Rembrandt's Ghost

I love a good suspense novel, with the "romance" and graphic violence. I was very pleasantly surprised when I stumbled upon this book. In addition to an exciting read, I loved the enter weavings of facts within the fiction. I enjoyed the book and finished more informed about history than with a usual suspense/adventure. I immediately purchased 3 more of the series and have enjoyed them equally. I have not read the introduction title, Michaelango's Notebook, based on negative reviews on this website, but having finished the last four, I may go back and give it a try. The ones I have read have certainly been far and away better than the reviews posted for the series beginning.

I enjoyed this novel, but found the action a bit slower than Christopher's other works. If I hadn't read Michelangelo's Notebook, I do not know if the character development would have been compelling enough for me to rate this book 4 out of 5 stars. The author does a great job describing settings and historical information, but the secondary characters are not very well fleshed out. I enjoyed it, and would recommend it, but you may want to read other novels by the author first with the character Finn Ryan so you are invested in her welfare when reading this work.

I thoroughly enjoyed the fast moving story. Finn, an art historian and Billy, an English Lord co-inherit an alledged painting by Rembrandt, a 17th century house and an old cargo ship. In order to claim their inheritance they must, within 15 days, inspect both the house in Amsterdam and then board their new/old ship which is currently bound for Singapore. In possession of documents which may lead to a fabulous treasure they dodge bombs, bullets and killers.

Paul Christopher crafts a story that includes lots of thought and clever finagling to get all the pieces to line up, which will keep you intrigued to the very end. You will like this book if you like adventure stories that span the entire world in hopes of finding a hidden treasures-provided you are clever enough and lucky enough. The adventure for its two main characters--Finn Ryan, a young archeologist, and Billy Pilgrim, a bonafide prince--leads them to unpredictable places and into unusual predicaments as they must piece together the puzzle that an uncle, who they did not know, leaves as their co-inheritance. Left with what seemingly appears to be three unrelated items--a Rembrandt forgery, a house in Amsterdam and a cargo ship off Borneo--their search for understanding begins in curiosity but heightens to one of necessity in order to stay alive. As the reader, you are pulled along with them as they try to solve the mystery of how does each of these items relate to one another and to them. You are compelled to keep reading just as they are compelled to stay ahead of their unknown pursuers who obviously know more than they do. There must be a hidden treasure but the clues are obscure, scattered and moldering in years of dust. Is there a fortune to be found or is it just the lure of possible riches? Readers who like the ocean and sailing will enjoy the descriptions of their high sea adventure. The story, like the ocean, rises and falls in tempo and suspense. It is only through the finesse and wits of both characters that they are able to stay ahead of their pursuers and figure out what their uncle wants them to discover. In the end the author still leaves you a bit curious as to what you would do, had you been Finn or Billy. Armchair Interviews says: Adventure, mystery and intrique all piled into one book.

Enjoyed the story! Finn Ryan and Lord Billy Pilgrim, are the inheritors of several items: a house, a painting and a cargo ship. The mystery surrounding the disapperance of their benefactor leads them on a chase from England to Holland. And onto various pirate infested waters of the South Pacific. They are trying to figure out what happenned to their benefactor, is he still alive? Who is chasing them? What about the mysterious island and the lost treasure it supposedly contains? This book is an adventure somewhat like a Cussler/ Dan Brown with a bit of Indiana Jones and Treasure Island thrown in! If you like those authors give this one a try. Lots of action and adventure.