"The Black Madonna" by Davis Bunn - Glass Road Tour & Review

The Black Madonna
Author: Davis Bunn
Touchstone, September 2010
Trade Paperback, 336 pages
ISBN-10: 1416556338
ISBN-13: 9781416556336

About the Book: (from publisher's website)

Antiques expert Storm Syrrell heads to Europe to investigate the clandestine trade in religious artifacts. She dismisses superstitious tales of miraculous healings and divine omens. Yet when an obsessive Russian oligarch calls—just as her friend Harry Bennett vanishes—all assumptions must be cast aside. Storm seeks answers in a medieval monastery. There, the scarred visage of an icon provokes ever more startling questions. Is she prepared to confront both earthly and spiritual powers? Storm remains haunted by lessons in love and betrayal that lie just outside her grasp. But hesitation now holds mortal consequences.

Read Chapter One Now

My Thoughts:

If you haven't read anything by Davis Bunn (aka T. Davis Bunn), now is the time to do so! Bunn has an amazing style that draws the reader in and keeps him/her in suspense until the very last page.

The Black Madonna starts in the Judean Desert and soon becomes international, centering around an antiques dealer, an archeologist, a businessman, and a Homeland Security agent. What do they all have in common? Byzantine artifacts.

This novel had me captivated and on the edge of my seat more times than I care to count. There were times I couldn't read fast enough to find out what was going to happen next. With all the twists and turns, I never figured out the ending. After reading the last page, I had to go back to re-read it to make sure I read it correctly.

The storyline was exciting and the characters, especially the main, all had their flaws, making them both realistic and interesting. My favorites were Storm who deals in antiques (the main character) and Raphael, her "boss". They both carry a past that leaves them guarded yet assertive. Both are very strong characters, and both know exactly what they are after. These two definitely made the storyline work!

I had no idea this was the second book in the series, as it read like a stand-alone. The first book, "Gold of Kings" has made my must read list. I am hoping there will be more to the series as I really want this book to continue!

About the Author

Davis Bunn is the author of numerous national bestsellers in genres spanning historical sagas, contemporary thrillers, and inspirational gift books. He has received widespread critical acclaim, including three Christy Awards for excellence in fiction, and his books have sold more than six million copies in sixteen languages. He and his wife, Isabella, are affiliated with Oxford University, where Davis serves as writer in residence at Regent's Park College. He lectures internationally on the craft of writing.

If you would like to learn more about Davis Bunn or his books, please visit his website at: http://www.davisbunn.com

Photo by: I. D. Bunn

Book was supplied through Glass Road PR for me to honestly review.