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. ( )

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. ( )

Any book combining centuries-old conspiracies, betrayal, secret documents, murder, and the art world is bound to elicit comparison with the dread Dan Brown and the unfortunate cover-art of the edition I read appeared to deliberately evoke that frenetically-pace ‘Da Vinci Code’ feeling.



But The Rembrandt secret is no Da Vinci Code, and artist and media personality Alex Connor is certainly no Dan Brown: for a start she can write, and write well with a wonderful flair for visual imagery. Secondly, her knowledgeable insights into the art world are factually accurate as well as fascinating.



What if Rembrandt had a son, and many of the incredibly valuable pictures credited to the master were in fact painted by his pupil, the relatively unknown son? What would that do to the prices of his work and how far would major players in the art world and beyond go to protect the value of their investment by hiding the truth? At what stage should the search for truth give way to economic necessity?



Connor presents a convincing scenario with believable reactions: The Rembrandt Secret can be enjoyed thoroughly with little or no suspension of disbelief – Dan and his disciples should take heed. ( )