Chasing Mona Lisa ~ Fiction Book Review

     Chasing Mona Lisa, by Tricia Goyer and Mike Yorkey, is set in 1944 Europe.  Two Swiss agents are fighting to save the world’s most famous painting from the hands of the Nazis.

     If this sounds like an adventure book, that would be “right on.” The very first chapter starts off with high drama and continues every other page almost the whole way through. Lots of heart palpitations for the reader (!!!), but this isa book that is hard to set aside, as one must know what is going to happen next—and hope for resolution!

      The setting is France, mainly Paris, at the very close of World War II, a highly dramatic time for the people of France who have been held hostage by Germans for four years. Emotions are riding high, especially at The Louvre, home of many, many very famous and valuable paintings, and one, especially, the Mona Lisa (La Joconde). During the War, many of the paintings have been “stolen” by high ranking Germans (Hermann Goring) who had an insatiable appetite for such works of art, understanding their beauty and, obviously, their great value. Other works have been hidden away in various parts of the country.

      Numerous spies, differing political views, atrocities known to all wars, amazing rides across the French countryside, and accounts of personal dealings with many recognizable historical names from that era, are only some of the events recounted in this story.

     From a historical point-of-view, Chasing Mona Lisa is a great way to learn what was going on with the European side of World War II; the background story of Mona Lisa’s history is obviously true and told in great detail, so it is an eye-opener in many ways. It seems to be a realistic view of what was going on in Paris during a two-week period in August 1944 and a very accurate accounting of what was going on for people caught up in a war which they could only barely survive using their own skills and the depths of their own spirit.

     There are many surprises in this novel, which continue to the very end. There is never a dull moment and even timid readers of violent events will be assured a “good read.” It is a worthwhile read and a learning experience, as well as entertainment!

     At the time of this writing, Chasing Mona Lisa is on sale at ChristianBook.com for 40% off the regular price!  Wow - even less expensive than the eBook version. 

     Chasing Mona Lisa is available January 2011 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.

Disclosure:  I received one free copy of Chasing Mona Lisa in exchange for an honest review of this book.  No other compensation was provided.

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