“What a great ride!”

I am a murder mystery buff, who happens to love architecture - so this book was right up my alley. I read it in two days, literally hauling the paperback around to keep reading all weekend. I love that I could learn things about art and architecture while watching this mystery twist and turn. The characters are well developed, to the point where I was actually invested in certain relationships, hoping the culprit wasn't one of my favorites. I can't wait to head up to the Northern California location to walk around places I felt I got to know. I enjoyed the journey and felt so satisfied at the end of reading this book. I'm sure I'll be reading it again this summer! BAS

“Loved this book!”

I could not put it down. When it built to the climax, this was one of those books that I stayed up until 3am to finish, because I was so curious what would happen next the entire time. Bottom line, it's a fun read, worth the price of admission to a suspenseful world with rich and colorful characters. Looking forward to more from this author! SP

“Well done!”

Great combination of elements . . . wine country, art and architecture. I learned a lot, but a lot of the architectural discussion was over my head . . . . The plot and the characters were very believable. I found the story to be fascinating right through to a most unexpected end. DB

“Interesting Story.”

I enjoyed this book as a whole. The story was I interesting and thought provoking. There were some times that the story was hard to follow as it jumped to different times giving background about different characters and then it would jump back to the current part of the story dealing with a separate character. The author did a great job keeping me guessing about who the real killer was and in the end of the story it ended up being someone who I never would have guessed. TH

“A surprise at every turn.”

The setting is classy, the characters keep you guessing. It’s a mystery you won’t be able to put down. So glad I found this great read. TW

“I thoroughly enjoyed this book!”

This book was a fun read. The author went to great lengths to help the reader visualize the setting and the characters in this who-done-it murder mystery. Anyone interested in architecture and masterpiece works of art will enjoy this book. There is a colorful cast of characters that keep you guessing until the end. I had almost everyone under suspicion. Once I started reading this book, it was hard to take a break. I highly recommend The Eighth Master. I give it 5 stars! AC

A mystery that keeps you guessing!

I usually read fantasy, but a friend recommended it. It kept me guessing. AG

It was a goodread.

A friend who knows my fondness for the Napa Valley suggested I read this book over a long weekend.  It was a tough sell (I usually read non-fiction) but a good call.  By the end of the weekend, I had revisited one of my favorite locations and been given a glimpse into the world of architecture, high end art sales, and California's wine country -- all while trying to solve a murder mystery that kept me guessing until the end.

I don't usually read fiction . . . or write reviews, but this one got me. SKR

It was really, really good!

This is not a speedy read, unless you are one who rushes through a book just to say you've read it. This book took time and more than once I was on the internet looking up architectural, artist and financial references. I expected I'd be introduced to architecture but I was thrown into the world of art auctions and intermediaries and financial wheeling and dealing the likes of which I've never known as well.

But ta da! There was a murder mystery in there and wow! It was really, really good! I mean, REALLY good!

Who ARE you JD? My sense is that you are intimately familiar with not only architecture, but art and finance as well. I suspect the only real research necessary on your part was that of law enforcement.

At any rate, if you, dear reader, are looking for a beautifully written, educational thriller, this is it. I'm usually pretty good at figuring out 'who done it', but I didn't figure this one out until very near the end. M

Quite a puzzle!

There is a lot to enjoy in this book. It is a 'who-done-it's set in a fun location with a large-ish cast of interesting characters.

One of the things I have always enjoyed about reading is the opportunity to learn something new that i couldn't learn otherwise. This book immerses you into the process of design and building in ways that are interesting, informative, and cleverly entwined with the plot.

It has a bit of a slow start . . . but definitely builds in intensity and complexity as it progresses.

The author jumps back and forth in time and perspectives but I never felt confused. If this is a first book for this author (I'm assuming) it is well written and a fun read. The Napa Valley location is well researched and the window into the field of architecture is eye-opening and entertaining.
 
Over-all, this was quite a jig-saw puzzle of a mystery with a satisfying conclusion. Yeah . . . there were some coincidences . . . but they were fun. N

A good read worth the time and shekels.

The story starts like a rare Ferrari. A couple of coughs and spits before it warms up. Rutherford warms up a few pages in and the story runs true from then on. The story is good, the architecture fits the landscape, the clues are all there but you won't connect the dots until the last piece drops into place. TS

Ohhhhh dear lawd!

This book kept me intrigued! Wine, art and murder? Give me! This book kept me guessing the whole time! I absolutely couldn't put it down. Trust me when I say going to the potty was quite interesting. 😂  M

Plot twists from blueprints.

This mystery should be of particular interest to readers interested in architecture and art history. The plot is as complex and multilayered as the blueprints that are central to the plot. Those familiar with the Napa Valley will also appreciate the accuracy with which the geography and culture of the valley is described. While the architectural details sometimes threaten to overwhelm the plot, that is also part of the pleasure of the book for those with knowledge in that area. N



Reads like architect porn, . . .

. . . but, like myself, you don't have to be an architect to enjoy this mystery. That is all there is to say. G

Very intriguing. 

Thoroughly enjoyed this book. A little more detail in some areas than I prefer, but really hated for the book to end.  Looking forward to this author's next book. BS