Morse family: perfect Kenny, the preppy West Coast lawyer; James, the shy but brilliant medical student; his seductive, hard-drinking sister Audrey; and Teresa, youngest and most fragile, haunted by the fear that she has inherited the madness that possessed her father.
Their grandfather summons them to his mansion at Owl's Point. None of them have visited the family estate since they were children, when a prized painting disappeared: a self-portrait by Goya, rumored to cause madness or death upon viewing. Afterward, the family split apart amid the accusations and suspicions that followed its theft.
Any hope that their grandfather planned to make amends evaporates when Teresa arrives to find the old man dead, his horrified gaze pinned upon the spot where the painting once hung. As the family gathers and suspicions mount, Teresa hopes to find the reasons behind her grandfather's death and the painting's loss. But to do so she must uncover ugly family secrets and confront those who would keep them hidden.
A masterful, deftly plotted novel, The Black Painting explores the profound power that art, and the past, hold over our lives.
Product Details
| Publisher | Hanover Square Press |
| Publish Date | January 09, 2018 |
| Pages | 320 |
| Language | English |
| Type |  Hardback |
| EAN/UPC | 9781335953810 |
| Dimensions | 8.5 X 5.7 X 1.1 inches | 0.9 pounds |
About the Author
Reviews
"The volatility of memory, the treacherous crucible of family lore, and the myths and mysteries of Goya's Black Paintings all come hypnotically together in Neil Olson's outstanding novel. With taut, confident prose and breathless plotting, Olson leads us through a dark and dazzling kaleidoscope of a story. Here is a writer to watch." --Paula McLain, author of The Paris Wife and Circling the Sun
"Family money and long-held family secrets are at the heart of this gripping whodunit... a fast-paced, fun read that's hard to put down." --Mystery Scene
"Neil Olson's The Black Painting is an expertly confected, delicious mystery/thriller, and also a deeper study of the family romance, with echoes of Cheever's 'Goodbye, My Brother.'" --Madison Smartt Bell, author of Behind the Moon
"You'll need extra coffee in the morning because The Black Painting is going to keep you up reading way too late! A well-crafted psychological thriller with an intricate plot and first-rate characters, this deluxe suspense literally bursts with surprises. " --M.J. Rose, New York Times bestselling author of The Reincarnationist
"With its page-turning plot and moody atmospherics, Olson's tale proves seductive. ... Get ready for a thrilling ride through the worlds of the unhappy rich, whose acquisitions can prove very dangerous indeed." --Toronto Star
"[A] taut psychological thriller... This dark, supernaturally tinged tale ends on an unexpectedly hopeful note." --Publishers Weekly
"Olson explores the dynamics of a dysfunctional family and their relationship with Goya's terrifying self-portrait... a promising psychological thriller." --Kirkus Reviews
"This engrossing, dark psychological suspense tale will draw followers of art-based crime fiction." --Booklist
"This is an incredible plot with unknown twists that all readers who love mystery and suspense will thrive on." --Suspense Magazine
"The Black Painting explores the profound power of art and the past." --Eastbay Express
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