The Appraisal

2 stars = it was ok by GR's rating system. When I first started reading, I wondered if it had been written in a foreign language (like Hungarian where the story is set) and then translated into English because the writing was so awkward but no, it was written in English. The story is told from 2 POV:......more

Maybe a bit overly dramatically cloak and dagger in parts but gosh, it's an interesting read. Helena is an art appraiser and she's in Hungary trying to buy back a Titian. Big bucks. Porter clearly has a strong understanding of the art world, which is in fact used to launder money and where corruptio......more

"The Appraisal" is a novel that just feels stuck. Clunky. Part mystery, part thriller, part historical, part cop, part art hommage it's biggest flaw is that it tries to wear too many hats. There are segments that are lovely. There are good ideas. The art lover in me adored early descriptions of pain......more

When I purchased this book secondhand among many others at a community rummage sale, I had pretty low expectations. Also, since crime novels are not my preferred genre, I really can’t comment on the quality of the plot structure—I made no effort whatsoever in mentally trying to solve the “who dunnit......more

3.5 stars. I'm always eager to read an art heist story, and the descriptions of Budapest are very evocative. There is a lot of exposition of every character, which tends to bog down the story. Since I expected it all to factor into the conclusion, the ending felt a little anticlimactic.......more