October 1, 2012
FBI agent Colin Donovan and art crimes expert Emma Sharpe are exploring their romantic relationship when a crisis comes to put them both at risk. Tatiana Pavolva, a Russian jewelry designer, comes to Heron's Cove to warn Emma about a prominent collection of Russian Art Nouveau jewelry that has fallen into the wrong hands. The collection, originally discovered by Russian billionaire Dmitri Rusakov, had disappeared long ago and has now resurfaced in the possession of Natalie Warren, the daughter of Rusakov's ex-wife. She is intent on selling it back to Rusakov for a large profit. Sharpe and Donovan start investigating and it becomes clear that Rusakov and the collection are in some way tied to arms dealers who are hunting down Donovan to settle old scores. Natalie is in league with the arms dealers, and everyone, from Donovan to Rusakov, is in danger. Neggers's newest is a scattered and confusing thriller, overstuffed with characters and in a meandering plot. Perhaps readers who met Donovan and Sharpe in previous work will connect with the characters better, but readers new to the story may not return for more from Neggers.