Two love stories separated in time, but linked by the mystery of a missing painting. The talented novelist, Carla Montero, offers intrigue, romance and history, all in one book.

Review by Adriana López

La Tabla Esmeralda / The Emerald Table

Author: Carla Montero

Ana, a young art historian from the Prado Museum, lives a quiet life in Madrid with her boyfriend Konrad, a German art collector. But when The Astrologer, a 15th century painting by Giorgione crosses her path, her life takes a complete new turn; when a letter written during the Second World War about the mysterious painting by the enigmatic Renaissance painter is discovered, it provides the couple with clues.

Motivated by The Astrologer’s tremendous value, Konrad convinces Ana to embark on a search that leads her to discover not only the dark past of a Nazi-occupied Paris, but the saga of the Bauer family, who were responsible for concealing a centuries-old secret surrounding the painting. Flash back in time to a Paris during the German occupation, the SS commander, Georg von Bergheim, an elite military war hero, has just received an order: to find the whereabouts of a painting by Giorgione, known as The Astrologer. Hitler was convinced that the work concealed a great enigma, a revelation that has been passed on for centuries. The search leads the commander to the talented Sarah Bauer, beginning a thrilling chase that will have unintended consequences for everyone involved.

Two love stories separated in time, but linked by the mystery of a missing painting. The talented novelist, Carla Montero, offers intrigue, romance and history, all in one book.