description: When an old woman storms into the Rijks Museum demanding the return of her painting, archivist Ruth Braams cannot quell her curiosity. Ruth delves into the history of the piece of looted Nazi art and discovers an enigmatic picture with a disturbing wartime provenance. It also appears that the elderly Lydia is not the only claimant and, against strict bureau regulations, Ruth endeavours to help strengthen her case. Days later, Ruth begins to receive sinister anonymous threats, warning her to stay away from Lydia and the painting. As the threats escalate, Ruth realises that there must be far more to the paintings popularity, and she enters into a series of increasingly lethal adventures as she investigates the paintings secret symbolism A brilliant evocation of Amsterdam that combines fascinating historical detail with a cast of sharply realised charactersa fast-paced, finely crafted, riveting mystery.The wit of Janet Evanovich and the ingenuity of Robert Wilson. Should appeal to fans of literary thrillers (Robert Wilson, Iain Pears), and also Tracey Chevaliers Girl with a Pearl Earring and Salley Vickers Miss Garnetts Angel. Adrians debut novel, Vienna Blood, won the CWA Silver Dagger for Fiction.
language: English
title: The Apothecary's House
titlecomplete: The Apothecary's House
genres: Fiction, Historical, Mystery, Thriller, Jewish, Art, Historical Fiction, Amazon
ratings_count: 584
places: Amsterdam
awards: awardedAt: 1104566400000
name: CWA Ian Fleming Steel Dagger
category: Best Thriller of the Year
publisher: Pan MacMillan