Customer Reviews

Canvas Sunsets Never Fade

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(14)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I was asked by a colleague of mine, who briefly met the author some months ago, to read the book. While I hesitated to pour time into a book that is not particularly well-known (yet?), I accepted with an open mind. As a diehard fan of espionage and murder mysteries, I have to admit this story was quite interesting, particularly because the key events and revelations were unpredictable (unlike many books I have read recently). This book is a well crafted blend of genres, not at all a traditional espionage novel. It's main character is a flawed but likable man whose former FBI work was abruptly cut short, leaving a perplexing, unfinished mission in which his love (and lead suspect) has vanished. By page 100, this man, Richard Nash, becomes a truly captivating character, and his imperfect, sometimes utterly naive outlook offers a pleasant sense of realism for a genre often dominated by superhuman characters. While the other characters help build the conflicts and set the course for the hugely significant "discovery" half-way through the book, I was embedded in Nash's soul, particularly by the later half of the book. That's when I realized that this novel has done its job.

The story is quite fascinating and believable, given the mess in the Middle East and the ongoing controversy regarding weapons of mass destruction on all sides. What kept me hooked as I read the book was Richard Lorier (or Nash, his undercover name). He was a character I could easily connect with, and I enjoyed his view of things -- although distorted and naive at times. Towards the middle of the book, a few scenes got tedious, even exhausting, but then it picked up a good pace again. I especially liked the scene in the plane and Nash's pursuits in Acapulco. Having been there--to the same resort--once with my wife years ago, it was nostalgic. I was equally absorbed by the excellent cloak-and-dagger action in Senegal and Nice. The dialogue was also well done for Nash, Sara and Lina, less so for the other characters. Overall it was an easy read and a very good plot. I also liked the political element at the end...

The plot builds up slowly, in part through a series of flashbacks -- cleverly done, I might add. But it's hard to follow if you put the book down for more than a day -- there are a lot of complex clues, some of them disguised in trivial ways. I found the characters interesting too, which made the book an enjoyable read. Unfortunately, I wasn't quite as fulfilled with the ending -- I was hoping for an explosive, action-packed finale. I recommend the book, but don't get all worked up for a splashy ending.

After cracking open the book on a quiet Saturday morning, I expected to find a story filled with action and only action. It started with a violent break-in at the Saudi ambassador's residence (prologue) and the kidnapping of the FBI's lead suspect (chapter 1). I instantly thought that I would be in for a long, stereotypical Bond-style read. However, I was pleasantly surprised. By the end of chapter 2, I was fully immersed in the main character, Richard Nash, and his imperfect plight to find his lost love and correct a mistake from long ago. The story further develops smoothly with Nash stumbling onto clue after clue, the twists of which are completely unexpected. What at first appears to be a story of an intense search for a woman and three famous paintings, the plot morphs into an elaborate espionage labyrinth, the key players of which are never fully revealed -- until the end. Even if you don't understand nuclear weaponry and Israeli-Arab military history, Frieden's novel weaves a page-turning story, at the heart of which is a frightening and utterly sinister conspiracy, coupled with very human emotions and uncertainties. By early Saturday afternoon I was about two-thirds into the book, and by then I simply could not put it down. I was walking in Nash's shoes, seeing through his eyes, and deciphering the events as he would see it. I was in a completely different world. And the end was as unexpected as all the other twists in the book. Although I would have preferred a slightly different ending, I was satisfied with it. It all made sense, and now I look forward to reading it again to catch all the other clues that I may have missed. I recommend this book and look forward to another novel by this author. Does anyone know when the next one comes out?

I briefly met the author last year, and finally read the book over the holidays. Awesome plot for sure. Excellent characters, though I would never want to meet a real Sara--a bizarre, cold woman whose sole goals in life are to create illusions of herself and seek revenge. BUT she's perfect for the story. Nash, on the other hand, is suave, driven, warm, and, to his fault, crazy about this elusive woman who can't possibly love him. And he's incredibly naive about the way the FBI used him. And I like the author's humor. But most remarkably, Frieden portrays the bad guys (and gals) in the best way possible for a novel of this genre: by leaving the reader guessing about who holds the moral high ground.

Nash, the lead character, is clever but also gullible, brave yet frail, passionate but sometimes cold---seemingly real traits of someone who stumbles into the espionage profession---and that reality is what makes this story interesting. At times the plot becomes quite complex, particularly in the middle, and a couple of chapters are too long, but the characters and the dramatic twists in the book make this a true page-turner.

Kudos to Frieden. For a first espionage novel, he's successfully integrated all the ingredients of a typical spy thriller: a diabolical plot, page-turning suspense, interesting and dynamic characters, and meaningful dialogue. But there's more. Frieden has carefully blended the storyline with marvelous, off-the-beaten-path settings in France, Mexico, West Africa, Southern California and New York, bringing a refreshing international feel to the reader, while also avoiding super-human attributes for his characters, particularly the cunning hero, Nash. The book also offers something for the espionage afficionado--which I am not--including details that can't possibly be far from the truth. And if it is the truth, the Middle East is in for a rude awakening. Definitely an enjoyable, easy read.

I was skeptical at first, given the abundance of "Middle East" themes in fiction novels and my assumption that all possible plots dealing with Arab-Israel tensions have already been written, ad nausea. However, this book casts a different light on a heavily beaten path of tough political/military issues in that region by using a clever tool: an unusual, complex character, Richard Nash. Nash embodies the struggle, the confusion, and the moral conflicts facing his assignment for the FBI, yet this is carried through an engaging search for an old flame (who is also a suspect) and for paintings that reveal a lot more than what is on the canvas. In other words, the author brings to the forefront important Middle East issues (and a deadly conspiracy that connects perfectly to the paintings) in a subtle, entertaining way. I also enjoyed the flashbacks -- they were masterfully placed in the story. And the key character, Sara, was challenging to decypher. Maybe she was the villian after all, or maybe not.

Frieden's depiction of the lead character, Nash and his hunt for the lost love of his life (Sara) is remarkable. Caught in a secret and extremely sensitive international espionage plan, the lead character finds himself enthralled in a desparate and profoundly complex international dilemma. This thrilling novel captivates the reader's curiosity from the first page, and magnificently captures the drama of his heart-wrenching search for Sara, while against all odds.

The book follows a brilliant, multi-level plot with characters that are as diverse as they are fascinating. Notably, the story brings to the foreground Israel's nuclear capabilities and its political consequences in the Middle East that fostered the conspiracy--which Frieden masterfully presents. The logic is tight. The ambiguities are doubtless intentional and stirring. And there are no give-aways... Readers will have to be sharp to understand some of the more subtle links and inferences. This is an innovative leap forward in the espionage genre and offers realistic, atypical heros and heroins while preserving a serious political undercurrent that has present-day relevance.