Book Review The Muse by Jessie Burton & Inferno by Dan Brown

My latest Book Reviews 
I will never giveaway any spoilers in my reviews, just my honest opinion on how I found the book. So you can read my review with the confidence if will not ruin the story for you.
The Muse: A Novel by Jessie Burton
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
The book follows the discovery of a Spanish painting in London during the early 1960’s, who painted it and how did it came into the hands of Laurie following the death of his mother. The story at this point shifts to 1930’s Spain during the build up to the Spanish civil war, and introduces us to the entwined lives of an Austrian art dealer his English family, and a young Spanish brother and sister. 

I knew nothing of the Spanish Civil war so I found the story much more interesting whenever it switched to this period. If it were not for this I’m not sure I would of stuck with the book. Possibly because this is quite recent history and I enjoy a story set during an older period of history. There were quite a few twists to the outcome of the story that I had not expected, but was not entirely surprised by. I guess the story about a painting and how it came about is not new, in fact, throughout reading this book all I could think about was it’s no Tracy Chevalier novel. If you have not read any of her books then you will probably enjoy this book - but if you love The Lady and the Unicorn or Girl with a Pearl Earring you will more than likely be disappointed.

Inferno by Dan Brown
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Synopsis: Eminent Harvard symbologist Robert Langdon awakes in a hospital bed with no recollection of where he is or how he got there. Nor can he explain the origin of the macabre object that is found hidden in his belongings.
A threat to his life will propel him and a young doctor, Sienna Brooks, into a breakneck chase across the city of Florence. Only Langdon’s knowledge of hidden passageways and ancient secrets that lie behind its historic facade can save them from the clutches of their unknown pursuers.
With only a few lines from Dante’s dark and epic masterpiece, The Inferno, to guide them, they must decipher a sequence of codes buried deep within some of the most celebrated artefacts of the Renaissance – sculptures, paintings, buildings – to find the answers to a puzzle which may, or may not, help them save the world from a terrifying threat…My review:Another enjoyable Robert Langdon adventure, although you do not need to have read any previous books to follow this story. Dan Brown has such a great style of writing, he pulls you into a problem solving thriller that’s immerses you into some of the worlds most beautiful and historical cities. I love a story with unpredictable twists, there were plenty in Inferno and all were a surprise to me. Looking forward to the next book.
Other books read in January
The Passenger's Palace - 100 Years of the Cunard Building Liverpool
Tresco Abbey Garden
Greyfriars House and Garden: National Trust Guidebook

What's next on my bookshelf

I have reserved a couple of books at local library 61 Hours by Lee Child, the 16th book in the Jack Reacher series. There are 5 other people in front of me for this book even though the library have multiple copies I expect to be in for a bit of a wait. Also reserved is The Poisonous Seed by Linda Stratmann, a book recommend by Hayley one of my blog readers. I am first on the list for this book, just waiting for it to be transferred to my local branch.

 ~ Leave me a comment if you have any book recommendations ~

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