First time reading this author. I have seen much of their work around.
It was about what I expected. Easy to read, but interesting enough to keep things going. Did find some story devices frustrating in the way they held up the story progress. Often becoming impatient at the pauses between the story of Katrina's (Katarina's?) past.
Honestly, did not care for the epilogue, would have been better if the book ended without it. Felt more impactful at the end of the chapter since all ends were tied up and there was no real need for the post-amble. ( )

Story of Jewish Czech family and the impact of the Nazi eradication of Jews and theft of valuable property. How one young woman was able to trace the thief through the provenance of a unique pearl piece that was from the Ottoman Empire but had been in her family for centuries. Many stories of the holocaust have been written but this was done quite differently. ( )

Nazi hunting thriller with soppy happy ending. ( )

This is the first book I have read by this author, and I was not disappointed. The story was harrowing at times, but the descriptive passages, historical research and attention to detail bought the novel to life. We are all aware of the atrocities inflicted upon Jews during World War Two, and reading this harrowing tale centered on the life of Katerina is heart-rending. How she was able to carry on with her life and rise above her past made for a very interesting story, and this was a hard book to put down as the story unfolded. I loved her portrayal of her main male characters and especially Edward. ( )

Sweeping across Prague, Paris, London and York during World War II and then into the Sixties, "The Pearl Thief" was an entertaining read. Although not my favourite Fiona McIntosh book, I did admire the attention to detail. She had certainly done her research and brought these places alive, especially the moors of Yorkshire and the forests of Czechoslovakia. At times this novel was harrowing, heart-breaking and poignant.

Ruda Mayek was a truly evil villain who had no soul or knew no boundaries. What he did to Katerina and her family, when she was a young teenager, made me sick to the stomach. The author didn't pul any punches and I was shedding tears along with Katerina.

Unfortunately, there was a love triangle, but I did like both Daniel and Edward despite them being poles apart. However, I must admit, I was disappointed with Katerina's choice. I thought she and the other man were better suited.

Although I found "The Pearl Thief "slow in places and predictable, it was a touching read highlighting the power, the generosity and the ugliness of the human spirit. ( )