The Black Painting, Neil Olson
The Black Painting, Neil Olson
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The Black Painting

Author: Neil Olson

Narrator: Emily Woo Zeller

Unabridged: 8 hr 47 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Published: 01/09/2018


Synopsis

“A riveting psychological thriller, a serious dissection of a dysfunctional family and an exploration of the power of art to change lives.” —Associated Press

“A fast-paced psychological thriller with a fascinating set of characters. ... A real page-turner.” -B.A. Shapiro, author of The Art Forger

An atmospheric literary mystery about an infamous painting rumored to be cursed—and the family torn apart by its disappearance.

There are four cousins in the Morse family: perfect Kenny, the preppy West Coast lawyer; James, the shy but brilliant medical student; his seductive, hard-drinking sister Audrey; and Teresa, youngest and most fragile, haunted by the fear that she has inherited the madness that possessed her father.

Their grandfather summons them to his mansion at Owl’s Point. None of them have visited the family estate since they were children, when a prized painting disappeared: a self-portrait by Goya, rumored to cause madness or death upon viewing. Afterward, the family split apart amid the accusations and suspicions that followed its theft.

Any hope that their grandfather planned to make amends evaporates when Teresa arrives to find the old man dead, his horrified gaze pinned upon the spot where the painting once hung. As the family gathers and suspicions mount, Teresa hopes to find the reasons behind her grandfather’s death and the painting’s loss. But to do so she must uncover ugly family secrets and confront those who would keep them hidden.

A masterful, deftly plotted novel, The Black Painting explores the profound power that art, and the past, hold over our lives.

About Neil Olson

Neil Olson is the author of The Icon, a novel of art theft and family intrigue, and the play Dealers. He lives in New York City with his wife and works in the publishing industry.


Reviews

Goodreads review by James on December 10, 2017

Why This Book I stumbled on this via NetGalley several months ago. The cover was creepy and it revolved around a family mystery involving a missing painting and the death of a grandfather. I had to add it to my TBR, then they awarded it to me. I am trying to clear off all NetGalley books......more

Goodreads review by Patricia on August 07, 2017

There is no doubt that Goya's paintings are disturbing. And this mysterious and suspenseful was just as disturbing. 15 years after the theft of the supposedly cursed painting, the four cousins are summoned back to the house of their grandfather. When Teresa and Audrey arrive they find the man dead. H......more

Goodreads review by Janet on June 09, 2017

Four cousins summoned back by their grandfather... The death of a family patriarch... An old, mysterious house... A painting by Goya that has a demon lurking inside it... And a family with dark secrets... This is what you can expect when you read The Black Painting by Neil Olson, scheduled to be released......more