April 1945. Art historian Soli Hansen and her friend Heddy arrive at an excavation site only to find Soli’s old archeology professor deeply engrossed in an extraordinary find in a marsh. The remains of a man have lain undisturbed for three centuries, but there’s more to this discovery…
As Soli tries to understand who the baroque man was and discovers what he carried in a sealed wooden tube, problems arise. A leak reveals the finds to the notorious Lieutenant Colonel Heinz Walter, and soon, both Nazi elite and the Gestapo are after the treasure.
When Heddy and the professor disappear along with the artwork, Soli and her resistance group must find them before it’s too late.
1641. In Amsterdam, French musketeer Claude Beaulieu has had his portrait done by his close friend and artist Rembrandt van Rijn. When a band of thieves steal the precious painting, Claude and his wife Annarosa Ruber pick up their swords and a few belongings and go after the culprits.
Set in Norway during the tumultuous last days of the second world war, as well as the peak of the glorious baroque art period, these two stories are a must for readers who love historical fiction with adventure, suspense, and true love that conquers all.
Review
Brushstrokes from the Past (Book #4 – Soli Hansen Mysteries) by Heidi Eljarbo is a beautifully depicted novel set, for the most part, in occupied Norway during World War Two.
Soli Hansen, the heroine in this tale, is an unassuming art historian. She owns a respected shop selling beautiful paintings and sketches as well as offering a framing service. But there is more to Soli than meets the eye for she is also part of the Norwegian Resistance and she has made it her mission to save as many paintings stolen from the once prominent Jewish family, the Ruber's, from falling into the hands of the enemy. She is determined to save the paintings and hand them back to the Rubers when they return from wherever the Nazis have sent them (which is so, so sad because Soli has no idea where they are or what has happened to them). Lieutenant Colonel Heinz Walter is also seeking the paintings, not because he wants to aid his Führer dreams of housing all of Europe's greatest treasures and putting them on display in Australia, but because he wants the paintings for himself.
Once again the author has presented her readers with a novel that, once started, was impossible to put down - I read this book in one sitting. The characters are richly drawn and came across as very believable. There were times in this novel where some of the characters take huge risks (especially Heddy) but there are also tender moments of romance and friendship.
This story is set during the final year of the war and follows through to Norway's liberation. There are snippets from the 17th Century as well which tells the backstop behind the painting which I felt really gave this who series an added depth.
I have thoroughly enjoyed this series and it is one that I can see myself reading over and over again.
Heidi Eljarbo
Heidi grew up in a home filled with books and artwork and she never truly imagined she would do anything other than write and paint. She studied art, languages, and history, all of which have come in handy when working as an author, magazine journalist, and painter.
After living in Canada, six US states, Japan, Switzerland, and Austria, Heidi now calls Norway home. She and her husband have a total of nine children, thirteen grandchildren—so far—in addition to a bouncy Wheaten Terrier.
Their favorite retreat is a mountain cabin, where they hike in the summertime and ski the vast, white terrain during winter.
Heidi’s favorites are family, God’s beautiful nature, and the word whimsical.
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Thank you for hosting Heidi Eljarbo today with such a wonderful review. Much appreciated. xx
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