Woman on Fire

 By: Lisa Barr

Location: FIC BAR

Genre: Historical Fiction, Mystery

I love this line in the book...

“Shoes tell the whole story—who you are, what you can afford, if you are an impostor or the real deal.”

After talking her way into a job with Dan Mansfield, the leading investigative reporter in Chicago, rising young journalist Jules Roth is given an unusual--and very secret--assignment. Dan needs her to locate a painting stolen by the Nazis more than 75 years earlier: legendary Expressionist artist Ernst Engel's most famous work, Woman on Fire. World-renowned shoe designer Ellis Baum wants this portrait of a beautiful, mysterious woman for deeply personal reasons, and has enlisted Dan's help to find it. But Jules doesn't have much time; the famous designer is dying.

Meanwhile, in Europe, provocative and powerful Margaux de Laurent also searches for the painting. Heir to her art collector family's millions, Margaux is a cunning gallerist who gets everything she wants. The only thing standing in her way is Jules. Yet the passionate and determined Jules has unexpected resources of her own, including Adam Baum, Ellis's grandson. A recovering addict and brilliant artist in his own right, Adam was once in Margaux's clutches. He knows how ruthless she is, and he'll do anything to help Jules locate the painting before Margaux gets to it first.

"Lisa Barr’s talent as a masterful storyteller was evident throughout Woman on Fire. Her research was impeccable. She was able to cast a pointed finger at the dark period of history when evil and greed dominated the art world under the Nazis. They stole, sold and destroyed “banned” art for their own pleasure and profits. I have read other books about stolen art by the Nazis but Woman on Fire touched me deeply. Woman on Fire was an unforgettable story. It was about family, love, secrets, bravery, deception, corruption, greed, courage, dedication, heroism, murder and courage. I loved the characters, at least most of them, and I still find myself thinking about them. It was beautifully written and Lisa Barr made me feel as if I was standing in front of much of the art she depicted in the book. It was that vividly described. Woman on Fire was so intense at times I felt myself holding my breathe. I shed a tear or two but also found myself smiling during parts of the book as well. I really enjoyed Woman on Fire and highly recommend it." Marilyn from Goodreads.com