Alexandra Connor

A great read. A story based on the facts of a relationship between Rembrandt and a housemaid whom he had a relationship with then rejected and had her imprisioned. The threads of the novel weave around this centuries old truth with a rumour that there are letters written by her that detail her treatment but also that she had a child to Rembrandt who subsequently became one of his apprentices and painted, without recognition many of the masters paintings. Murder and suspense follow the tale across the world in modern times.… (more)

I was quite disappointed with this book. In concept, it's very much my kind of story. In execution, it falls somewhat flat. Perhaps I'm just used to a faster-paced book, but it felt much too slow. We spend much to much time reading about people speculating about things, how they feel about them, and wondering what others know, and much too little time reading about things actually happening. This is a 400-page book, delivered in 560 pages. When important plot points do happen - finally - they are delivered with a distinct lack of impact - they just don't seem to "land."

In short, I enjoyed it, but only just.… (more)

The problem with this book is that its sole premise is complete nonsense. The idea that the current royal family gave a flying fuck that one of their ancestors had an illegitimate baby three hundred years ago is nonsense. Illegitimacy trumps inheritance, especially back then. Also, to be frank, most of the historic kings at least one bastard floating around causing absolutely no grief to anyone (except possibly the poor child).

Stupid book. Stupid story. Irritated that my rules of reading demand I finish books that only steal brain cells.

(Also Norway is in the EEA so no marriage would be required to allow whatshername to remain in the UK. Google would have sorted that plot error out in oooooh about 0.0000015 seconds with 345 000 000 hits.… (more)