The Crown Conspiracy by Connie Mann

The Crown Conspiracy
by Connie Mann

ISBN-13: 9781496487391
Paperback: 288 pages
Publisher: Tyndale House Publishers
Released: June 4, 2024

Source: ebook review copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

Book Description, Modified from Goodreads:
The media spotlight is the last thing art thief and forger Sophie Williams needs. But when one of three long-missing royal portraits turns up in Germany at her best friend’s art gallery, the spotlight is exactly what she gets. Since the tragic deaths of Princess Johanna of Neuhansberg and her two children forty years ago, the whereabouts of these portraits have been unknown . . . and the timing of their reappearance―just days before a new prince’s coronation―reignites questions surrounding the infamous accident.

Then Sophie’s best friend vanishes, and a rumor about hidden treasure connected to the paintings surfaces, seemingly confirmed by a cryptic message on the back of the first canvas. Convinced that finding the other two portraits will lead to her friend, Sophie begins a twisty investigation that pits her against other ruthless treasure hunters, a handsome man who seems to dog her trail at every turn, and a mysterious group that offers help, wearing an emblem identical to one in the painting.

From Germany’s grand castles and soaring cathedrals through the Alps to the canals of Venice, Sophie must choose her allies carefully if she hopes to find the portraits, rescue her best friend―and perhaps save a throne―before time runs out.


My Review:
The Crown Conspiracy is a Christian suspense. Sophie is talented at mimicking other people's paintings down to the last detail. She uses this skill and her talent for disguises to return stolen artwork to its rightful owners. To pay the bills, she works for her best friend at an art gallery. When the friend receives a long-lost painting as an inheritance from her mother, the media finds out. A lot of people want that painting, especially as there's a clue on each painting that leads to treasure. When her best friend is kidnapped, Sophie's determined to follow the clues, retrieve the other missing paintings, and save her friend.

She's used to working alone, but a small, diverse group of talented women show up to help. Turns out her friend is a part of a group of women who work to protect each other and vulnerable women and children. And she needs help as at least one man is willing to kill to get the paintings. Another man steals from her even as he occasionally helps protect her from the other painting seekers. Though they kiss intensely at times, I wouldn't really call him a love interest as he's intent on his own interests.

It was really fun to have women saving the day and outwitting the bad guys for once. They used their intelligence, talents, and determination to overcome all obstacles. The characters were engaging and reacted to events in realistic ways. There was no sex or bad language. Overall, I'd recommend this enjoyable suspense and look forward to the next in this series.


If you've read this book, what do you think about it? I'd be honored if you wrote your own opinion of the book in the comments.