So suspend your disbelief, enjoy the ride. It's an easy read, it's fast paced and there's even a bit of Tower of London history thrown in to keep you interested. It goes without saying that Jeffrey Archer is a master storyteller, who fills his novels with fascinating characters, and, (in this case), insights into what goes on behind the scenes at events such as the State Opening of Parliament. A complex but clever storyline involving the world’s major heist, some interesting (though not particularly likeable characters) and plenty of twists and turns. Another winner for Archer. My issue was the writing style and tone; it was overly wordy, full of filler and superfluous characters, and much longer than it had to be. Before William takes up his duties with the newly formed group, he and his wife Beth have embarked on a luxury cruise to New York. The cruise comes courtesy of Miles Faulkner, or to be more precise, his ex-wife. After escaping from prison Faulkner had staged his own death in a bid to shake the tail that William and his colleagues had placed on him. It was a ploy that’s doomed to failure.

All the while, Miles Faulkner has been plotting a second major heist, passing counterfeit artwork off and keeping the valuables for himself. While he has the cunning and wherewithal to do so, there are others who want nothing but to blame him for it. In a secondary plot that spans both sides of the Atlantic, Faulkner works to dupe many with a donation to a prestigious art gallery, hoping to leave them with egg on their face. Little does he know that there are keen observers who want nothing more than to protect the art world from his heinous ways and will stop at little to ensure all is righted, if time permits. A great addition to this Archer series, where action is plentiful and the storylines never fail to impress. I would not have laughed aloud if I didn't suspect the author wrote this part with sincere intentions. Which disturbs me greatly. The thing with Archer novels are that the plots are always so well planned out. This one is no different and makes a very entertaining read. I liked the history of the Tower of London through one character in this book. A very interesting spy crime story. I read and didn't believe what I was reading. I liked the intrigue I found in this book. Fast-paced action with amazing twists and turns did not allow you to put this story aside even for a minute. The characters in this book are very diverse. I wonder if a similar story could happen today. There is risk, there is fun. He who doesn't take risks doesn't drink champagne.As William becomes increasingly involved in researching the numerous murders Faulkner is orchestrating, his friendship with Faulkner’s wife, Christina, provides a vital breakthrough. Christina is prepared to return a precious Rembrandt that was stolen from Faulkner’s personal collection in exchange for police assistance. Can Christina be relied upon, or will Faulkner escape justice and resume his evil plans? In addition, what transpires when William falls madly in love with Beth, an employee at the museum from where the Rembrandt was stolen, whose family secrets might put a horrible gulf between her and William?

This is where it lost me - William is asked to investigate. Of course, all roads (or seas) lead to this being a murder and ultimately to his nemesis Faulkner and ever-present extremely annoying Booth-Watson. It will take skill and tenacity for William to solve the crime, and along the way he will encounter many who will change his life, from Miles Faulkner, a crooked art collector, and his influential lawyer – who bends the law to the point of breaking – to research assistant Beth Rainsford, a woman with secrets who he falls hopelessly in love with . . . This was an interesting story and while the telling is a bit choppy as we jump from case to case, I think readers will enjoy this layered novel and its many different locales. Look for this book in stores October 19th in Canada! There are two distinct stories here. One involves the discovery that a famous painting hanging in the Fitz is a forgery – while the original is hanging in Miles' New York apartment. The first part of the book involves the attempt to recover the original for the Museum.

Detective William Warwick #5

William put the book he was reading on the table in front of him and took a closer look at the earnest young American who seemed desperate not to be thought of as a child, although he hadn't started shaving. The word 'preppy' immediately came to mind.