After talking her way into a job, rising young journalist Jules Roth is given an unusual assignment: locate a painting stolen by the Nazis more than 75 years earlier. The painting? None other than legendary artist Ernst Engel’s most famous work, Woman on Fire. World-renowned shoe designer Ellis Baum wants this portrait of a mysterious woman for deeply personal reasons, but Jules doesn’t have much time; the famous designer is dying.
Meanwhile, in Europe, provocative and powerful Margaux de Laurent also searches for the painting. Heir to her art collector family’s millions, Margaux is a cunning gallerist who gets everything she wants. The only thing standing in her way is Jules. Yet Jules has resources of her own, including Adam Baum, Ellis’s grandson. A recovering addict and artist in his own right, Adam was once in Margaux’s clutches, and he’ll do anything to help Jules locate the painting before Margaux.
A thrilling tale of secrets, love and sacrifice, Woman on Fire tells the story of a remarkable woman and an exquisite work of art that burns bright, moving through hands, hearts and history.
Lisa Barr is a journalist and the award-winning author of The Unbreakables and the historical thriller Fugitive Colours, which won the IPPY gold medal for Best Literary Fiction 2014 and first prize at The Hollywood Film Festival (Opus Magnum Discovery Award). Her third novel Woman on Fire is now in development as a film starring Sharon Stone.
Woman on Fire harks back to the great blockbuster novels from the 1980s – think Jackie Collins and Shirley Conran. Protagonist Jules Roth reminded me of those early Lucky Satangelo novels – she’s smart, feisty and won’t take no for an answer with her bulldozing her way into a job interview in the first chapters. Yes, she gets the job.
But this is a thoroughly modern take on this glamourous genre. It’s set in the US, France and Germany, combining history and art with a fabulous, fast-paced tale about a stolen painting. This is a sizzling page-turner, pure entertainment, and the perfect weekend read for anyone wanting to escape the dull winter weather.
So thrilling from the beginning,it’s a,can’t put down book. Full of love,suspense,excitement,a book of real history and culture plus made up knowledge. Can’t wait to read it her other books.