**“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.
**
Review
"The Black Painting is a fast-paced psychological thriller with a fascinating set of characters caught in a web of family lies, deceits, secrets, mental instability and a possible murder. This powerful tale of love and betrayal centers around a sinister painting that may, or may not, be haunted. A real page-turner." -B.A. Shapiro, author of The Art Forger
"Neil Olson's The Black Painting is an expertly confected, delicious mystery/thriller, and also a deeper study of the family romance, with echoes of Cheever's 'Goodbye, My Brother.'" -Madison Smartt Bell, author of Behind the Moon
"You'll need extra coffee in the morning because The Black Painting is going to keep you up reading way too late! A well-crafted psychological thriller with an intricate plot and first-rate characters, this deluxe suspense literally bursts with surprises. "-M.J. Rose, New York Times bestselling author of The Reincarnationist
"A complex, multi-layered tale of betrayal ... will keep you reading well into the small hours."-Peter Robinson on The Icon
"A remarkable thriller with a marvelously intricate plot, real characters, credible dialog, and a literally terrific climax."-Michael Gruber on The Icon
"Richly readably...memorable...vivid."-Chicago Tribune on The Icon
"Thought-provoking ... gracefully written and meticulously plotted, with characters that engage your attention from the start and hold it throughout."-Philadelphia Inquirer on The Icon
"Lively, convincing dialogue...alive with small insights that bolster characterizations and advance the plot...The Icon delivers intricate excitement."-Cleveland Plain Dealer on The Icon
"Double and triple crosses, secrets and tense family relations propel [The Icon]...A literate thriller [that] makes an impressive mark."-Detroit Free Press
"Fast-paced ... the action is gripping, and the quest for the ever-illusive icon [ties] it all together."-Booklist on The Icon
About the Author
Neil Olson , the grandson of Greek immigrants, works in the publishing industry and lives in New York City with his wife.
Description:
**“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. **
Review
"The Black Painting is a fast-paced psychological thriller with a fascinating set of characters caught in a web of family lies, deceits, secrets, mental instability and a possible murder. This powerful tale of love and betrayal centers around a sinister painting that may, or may not, be haunted. A real page-turner." -B.A. Shapiro, author of The Art Forger
"Neil Olson's The Black Painting is an expertly confected, delicious mystery/thriller, and also a deeper study of the family romance, with echoes of Cheever's 'Goodbye, My Brother.'" -Madison Smartt Bell, author of Behind the Moon
"You'll need extra coffee in the morning because The Black Painting is going to keep you up reading way too late! A well-crafted psychological thriller with an intricate plot and first-rate characters, this deluxe suspense literally bursts with surprises. "-M.J. Rose, New York Times bestselling author of The Reincarnationist
"A complex, multi-layered tale of betrayal ... will keep you reading well into the small hours."-Peter Robinson on The Icon
"A remarkable thriller with a marvelously intricate plot, real characters, credible dialog, and a literally terrific climax."-Michael Gruber on The Icon
"Richly readably...memorable...vivid."-Chicago Tribune on The Icon
"Thought-provoking ... gracefully written and meticulously plotted, with characters that engage your attention from the start and hold it throughout."-Philadelphia Inquirer on The Icon
"Lively, convincing dialogue...alive with small insights that bolster characterizations and advance the plot...The Icon delivers intricate excitement."-Cleveland Plain Dealer on The Icon
"Double and triple crosses, secrets and tense family relations propel [The Icon]...A literate thriller [that] makes an impressive mark."-Detroit Free Press
"Fast-paced ... the action is gripping, and the quest for the ever-illusive icon [ties] it all together."-Booklist on The Icon
About the Author
Neil Olson , the grandson of Greek immigrants, works in the publishing industry and lives in New York City with his wife.