The Artist’s Secret

By Alexandra Joel

What it’s about?

A missing girl, a hidden masterpiece, and the search for the truth.

1965: After escaping from anti-war turmoil and the suffocating weight of family expectations, a
beautiful young couple embrace a life free of materialism and tradition by a sapphire lake in Italy. But the past does not always let go so easily …

1987: When talented art historian Wren Summers lands her dream job at the Sydney Art Museum, it seems she can finally leave her wildly unconventional
background behind – until a treacherous act threatens everything she has strived for.

The revelation of a monstrous family secret sees Wren head to New York, compelled to find the missing girl who holds the key to this shocking mystery – and to make a fresh start in the glittering realm of international art auctions. As she struggles to fulfil her quest, can she navigate this new, high-stakes world of swirling temptation, romance and deceit, danger and betrayal, while staying true to what she knows is right?

What I think:

This is a sweeping tale full of art, love and mysterious.

The dual narrative is split between 1965 and the backdrop of the Vietnam War and the art world of the 1980s.

The first chapters set the different timelines running and it took me a few to get the different elements straight.

We met protagonist Wren at different stages of her life: as a student and as a young woman starting her career in the art world.

Beautiful and intelligent, Wren has been raised to be independent and cautious. She does not trust people easily and a lifetime of being embarrassed about some aspects of her family life means she keeps people at an arm’s length and is able to keep secrets.

The art world of the 1980s is misogynistic and cut throat. Careers can be made or destroyed by upsetting the wrong people and Wren has to learn to survive in a world where she does not fit in.

Wren has a really complex relationship with her mother, Lily. Lily is a talented artist, but she lives a life off grid in a commune caring little about money. Wren has struggled to get away, but in moments of crisis she heads home, where her mother reveals a secret that is going to change Wren’s life.

This book has a bit of everything. There are complex and fascinating characters with secrets and mysteries to uncover. There is also the world of art and auctions which is exciting and glamorous, but also academically challenging.

Wren is a really interesting character and I was engaged in her story. The different threads and timelines all come together.

This is a beautifully written and entertaining read.

About the author:

Alexandra Joel is a former editor of the
Australian edition of Harper’s Bazaar and of
Portfolio, Australia’s first magazine for
working women. She has also contributed
feature articles, interviews and reviews to
many national and metropolitan publications.

Thank you to Harper 360 for my gifted copy of The Artist’s Secret and to Random Things Tours for inviting me to be a part of this blog tour.