The Geneva Deception

By James Twining

Mafia, a secret society and the world’s greatest treasures all converge in James Twining’s all new jaw–dropping thriller featuring reformed art thief Tom Kirk

It begins with a young man hanging from the Ponte Sant' Angelo Rome, his pockets weighed down with lead whilst the current of the river below slowly tightens the noose around his neck.

Meanwhile, in Las Vegas, retired art thief Tom Kirk is asked by an old friend to investigate a case involving the theft of a long lost Caravaggio painting. When tragedy strikes Tom is left holding a blood-soaked body.

Back in Rome police Lieutenant Allegra Damico has been called to the Parthenon where a second body has been found, but this time the body is surrounded by mannequins. When a third body is found crucified upside down in the middle of the ancient forum Allegra realises there is a sinister link between the murders. Someone is staging famous Caravaggio paintings. Suspecting the detective leading the case is corrupt Allegra begins her own investigation.

Spurred on by grief and the desire to avenge the murder of his friend, Tom follows a trail to Rome where he finds Allegra piecing together a similar mystery. Before long they both find themselves submerged in a vast criminal conspiracy involving the police, politicians, the church and a secret society born of a pact between two Mafia families decades before.

• Language: English
• Publisher: HarperCollins UK
• Release date: Oct 15, 2009
• ISBN: 9780007343713

James Twining

James Twining was born in London but spent much of his childhood in Paris. After graduating from Oxford University with a first class degree in French Literature, he worked in Investment Banking for four years before leaving to set up his own company which he then sold three years later, having been named as one of the eight "Best of Young British" Entrepreneurs in The New Statesman magazine. James lives in London with his wife and two daughters. Visit www.jamestwining.com

Reviews for The Geneva Deception

[adam.currey · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

A fairly typical action thriller, competently executed. Steams along at a good pace and ties up pretty well at the end. I found the plot slightly difficult to follow at times, but this is a minor criticism.

[andrew1theqm · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Another very good book in the Tom Kirk Series. I do hope James Twining writes more in this excellent series, although this one was written in 2009.

[markpsadler · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

James Twining’s intricate plot sends Tom Kirk, on his fourth assignment since reforming from being an art thief. From the casinos of Las Vegas to those in Monte Carlo where along the way he crosses paths with his former partner in skullduggery Archie Connolly they team up with Italian detective Allegra Damico. The chase is a hunt to find the missing Caravaggio masterpiece with attempts to solve several murders along the way.
Each murder has been staged to represent a Caravaggio scene and the implications of these deaths tie in not just two, warring Mafia families of Rome, but reaches to the very heart of the Catholic Church—through the Vatican bank.
Politics, religion and mobsters all jockey for that place of power and wealth, through police corruption, deceit, lies and betrayals. Kirk is driven on by the death of his lover—an FBI agent—and is intent on seeing justice done for her sake. While death waits at the end of the journey, will it be his or will he and his assembled team of experts bring an end to the tyranny the Delian League has perpetrated on the art world in Italy for generations.
This story, loosely based on facts garnered from the tales of the tomb raiders of Europe, will leave you gasping and struggling to reach your own conclusion, as the pieces dramatically fall into place one-by-one. I promise you the surprise is well worth the wait.

[balthazar0lawson · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

There was something missing and inconclusive about this story which was annoying. The story was a bit confusing in places and the lack of clarity didn't make for an enjoyable read. The story didn't seem to hold up in places and was illogical. Some books are better read in a single sitting and I think this is one of them. I never read books in a single sitting and thus probably missed something.

[tomwheaton · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

I reas this book about 2 weeks ago on vacation but, I guess it wasn't all that good as I am finding it hard to remember the details of the book.

[infjsarah · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Didn't think much of this - confusing and boring. I learnt a little about antiquities theft but that's about all.