I am super excited to share this book from Jeff Lanier with you. Don’t miss my review below!
FOR THE MINDS
PRAISE FOR FOR THE MINDS AND WILLS OF MEN
*2023 INDIEREADER AWARD WINNER: 1ST PLACE FICTION*
“Lanier brilliantly evokes the energy and excitement of the New York art world in this Cold War thriller with an artistic twist. Along the way, he gives us fascinating insights into Abstract Expressionism and the power of art to communicate values and ideas.”
–Ross King, Acclaimed art historian and New York Times bestselling author of The Judgment of Paris, Brunelleschi’s Dome, and Michelangelo and The Pope’s Ceiling.
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07/25/23 |
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07/25/23 |
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07/25/23 |
BONUS Stop |
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07/26/23 |
Excerpt |
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07/26/23 |
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07/26/23 |
BONUS Stop |
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07/27/23 |
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07/28/23 |
Scrapbook Page |
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07/28/23 |
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07/29/23 |
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07/30/23 |
Excerpt |
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07/31/23 |
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08/01/23 |
Book Club Kit |
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08/01/23 |
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08/02/23 |
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08/03/23 |
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08/03/23 |
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The first thing that drew me to this book is the time period. America is still freshly recovering from World War II in the early 1950s, and this book takes the reader on a wild ride with the newly emerging abstract art and artists, as well as an outrageous witch hunt for communists in our country during the cold war.
A painting is stolen, and the main character is tasked with recovering it. Will Oxley insures art, so when one is taken, he won’t rest until it is found. The author takes the reader on a journey through the world of quirky, eccentric artists who are daring to break the mold when it comes to their method of painting. I laughed at some of the scenes where alcohol-fueled artists bicker amongst themselves about who was the best. Pollock, Kline, Ellis…everyone has an opinion, and at times the arguing turns violent, especially if Pollock is involved.
But Liz, who owns the missing art piece, is a most intriguing character. She is not only beautiful but wealthy and can move with ease through the art world, taking Will Oxley along with her. But is she really a spy for the communist party, as some think? She most definitely has secrets. Yet, Will falls head-over-heels for her. The romance adds to the whole ambiance of the book.
It is the perfect mixture of quirky characters, a thriller, a mystery, history, and a romance. The author did a fabulous job of bringing me into the setting with descriptive prose, making it easy to visualize the characters, the art galleries, the bars, and even a fun train ride. With lots of side characters, the story offers a wide variety of personalities, motives, and outcomes. I recommend this book to anyone who loves that time period and art aficionados.
