Reviewed by Annika

TITLE: The Monuments Men Murders

SERIES: The Art of Murder #4

AUTHOR: Josh Lanyon

NARRATOR: Kale Williams

PUBLISHER: JustJoshin Publishing

RELEASE DATE: September 3, 2019

LENGTH: 5 hours, 5 minutes

BLURB:

Someone is watching. Someone is waiting.

Despite having attracted the attention of a dangerous stalker, Special Agent Jason West is doing his best to keep his mind on his job and off his own troubles.

But his latest case implicates one of the original Monuments Men in the theft and perhaps destruction of part of the world’s cultural heritage–a lost painting by Vermeer. Naval Reserve Lieutenant Commander Emerson Harley wasn’t just a World War 2 hero, he was the grandfather Jason grew up idolizing. In fact, Grandpa Harley was a large part of what inspired Jason to join the FBI’s Art Crime Team.

Learning that his legendary grandfather might have turned a blind eye to American GIs “liberating” priceless art treasures at the end of the war is more than disturbing. It’s devastating.

Jason is determined to clear his grandfather’s name, even if that means breaking a few rules and regulations himself–putting him on a collision course with romantic partner BAU Chief Sam Kennedy.

Meanwhile, someone in the shadows is biding his time…

REVIEW:

I enjoyed The Monuments Men Murders far better than the previous books in this series. It hooked me from the beginning and held me captive for the duration.

It’s always difficult to talk about the plot without revealing too much. Even more so when it’s a mystery – because what would be the fun reading one if you already have all the answers and know the twists and turns? So normally that would only have me leaving out details of the mystery itself, and me focusing on talking about our two guys. About how they are doing and how their relationship is progressing, but I can’t really do that either. So you could say that I’m a bit of a loss of what to tell you about this book.

I can say that I loved it. And that it offered a few surprises – which is always something I appreciate. I love unpredictability in stories, to be kept on my toes and The Monuments Men Murders gave me that. I also love how Sam and Jason felt real to me in a way that they haven’t before. They felt more genuine and relatable. The book opens up with them struggling just a little bit with a long-distance relationship. The love between them was strong and palpable, but you could also feel the strain and the longing it caused. There was never any danger of it causing a break between them – just a craving for being in the same space again. Something Jason’s latest case brings them. It’s also a case that hits closer to home in more ways than one.

I think this might just be Kale Williams’ best performance to date. Usually I can take or leave his books, but he really hit it over the park with this one. The pacing, accents, voices and feeling; he nailed it all. Especially in regards to Jason. There were a few scenes that were particularly emotional and revealing, and Williams captured those just right. He made you feel for and with Jason and share the moments with him. I know one thing for sure; if Williams keep delivering books like this – I’m definitely going to look for books by him in the future.

The Monuments Men Murders ended in a way that’s so close to being a cliff-hanger without actually being one. One thing is for sure, it’s going to be a loong year of waiting for book five, because I need to know what happens next – and I desperately want to know now.

RATING:

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