Nancy Cole SilvermanCritiques

Kat is hired by the FBI to investigate a case. However, this becomes a lot bigger than expected and Kat finds herself in deeper waters. There are plenty of characters to follow in this historical mystery story as readers can investigate the case alongside Kat.


I received a free copy and am leaving a review voluntarily.
Thank you to NetGalley and author.

I didn’t enjoy this book. The subject was interesting but as I read it, mistakes were made and (eg.someone’s name changed from one chapter to another). The character development was ok for me, but the facts and the story development wasn’t.

Kat is hired by the FBI to investigate a case. However, this becomes a lot bigger than expected and Kat finds herself in deeper waters. There are plenty of characters to follow in this historical mystery story as readers can investigate the case alongside Kat.


I received a free copy and am leaving a review voluntarily.
Thank you to NetGalley and author.

Passport to Spy by Nancy Cole Silverman is the second in her Kat Lawson series but works as a standalone. I liked the premise of an out of work investigative reporter working as an undercover FBI agent. I enjoyed seeing Germany in December,1999, through the character’s eyes; the historical and cultural references were interesting, particularly Germany’s reluctance to deal with the issue of stolen art.
Unfortunately, the more I read, the more annoyed I became with the character. For a professional woman in her 40s who has been repeatedly warned of the dangers she might face, she consistently ignores advice and trusts her “instincts” – instincts that walk the fine line between naïve and foolish.
I appreciate the opportunity to review this book but will probably pass on future installments in the series.

Enjoyable mystery plot surrounding stolen paintings and a crafty 'journalist'. Great beach read type story, with likeable characters and good tension when there needed to be.

I enjoyed the premise and execution of this book and it kept my interest throughout the story. I had a little trouble following who did what at some points, and I felt it could use a tiny bit more editing to correct some picky grammar and style issues that probably only bother people like me who are obsessive about them. Nevertheless, it was fun to read, if a little over the top vis-a-vis a non-trained former journalist being sent as a spy.

I received this book from the Early Reviewers programme. I received the Amazon link but couldn't download the whole books as "it is not available in your country"... I downloaded a sample anyway and gave it a go.
I could only read up to chapter 4 with the sample. The story has the right plots - an American journalist (a woman in 40s) travelled to Germany, to spy about some stolen arts by the Nazi. The stage is well-set but I wasn't excited after the 4 chapters I read. One of the chapter was written not even like a novel as I felt like reading an essay... Others are fine but not enough for me to find out if I can/should actually get the full book.

A great sequel! I loved the first book and I was super excited to start the next in the series. The plot line is much more mystery/crime focused in this story whereas the more family driven plot line in the first story. This story takes on a different direction focusing much more on the art theft and history part. The story, like a classic mystery, included twists I was not anticipating which kept me intrigued and invested in the story. I read it all in only a couple sittings because I was enjoying it so much. I look forward to more stories in this series.

*** This book was provided as an advanced copy from the author as an Early Reviewer***

First of all, I would like to thank the author for gifting me this book to review. Although it took me 5 days to read (personal activities got into the way), this would have normally be a 1 or 2 day read for me. It is that captivating. I felt a connection from page one.
Kat Lawson has recently been fired from an Arizona newspaper where she worked as an investigator reporter. Now she is working for Journey International, a travel magazine, which is also a front for the FBI. Her assignment was to go to Munich to meet with Hans von Hausmann and his sister Erika who are curators for The Gerhardt Galerie. These two are suspected of knowing where their uncle hid stolen art taken by Hitler during WWII. Throw in a Russian art dealer who will stop at nothing to get what he wants.
There were moments in this book which was suspenseful. And the author kept me guessing until the very end. I loved the setting of this book and how she brought in the German Christmas traditions.

Kat Martin, former investigative reporter, but now working undercover for the FBI, sets out to locate a hidden cache of stolen masterpieces hidden in Germany. The action and plot move rapidly in unexpected ways.

Nothing like a historical mystery to start my kindle journey. I finally got a kindle, and this was the perfect book to start with. The first in the Kat Lawson series, lays a simple yet intriguing plot that keeps you reading. For a while, I was unsure of where the plot line was going to go, and which characters would do what, but I am pretty happy with the way the story eventually ended. I do think that the ending came very quickly. I was noticing the percentage finished increasing, but there were still many plot lines that needed to be tied up. All in all, I'm very excited to read the next book in the series.

This is the second in the Kat Lawson mystery series. I did not read the first, however, this worked well as a stand alone.

Kat, a one time investigative reporter, is recruited by the FBI to go undercover in Munich, Germany. Her cover is as a writer for a travel magazine and her assignment is to try to find a hidden cache of valuable paintings stolen by the Nazis from Jews and museums and hidden by the father of a present day museum curator. Soon Kat finds that she herself is being hunted by both sides of the law.

This was a fast paced, quick read. Although the basic plot was certainly plausible, I found the “spy” action around it to be a bit over the top, far fetched, almost farcical. I gave up viewing it as realistic and read it more as a “fun” read. Strange to say that about murder and mayhem, but………

This book was very interesting to me because the author’s notes mention that she loosely based the story about the stolen paintings on a true character, someone I was familiar with because I had seen his collection at a museum in Bern as it was being catalogued and researched for possible return to the rightful heirs of the original owners. I also enjoyed the very accurate descriptions of Munich and some of the surrounding Bavarian locations.

Thanks to #netgalley and #levelbestbooks for the ARC.

I had been anxiously awaiting a new Kat Lawson Mystery from Nancy Cole Silverman, and was thrilled to discover Passport to Spy was available. The author once again quickly drew me into her story and kept me turning the pages.

This time Kat Lawson travels to Germany as a travel reporter who is also working undercover to assist in gathering information about an art gallery possibly being involved in the sale of forged masterpieces. Part of her assignment meant that she had to meet Hans and Erika, curators of the Gerhardt Galerie art museum. While she and Hans appear to be compatible, Erika is difficult. Kat learns far more about the fake art than required. Even when her magazine editor recommends that she return home, Kat opts to remain in hopes of obtaining more information. This choice puts her life in jeopardy.

I had a hard time putting this book down as I got caught up in all the twists and turns of this investigation. The story moves along at a fast pace and there are moments I was almost holding my breath as Kat found herself in life-threatening moments.

The hard part now is waiting for what I hope will be a third book in this series.

Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with an early copy of Passport to Spy. I am under no obligation to post a positive review, but am thrilled to say that I loved this book as much as I did the author’s first book in this series.

The premise of the story is solid: a scandalized American newspaper reporter visits Budapest to investigate her father’s war-time experiences. Likewise, the character arc of our narrator is good. But the plot is built on some pretty convenient coincidences and other unbelievable elements, including one comparable to the previously undiscovered box-in-the-attic trope. Similarly, I found some of the narrator’s actions a little far-fetched. I also didn’t understand the reasoning for one main ‘secret’.

Points were also lost due to the distracting writing. The Hungarians’ dialogue was written in the present tense (instead of the simple past tense) when talking about the past, presumably as an indication of their basic knowledge of the English language. But their grammar was otherwise intact, (including appropriate use of the more difficult past perfect tense), as was their vocabulary. Similarly, the frequent repetitiveness that came about when the narrator would have her inner dialogues, questioning everything that had just occurred and often reminding the reader of her suspicions. So, there is a lack of subtlety in the storytelling. Overall, the book is slow in places, except for the ending, which is rushed.
I was provided with an ARC (thanks to the author & publisher!) and I am voluntarily posting my honest review.½

Kat lost her job as a reporter and had time to go to Hungary, but thought it was a scam, but she couldn't deny her father this wish.

She did find Hungary to be beautiful and interesting, but the man who contacted her father seemed like a con artist so Kat was wary.

Kat also finds more information about her father's time during the war than he had shared with her.

Will she find the woman who saved her father after all these years?

Will she find other things too?

Perhaps things she wasn’t to find?

THE NAVIGATOR'S DAUGHTER is a lovely, educational, pull-you-in read. Kat is a great character.

Women's fiction fans, mystery fans, and those fans of WWII who want to learn of what happened in Hungary will enjoy this book. 5/5

This book was given to me by the author for an honest review.

Nancy Cole Silverman’s first book in her Kat Lawson Mystery series grabbed my attention from the very start. The author has intricately woven a tale of family and historical suspense that kept this reader turning the pages. The story has roots in a real life incident, but the book is strictly a work of fiction.

Kat Lawson is separated from her husband and currently unemployed. Her father, who is dying of cancer, asks her to accept an invitation he received to visit the site in Hungary where his downed World War 2 B-24 bomber has been found. In spite of her doubts that this is true and being highly suspicious of a scam, Kat decides to make the trip.

Skeptical that the plane she will see is really the one her father was aboard and about her chances of finding someone that he wants her to locate, Kat moves forward cautiously. Since the man who contacted her family also arranged for her place to stay and offers to serve as her tour guide, she is wary of anyone connected to him. However, she connects with an eager young local man who agrees to help her.

This story takes some surprising twists and keeps you on your toes. The characters you meet become real. Place descriptions are so vivid that you could actually be there.

I received an advance review copy of The Navigator’s Daughter from the author. I am beyond thrilled to have had a chance to read this early copy and am already wishing for the next one.

If a murder can be called fun, then “The House on Hallowed Ground” fits the description. In this first book in her new Misty Dawn Mystery series, Nancy Cole Silverman manages to keep us guessing the killer and at the same time leaves you smiling over the unplanned working relationship of ghost Wilson Thorne and psychic Misty Dawn. Another feature that some readers will enjoy is that Misty Dawn is older person.

The story is well crafted and left this reader guessing who committed the crime. We find that there are multiple characters who could be guilty and are carefully led down various paths until the murderer is eventually revealed. I enjoyed getting to know each one and discovering how they fit into the story.

This is the first of Ms. Silverman’s books that I have read and anticipate reading more….certainly the next book in this series.

Misty Dawn is a Hollywood psychic (retired) who lives with Wilson Thorne, a Hollywood set designer (deceased) in his home. He hasn't been able to 'pass over' yet, so they've come to an understanding between them to keep peace.

When two young women approach her because one of them, Amy, has lost her engagement ring and is afraid to tell her fiancé, son of a man who has built a wealthy cosmetics empire, she's both devastated and desperate. Misty manages to calm her down and convince her that the ring isn't far and will be returned to her.

But she also senses danger for Amy and tells her to contact her whenever she feels it necessary. But when it leads to murder, Misty is drawn into a web of deceit, lies, malice, anger, and above all, evil - she also discovers that there are two ghosts living in The House That Vanity Built - and if Misty doesn't find a way to help the young woman -- and soon -- her own life could be in danger as well...

This is the second book in the series and I am glad to say that it is just as good as the first. What begins as a case of a lost ring very shortly turns into murder, and Misty is reluctantly drawn into the case, but soon finds she is threatened to leave it alone -- which she won't do, since she's grown fond of Amy and doesn't want to see anything happen to her. She's learned (with a little help from Wilson) that if she doesn't get Amy away soon, it might be too late for her.

But it's not going to be easy, since the police have warned her away more than once, and even when she comes to them when she's followed home, they tell her it's probably just a case of road rage. So Misty is determined to find out who's following her, and who killed the victim since she's positive they have the wrong person.

It's a very good mystery, and we are taken into a a murderer's tangled web of artifice and cunning that attempts to eliminate anyone who gets in their way. In the end, when the murderer is discovered, we are shown just how easy it is to hide the face of evil; and how difficult it is to expose them. I look forward to the next in the series. Highly recommended.

The House on Hallowed Ground by Nancy Cole Silverman is the debut novel in A Misty Dawn Mystery series. She was once a psychic to the stars who did the talk show circuit (Johnny Carson, Merv Griffin) and consulted with the FBI. Now, she is down on her luck and living in her VW bus with her cat, Bossypants. When Denise offers Misty her deceased brother’s home in exchange for readings, she is quick to move in. What Misty did not know is that her brother’s spirit, Wilson Thorne still inhabits the home. Misty is visited by actress, Zoey who believes her home, the Pink Mansion is haunted. Before Misty can address the ghost situation, Zoey’s friend is murdered, and Zoey is at the top of the suspect list. Misty with Wilson’s help begins searching for answers. Misty Dawn is a unique character and I like that she is an older protagonist. She was not going to let Wilson scare her out of her new home. Misty showed Wilson that she had no intention of departing. Wilson was a set designer who managed to collect numerous unique pieces over the years. He may have left his estate to his sister, but Wilson does not like Denise in his home or touching his belongings. Denise is a dramatic woman who believes Hugh Jackman is her soul mate. The character’s antics will have you laughing. The murder mystery provides multiple suspects and misdirection. You will wonder if the ghost killed Zoey’s best friend or did a human commit the deed. Readers, though, will have no problem solving the whodunit before the solution is revealed. I enjoyed the paranormal aspects with the ghosts and a family curse. The ending was sweet and left me smiling. The House on Hallowed Ground is a lighthearted paranormal cozy mystery with sensitive specters, a zealous admirer, an acclaimed actress, polluted possessions, and a seasoned spiritualist.

Carol Childs works for a radio station in Los Angeles as a reporter. She's just met her daughter's boyfriend Pete, who's an aspiring photographer, and she thinks he's nice enough, but still worries that Cate is too young to be seriously involved with anyone. Suddenly both her life and that of Cate's is upended. Her daughter calls in a panic and says the police have arrested Pete as the Model Slayer - a man who has been randomly killing women and posing them around the valley. Cate insists there's no way Pete could be the killer, but Carol doesn't know him well enough to decide.

Then she gets a telephone call and a woman tells her that Pete couldn't be the killer, because she'd already killed him. When Carol meets with her, the young woman calling herself Xstacy explains what happened and how she knows Pete's not guilty - giving Carol information only the police know which strengthens her story.

Even though she's close to the situation because of Cate, she insists she's given the story by her boss and when she investigates further, she discovers that while Pete may not be guilty, there's an awful lot of evidence pointing to the fact that he is. Will Carol be able to prove his innocence or will he go down for crimes he knew nothing about? She now not only has to help her daughter, she has to protect her sources from both the police and a killer or lose everything...

I thoroughly enjoyed this fifth book in the Carol Childs Mysteries. The writing is crisp, the story line original, and the characterizations of people and places fully dimensional. You can almost sense Carol's angst against having to protect her sources against helping her daughter; while Cate doesn't truly understand what her mother is going through, she only knows that she loves Pete and wants him out of jail at any cost - and that brings the tension between them front and center.

We also have the return of Chase, a private investigator with a recent past with Carol, who's been hired to help any way he can, all the while still intimating that he'd like to continue where they left off. The romance in the story is by no means overshadowing the mystery which is a good thing, but it is there nonetheless, and you can tell Carol is trying to keep him at arms' length while also trying to sort out her feelings for him and for her ex-boyfriend, an FBI agent who has temporarily entered her life - but on the other side for the prosecution.

The story moved along quickly, and while the descriptions weren't graphic of the dead women you still managed to imagine the horror in your mind, thinking of what they must have gone through before they were killed. When there's another murder that hits close to home, Carol is even more desperate to find the killer before he finds her source and kills again, and it is in the last few chapters that it all comes to a head.

When the book is over and the killer is revealed it comes as a complete surprise; there were plenty of twists in the story and enough red herrings to keep one looking in more than one direction. Ms. Silverman is a talented story teller who is able to grab one at the very beginning of a book and keep you on the edge of your seat right through the last page. I have enjoyed each and every one of these books, and they are on my shelf as 'keepers.' Highly recommended.

Room for Doubt by Nancy Cole Silverman is the 4th Carol Childs Mystery in the series but the first one I read. I received a copy from Henery Press and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

From Goodreads: "When radio reporter Carol Childs is called to a crime scene in the Hollywood Hills at five thirty in the morning, she's convinced it must be a publicity stunt to promote a new movie. That is, until she sees the body hanging from the center of the Hollywood sign. The police are quick to rule it a suicide, but something doesn't add up for Carol. Particularly after a mysterious caller named Mustang Sally confesses to the murder on the air and threatens to kill again. With the help of an incorrigible PI, her best friend, and a kooky psychic, Carol is drawn into the world of contract killers and women scorned. As she races to find the real killer, she finds herself faced with a decision that will challenge everything she thought she knew."

The story moves along well and all plot points are wrapped up in the end. The vigilante group of abused women is especially interesting - and scary. Demonstrates how vigilantism and standing up for yourself can get out of hand and lead to abuses and secrets you will do anything to protect. Mustang Sally is a key player in the story and has a lot more depth than you see on the surface.

Garhardt "Chase" Chasen, the "incorrigible PI," is annoying, to say the least. But his motives and agenda are probably worthy, and you can see there is some chemistry percolating between him and Carol. Something to watch for in future books?

Carol is a strong and determined woman and is surrounded by a very interesting cast of characters. I couldn't quite figure Carol or her job out, though. She seems to be good at her job but isn't that well-treated at the radio station and she seems to be unsure of herself at times and goes with the flow. Chase seems way too involved with decisions regarding her assignments. She floats in and out of a rather run-of-the-mill home life and extreme danger, going with the flow at times and throwing caution to the wind at others. If this is considered a cozy read then that works because the protagonist always jumps into situations without thinking, but the subject matter of this story is very serious so it seems a little off. And perhaps this is one of those series where you need to start at the beginning to get a better feel for the main character.

Once it gets going the action is non-stop. There are a lot of players with a lot of unsuspected ties to each other, and things are nicely wrapped up at the end. This was an enjoyable read. Thanks to Henery Press, NetGalley and Nancy Cole Silverman for providing it.

Offering a protagonist mirroring today’s woman—intelligent, aggressive, unafraid of going for it—Silverman offers another Carol Child’s Mystery entertaining the reader with jewel thieves, car chases, betrayal, and humor. This is another winner, a great summer read, and an irresistible page turner.

Silverman's first book in this series Shadow of a Doubt offered completed enjoyment. She doesn't disappoint with her newest, Beyond a Doubt. In fact, this new novel is even better! Great protagonist, fast-paced, page-turner mystery, Beyond a Doubt will leave you, as it did with me, wanting book three.

If you can’t pass up flipping through People’s Magazine to see what is the latest on the celebrity scene, then you are going to love Nancy Cole Silverman’s Shadow of a Doubt. A Carol Child’s mystery, the protagonist Carol balances motherhood, romance and tangling with a shadowy psychic named Misty Dawn with humor and suspense. This is an enjoyable fast-pace read from beginning to end.--Le Coeur de l'Artiste

Best yet of her Carol Child Mystery series, this newest title is page-licking great. Carol Child, a radio newscaster, is authentically penned. The story, current and intriguing, reads as if you’re one of her listeners. Each book in the series is substantial and solid in the craft of writing a good, puzzling mystery.

Review: Le Coeur de l'Artiste