False Impression

Murder and a high-stakes art-world theft are cleverly blended with the events of Sept. 11, 2001, in the latest thriller from bestselling author Jeffrey Archer. Through no fault of her own, Anna Petrescu was fired from Sotheby's after the loss of a major art sale. She thought she bounced back nicely after being hired as a dealer for wealthy New York banker and art collector Bryce Fenston. But then Anna discovers her new boss is not only corrupt, but he may also be involved in arranging the deaths of bankrupted clients who own prized masterpieces, paintings that eventually fall into his hands. In a meeting in Fenston's New York offices one September morning, Petrescu is fired again - this time for failing to go along with the banker's evil schemes and threatening to expose him. But suddenly, a hijacked airliner smashes into the North Tower of the World Trade Center several floors above, and 9-11 begins to unfold. Like so many other office workers that day in Manhattan, Petrescu staggers down the stairwells, emerging onto the street covered in dust and debris. After fleeing the horrible scene, Anna realizes that she may be presumed dead and so is free to continue an investigation into Fenston's plans to foreclose on the estate of a British aristrocrat, including a Van Gogh that may be worth upwards of $100 million. Fenston also survived the terrorist attack and suspects Anna did, too. She is pursued from New York to London to Bucharest to Tokyo and back again with a hired assassin and an FBI agent on her tail. The agent isn't sure if she's guilty or innocent but begins to lean towards the latter as part of the romantic interest. All paths lead back to the aristocrat's English estate where a violent showdown over ownership of the painting seems sure to occur. The good guys have never been more attractive, nor the villains so loathsome as Archer takes readers on a global thrill-ride so exciting it manages to turn even the dramatic events of 9-11 into mere background.

September 10, 2001. Victoria Wentworth, an heiress whose family fortune has declined tremendously due to financial mismanagement, is murdered in her home after deciding to sell a Van Gogh painting to pay off her debts. Dr. Anna Petrescu, an employee of her creditor, recommended this course of action in a report given to both Wentworth and Petrescu's employer, Bryce Fenston. But Fentson wanted the painting, not the money, and will stop at nothing to get it. Fenston fires Petrescu, and as she is cleaning out her desk in the North Tower of the World Trade Center, disaster strikes. Assumed dead, Petrescu determines to prevent Fenston from getting the Van Gogh, if it's the last thing she does. And with an assasin on her tail, it just might be ... Jeffrey Archer has written a suspensful masterpiece in False Impression. Even though you know almost from the beginning who killed Wentworth, and why, it doesn't matter - Archer creates plenty of edge-of-your-seat action. And this is a thriller that doesn't skimp on characterization, even though the "single, intelligent woman meets single, intelligent cop/FBI agent" theme has been done before. Anna Petrescu is a very intelligent protagonist, who recognizes exactly what kind of danger she is in at every turn. You never know who is going to get to her first - the FBI agent who isn't quite sure if she's an innocent woman trying to do the right thing or an accessory to murder, or the hired assasin who has killed so many times already. Archer sends her running across the globe, but she always knows exactly where she's going, and why she's going there - and how to throw her pursuers off her trail. I've never studied art history - I wouldn't know a Monet from a Manet. But I enjoyed this book, and even learned a little bit in the process. The only problem I had with the book was that one plot point (why Petrescu's friend Tina worked for Fenston) wasn't mentioned very often in the book, even though it got a big mention on the back cover. But that didn't mar my enjoyment of this book. Make sure you have some time to read, though, beause you won't want to put this one down until you finish it. I haven't read any Jeffrey Archer before, but I think I may have to start.

Another great thriller from Jeffrey Archer. His first novel in seven yeras, and his first since his release from prison and the diaries of his time there. False Imnpression is an amazing chase around the world, told with his usual style and speed. The book starts with a breathtaking account of an escape from the World Trade Centre on 9/11. The story follows the heroine (Anna Petrescu who is missing presumed dead) race across the globe, after she uncovers why Lady Victoria Wentworth was brutally murdered. All the time she must stay one step ahead of various villains (a New York banker and his Lawyer / a hit woman and even the FBI). A priceless Van Gogh is the prize for all the characters, including Nakamura San. The book is also well researched, and peppered with facts about the art world, the world trade centre, and Van Gogh's paintings. Anyone who liked the mix of the art world, espionage and intrigue in The Da Vinci code, will be equally happy with this novel. We recommend *****.

I started reading this book at 11am on Sunday morning, and was genuinely frustrated when I had to put it down to have lunch. I finished the book by the evening. It is fast paced and highly enjoyable. The story is told with real skill and detail (esp the escape form the world trade centre). The characters pull you in to the story, and it is nearly impossible to put it down. I think it will make an amazing movie. After being in prison for so long, I was worried he might have lost his touch. No chance, Archer is back with an incredible read. Well done.

i'm a huge fan of archer. in fact, i consider him my first love in thriller novels..since the 3 prison diaries i've been waiting for his next book and when it came, i was so excited that i bought the hardcover because i just don't want to wait.. n i must say, archer still has his golden touch in writing...this book certainly does not dissapoint.. i just can't put this book down and i did not want to be away from this book for more than 5 minutes... to put it simply, this book is flawless and archer is a master story teller ... this book takes you to different countries and it really felt like you were apart of the adventure.. amazing amazing AMAZING!!! to me, archer is still the best!!