In this first book of a new historical mystery series, a young art historian faces a tough choice in German-occupied Norway.
“Artful prose and at a pace that makes for a can’t-put-down, first-class literary voyage.”–Melissa Dalton-Bradford, bestselling author of Global Mom
Oslo, 1944. Soli Hansen’s passion for art history is and always has been a way of life for her. While she spends her days … always has been a way of life for her. While she spends her days working in an art shop, WWII is taking its toll on everyone. Apprehensive of the consequences, Soli avoids becoming entangled in the war resistance efforts. She closes her eyes in hopes the enemy will retreat and leave her beautiful country for good.
But when a woman is found dead in the alley alongside the art shop and a painting from the last auction goes missing, Soli is thrown into the thickest of the fray involving both Nazi art theft and the Norwegian resistance.
Once Soli finds her courage, there’s no turning back. Her personal life is turned upside-down with danger, lies, spying, and an incredible discovery.
In this dual timeline novel, Heidi Eljarbo paints a vivid picture of what people are willing to do in desperate times. With unforgettable characters and rich historical details, Of Darkness and Light will keep the reader mesmerized until the last satisfying page.
Perfect for fans of Kate Morton, Lucinda Riley, Katherine Neville, and Kate Mosse.
Praise for Of Darkness and Light
“Interspersing love, hope, and courage, the participants are drawn together in mysterious paths.”–Pauline Isaksen, bestselling author of Dying for Justice
“Of Darkness and Light will reel you in and keep you hooked until the end.”–Mette Barfelt, bestselling author of The Solvik Series
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Very well done. I would categorize this as YA or New Adult Historical Fiction due to the main character’s age (17-21) and development. There was a bit of mystery, but the novel largely focused on the main character’s life in Norway during WW2-Nazi occupation, her passion for art, its preservation, and her dawning realization that she needed to do something about it. Definitely a coming-of-age novel. I’ll definitely be reading more from Heidi Eljarbo.
An exceptionally powerful dual timeline set in Oslo during World War II, and focusing on the art world and the dedicated people who risked their lives to save precious works.
This is a well written and researched story which I cannot recommend highly enough.
Of Darkness and Light is a historical thriller set during WWII in occupied Norway. Lately, I have enjoyed reading novels set in WWII but in countries that the history of the German Occupation isn’t as widely known.
The other fascinating part of this novel was the art history. The main character Soli is an Art Historian working for a small art dealer in her town of Oslo. A murder takes place at her work and Soli finds herself wrapped up in the resistance movement. Soli is not sure who to trust, as she is trying to stay ahead of the Nazis as they’re hunting down valuable works of art to give to Hitler.
This novel has a fascinating aspect as there is another story being told in a dual timeline. We learn about the origins of a missing piece of art and the artist who painted this piece in the 16th century, the famous Italian painter Caravaggio, and his love affair with Fabiola Ruber who posed for the painting. He led a rough life and it shows in his work.
This novel ends in a way that leaves everything open for the second Soli Hansen Mystery, The Other Cipher, that came out this past December. I can’t wait to read what happens next as it left everything up in the air. This historical mystery will keep you enthralled until the last page.
World War II is a favorite time period for me to read because I love to picture my grandparents living during this time. It’s always a treat to read about a place during this era that isn’t as commonly talked about. At least, not that I’ve read.
Soli lives in Norway and works in an art shop. A mystery almost falls right into her lap and I enjoyed how it gently unfolds during the thick of the war. There are some solid characters that lend a lot of personality to this story and come to life in a vividly intriguing way. I was attached to Soli and was rooting for her to solve things before it was too late, as I wasn’t sure who to trust and what was going on.
Although there is a war going on, this tale is written in a pleasant way, without gory details and horrors, yet the message is still delivered to the reader and it’s a story that stayed with me for some time.
Content: very mild romance; mild+ war-type violence/murder
*I received a complimentary copy. All opinions expressed are my own and were voluntarily given.*
Soli Hansen is cycling home when she’s stopped and warned that the Germans have invaded her small town in Norway. They are now at war and her life as she knows it is forever changed. Four years later she is working at an art shop when the lady who cleaned there is killed mysteriously. Is it linked to a seemingly amateur work of art that her boss recently purchased and was the lady who she said she was?
Soli’s quiet and passive life is flipped upside down when she delves deeper into the murder and the identity of the artwork. Nazis are stealing valuable pieces of art from Norway and the Jewish people and Soli can’t bear to see that happen. Teaming up with a local Policeman and then working with a resistance art club she works with them to figure out the mystery behind the painting, and how to keep it safe.
In addition to Soli’s timeline, we also go back further in time to the early 1600’s Malta and the life of the artist Caravaggio and his love affair with Fabiola Ruber.
Of Darkness and Light is the first in this new series by Heidi Eljarbo and I absolutely will be counting the days until the next one is released. I inhaled this in one sitting, it’s just that good!
This is a decently written historical fiction by an author who is passionate about art history. There are dual stories in the book, the first one that of Soli who is part of the Resistance and working to hide art from the Nazis. The second story is like a biography of Caravaggio, a master artist. The description of the artist’s technique, chiaroscuro, was fascinating. The story of Soli and the other members of the Resistance was well-told but a little slow paced at times. Fans of historical fiction will enjoy this book, and I look forward to the next installment in Soli’s story.
Disclaimer
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255, “Guides Concerning the Use of Testimonials and Endorsements in Advertising.”