The Amber Room: A Novel
by Steve Berry
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Book Summary Information
Author: Steve BerryEdition: Mass Market Paperback
Audio: English (Unknown); English (Original Language); English (Published)
Published: 2004-08-31
ISBN: 0345460049
Number of pages: 416
Publisher: Fawcett
Book Reviews of The Amber Room: A Novel
Book Review: HIGHLY ENTERTAINING THRILLER...
Summary: 5 Stars
In this, his debut novel, the author delivers a highly entertaining thriller that will keep the reader compulsively turning the pages. As with all of his books, history plays an important role in the theme of the book. This one focuses a lost treasure known as the "Amber Room".
I myself had no idea what the Amber Room was until I read this book. In 1716, the King of Prussia made a gift of the Amber Room to the then Tsar of Russia, Peter the Great. Apparently, they were panels of amber that were used to wall an entire room. Peter the Great kept the amber panels in storage, until about 1746, when his daughter, the Empress Elizabeth, decided to use the panels to wall a study in the Winter Palace in St. Petersburg. In 1755, Elizabeth moved the Amber Room from the Winter Palace in St. Petersburg to what would later be known as the Catherine Palace, where the amber panels were installed. The Amber Room was embellished with semi-precious stones and perfected, a masterpiece of Baroque artistry.
It was there, at Catherine Palace, that the Amber Room remained until 1941, when the Nazis invaded Russia and reclaimed the Amber Room as theirs. The Nazi's had a proclivity for acquiring great works of art from those whom they conquered. At Hitler's express direction, the Amber Room was dismantled, panel by panel, and twenty tons of the precious amber panels were shipped to Germany by truck and rail. The amber panels were eventually installed in Konigsberg Castle, where they remained until early 1945. After Allied bombardment and the march of the Soviet army upon Konigsberg, the amber panels were once again removed, crated, and put on a truck convoy, where they were to have been taken to safety. To this day, its fate remains unknown, as the amber panels were never again seen.
It is around this intriguing real life mystery that the author builds his story. Atlanta judge, Rachel Cutler, and her ex-husband, Paul, get swept away by international intrigue, when Karol Borya, her eighty three year old father dies unexpectedly, leaving behind some intriguing information about the Amber Room. Rachel decides to pick up the trail her father left and head off to Germany, unaware that her movements are being tracked by two competing, ruthless individuals, Suzanne Danzer and Christian Knoll, who are also looking to solve the mystery of the Amber Room. They each hold the position of Aquisitor, a person who works for an individual member of a consortium of nine wealthy individuals known as the Retrievers of Lost Antiquities. The Acquisitor is the one who recovers stolen art treasures on behalf of a member of this consortium for that individual's private collection. They will stop at nothing to get that which they seek. Paul, sensing something is not quite right, joins Rachel in Germany. A dangerous cat and mouse game ensues, as they try to make sense of the hand that fate has dealt them.
There are many twists and turns in this action packed thriller, and a lot of historical information is woven into the fabric of this intricately plotted novel. I was hooked once I read the gripping prologue that sets the tone for the book. I found that I simply could not stop turning the pages of this engrossing thriller. This is a plot driven book, so while it may fall a little short in the area of character development, it does not for one moment diminish the enjoyment that the reader will get from reading this immensely interesting work of fiction. It is simply an amazing debut novel. Those who enjoyed "The Da VInci Code" will, undoubtedly, enjoy this book, as well.
Summary of The Amber Room: A Novel
Forged of the exquisite gem, the Amber Room is one of the greatest treasures ever made by man?and the subject of one of history?s most intriguing mysteries. German troops invading the Soviet Union seized the Room in 1941. When the Allies bombed, the Room was hidden, and it has never been seen since. But now, the hunt has begun once more.Atlanta judge Rachel Cutler loves her job and her kids, and remains civil to her ex-husband, Paul. But everything changes when her father dies under mysterious circumstances, leaving behind clues to a secret about something called the Amber Room. Desperate for the truth, Rachel takes off for Germany with Paul close behind. Before long, they?re in over their heads. Locked into a treacherous game with professional killers, Rachel and Paul find themselves on a collision course with the forces of greed, power, and history itself.
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