A Checkered Past by Daniella Bernett (An Emmeline Kirby/Gregory Longdon Mystery)

 

• Paperback: 372 pages
  
• Publisher: Black Opal Books (29 Sept. 2018)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1626949433
• ISBN-13: 978-1626949430

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Synopsis

A looted Nazi painting…A former IRA commander…The tie that binds is murderEmmeline Kirby is back in London, determined to make a success of her new job as editorial director of investigative features at The Clarion. Three months have passed since her trip to Torquay and the devastating revelations that surfaced about her fiancé Gregory Longdon. The whole interlude has left a bitter taste in her mouth, and she is keeping him at arm’s length. But a suave and dashing jewel thief like Gregory is not easily daunted. After all, faint heart never won fair lady. It doesn’t hurt that Emmeline’s grandmother and her best friend, Maggie, are on his side. Only his shadowy past could ruin his chances.All of these relationships are threatened as Emmeline stubbornly pursues a story about looted Nazi art and an IRA collaborator. When a stolen Constable painting belonging to Maggie’s family turns up in the collection of Max Sanborn, the chairman of the company that owns The Clarion, her personal crusade brings danger close to home. To find the truth, Emmeline and Gregory must untangle a web of deception, betrayal, and dark deeds. But will they learn too late that justice can be cold comfort if you’re dead?

 

Review

A Checkered Past is the fourth book in Daniella Bernett’s thriller series featuring journalist Emmeline Kirby and her fiancé alleged jewel thief and all round mystery man Gregory Longdon.  Emmeline has started her new job of editorial director at the Clarion newspaper and is investigating art that was stolen by the Nazi’s during World War II, part inspired by her best friend, whose aunt was victim to this.  What Emmeline doesn’t realise is that the art collection of Clarion owner, the chauvinistic Max Sanborn will be brought into question as links are made between the Nazi looted art, the IRA and Max Sanborn.  With Emmeline, Gregory and MI5 on the case, there are thrills aplenty in this fast paced, gripping crime thriller.

I haven’t read all the books in this series, just this one and it’s predecessor From Beyond the Grave that I reviewed last year.  You don’t need to read them all to enjoy the story but I found that having read the previous book, it did help fill in some of the gaps.  The one thing I enjoy about reading a series is getting reacquainted with old friends and seeing where their lives have taken them. This is definitely the case with the charming, charismatic, and dashing Gregory Longdon. Obviously being an accused jewel thief should not be celebrated as it is a crime, but rather like Cary Grant in To Catch a Thief you can’t help but fall a little bit in love with him.  His air of mystery, however, is not appreciated by all, especially his fiancé Emmeline.  She is a real pocket rocket, dogged in her determination to get a story and unfortunately or Gregory to try and uncover his secrets. She is a woman who stands by her principles and always being objective about a story even when it concerns her boss and best friend.  Together they make a formidable team, both paying to their strengths and taking risks in their quest for the truth.

Daniella Bernett creates wonderful and memorable characters and a fabulous plot.  From the first page I was gripped, the combination of Nazi’s, MI5 and plundered art makes for an interesting and complex thriller that twists and turns in more ways than the river Thames.  The suspense and tension was broken up by many humorous episodes normally including Gregory Longdon and Superintendent Burnell who he does like to wind up.

I loved reading  A Checkered Past and being back in the company of Emmeline and Gregory; I love the familiarity it brought.  The combination of espionage, murder, stolen art, a touch of romance and humour make this such a compelling and exciting read; highly recommended from me!

 

I would like to thank Daniella Bernett for my copy of A Checkered Past in return for an honest review.

If you liked by review please share across social media and follow me to help me grow my blog.  You can also read my review of the previous book From Beyond the Grave which I reviewed last year.