Carlota's Legacy (Jewel Trilogy, 2)
Claude Brickell, 2014
Bricbooks
143 pp.
ISBN-13: 9780557123100 (Kindle)
Summary
This modern-day adventure, rooted in a rich, historical past, has young, accomplished art historian Michael Bennington approached at a New York jewelry auction by a pleasant enough couple from Belgium, nobility actually, who wish to engage him in a curious assignment. He must track down the whereabouts of a priceless diamond and ruby necklace the couple thought they owned, but after having theirs appraised, discovered it was only a cut-glass fake.
Michael accepts the assignment with a heightened passion—his specialty is 19th century jewels—and he’s off to Mexico City where the real necklace originated. From there he traces its path to St. Petersburg, Paris, Los Angeles and New York and ends up in Brussels for a harrowing life-and-death finale. The quirky former owners of the artifact are all beyond belief but historically accurate nonetheless and their exotic and lurid pasts both astound and captivate.
Carlota’s Legacy continues the entertaining exploits of the likable Bennington character in the second installment.
This is the second installment in the Jewel Trilogy: it is preceded by The Napoleon Connection (2014) and followed The Brotherhood Wars (2014).
Author Bio
Claude Brickell is a New York-based writer of art history adventure mysteries. His Jewel Trilogy introduces readers to young, likable and accomplished art historian Michael Bennington as he searches the world for rare and missing artifacts in three thrilling installments: The Napoleon Connection, Carlota's Legacy and The Brotherhood Wars.
Claude's formal education was with the American University and the Sorbonne in Paris, Oxford University in England and graduate of New York University. He is a world-traveler, a certified fine arts appraiser, a filmmaker, a former ice hockey league player and an equestrian enthusiast. He is currently an instructor at New York University. (From the author.)
Visit the author's book website — and his art blog.
Visit Claude on Facebook.
Discussion Questions
1. What is Michael Bennington all about? What drives this artifact enthusiast to the ends of the world to discover their whereabouts?
2. How does Bennington compare with other artifact hunters such as Robert Langdon? Does his age-difference add to or hinder his success?
3. How does Bennington add up in the area of love and intimate relationships? Is he struggling or hopeless? (most discernible after reading all three installments).
4. How convincing are the author's depictions and descriptions of the various locales Bennington visits?
5. How would you define exactly the genre of The Jewel Trilogy?
6. What age range and reader group do you feel The Jewel Trilogy is best suited for?
(Questions courtesy of the author.)