Theft
of the Master
An Al Hershey
Mystery
Edwin Alexander
Garev Publishing (Hardcover)
ISBN-10: 0-9707558-5-6 (0970755856)
ISBN-13: 978-0-9707558-5-8 (9780970755858)
Publication Date: October 2007
List Price: $22.95
Synopsis
(from
the publisher): Private investigator Al Hershey travels across the
globe in his search for a young woman's killer. Hired by the
girl's parents to look into her "accidental" death Al finds he is in
the middle of a more than a murder investigation.
Modern day Nazis and a stolen renaissance sculpture all play a part in
this intricate character driven tale of promises and deceit.
Review:
Edwin Alexander's debut novel, Theft
of the Master, is an engrossing international thriller
that effectively blends historical fact with a fictional story.
In 1493 the Church of the Holy Spirit in Tallinn, Estonia commissioned
Veit Stoss, perhaps Germany’s greatest wood-carver, to create
a sculpture. The Church wanted a wooden altarpiece of Christ teaching
his followers, the gospels. Six months later, Stoss’
completed work was consecrated before a passionate, nationalistic
congregation. Almost 500 years later, in 1992, a young woman,
identified as Meg Gilchrist, has washed up on the shore
of Half Moon Bay just south of San Francisco. Her parents, distraught
by the death of their daughter, hire private investigator Al Hershey to
look into whether it was an accident or murder. And what, if anything,
could Stoss’ masterpiece possibly have to do with this
tragedy? Hershey has only the slimiest of leads that take him on a
journey through three continents to solve the mystery of her death.
In a backstory to the main plot, the modern history of the sculpture
reveals that the Nazi's stole it in 1941 and sent it to Paraguay. The
general in charge of the transfer was ultimately captured and hanged;
the sculpture was presumed lost. Alexander bases this part of the story
on fact, as it is well documented that Hitler and his followers
confiscated large quantities of artwork and had it moved for
safekeeping; much of it even today remains undiscovered.
But the real thrill here is in following Hershey as he takes one step
forward and two steps back in his investigation that has him traveling
from Europe to South America and back to the United States. There are
almost as many twists and turns in the plot as places in which Hershey
finds himself searching for clues. The author provides vivid and
detailed descriptions for the characters and locales in the book that
add authenticity and depth to the story. And in between the
international intrigue are glimpses of personal humor. It's all very
well done.
From start to finish, Theft
of the Master is a fast-paced and credible thriller that
is not to be missed. It is highly recommended.
Special thanks to guest reviewer Betty of The Betz Review for contributing her review of Theft of the Master and to Lisa Roe, Online Publicist for providing an a copy of the book for this review.
Review Copyright © 2008 — Hidden Staircase Mystery Books — All Rights Reserved.
Mysteries in this series ...
Theft of the
Master
Garev Publishing (Hardcover), October 2007
ISBN-10: 0-9707558-5-6 (0970755856)
ISBN-13: 978-0-9707558-5-8 (9780970755858)
Omnimystery keywords for Theft of the Master
...
Location(s) referenced: Estonia, California, Paraguay.