A Discerning Eye by Carol Orange

Release: October 13th 2020
Format: Ebook
Publisher: Cavan Bridge Press
Source: Suzyapproved Book Tours
Find it at: Goodreads, Amazon, Kindle, Audible, B&N

Art dealer Portia Malatesta is devastated when she learns that thirteen works of art were robbed from Boston’s Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum. To help uncover the whereabouts of the artwork, she sets out to construct a psychological profile of the thief. By analyzing the common theme linking the stolen pieces, she suspects the mastermind behind the heist is obsessed with the interplay of dark and light – not only in art, but also in life.

The FBI enlists Portia’s help in a high-stakes sting operation to recover the stolen works of art – a dangerous proposition that will take her to Colombia, where she’ll have to earn the trust of a notorious drug lord’s married daughter. Risking everything, Portia must navigate the underworld of Medellin – a complicated web of politics, pride and ugly crimes – where a single misstep could have deadly consequences.

Inspired by history’s largest art heist, A DISCERNING EYE is a fast-paced, skillfully plotted journey in which the fate of some of the world’s most prized masterpieces depends on one woman’s perceptive cunning.

About the Author:

Carol Orange has worked in the art world for more than twenty years. She began as a research editor on art books in London and later became an art dealer in Boston. She has an MBA from Simmons University and worked as a marketing manager at the Polaroid Corporation. Along with concert pianist Virginia Eskin, who played Chopin’s music, she read excerpts from George Sand’s novels in three salons at the French Library in Boston. Her short story “Delicious Dates” was included in Warren Adler’s 2010 short story anthology. Another story, “Close Call,” appeared in the Atherton Review volume 102. A recent article, “7 Great Heist Novels recommended by an Art Dealer” was published in Crime Reads. A Discerning Eye won the Global Book Award for mystery/suspense.

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A Discerning Eye Review:

“A Discerning Eye” is an exquisite debut mystery novel that felt like fine wine.

Firstly, I applaud the author for bringing the art dealer’s life to life. The way she describes the details of the paintings and appreciates their beauty was the standout of the novel. Even though I am not an art connoisseur, I felt like going to an Art Gallery after reading this book and appreciating the variety.

Secondly, I liked how the author included the mystery element. Portia grieves over Antonio’s death, and I love how she builds a psychological profile of the culprit just from the paintings they stole. The title is apt where Portia has a discerning eye for details and how it drives into a bigger picture.

Thirdly, I loved Carlos. He is such a complex character because of the various layers the author adds to him. While you disagree with his work, a part of him felt sorry for him and even rooted for him. Similarly, I enjoyed Portia’s relationship with Maria, Colombine, Julien, and Sean she gets entangled with the case.

Perhaps the only downside to the story was the pacing. The story is a bit slow in the beginning to take off, and I felt it got exciting only once Portia reached Medellin. Moreover, after reading the story, there were characters like Paul, who I felt had potential but did not add much value. It would be interesting to see if the author turns this into a series, as I would love to revisit some of these characters.

Overall, “A Discerning Eye” is an impressive debut, and if you are a lover of art, you will adore this novel.