This book is heralded as historical fiction and it brings up some interesting historical facts blended into the fiction. Having said that I found the characters to be flat and unconvincing. The storyline was confusing in that too many clues became \"red herrings\" that then became valid clues and vice versa. It was often difficult to determine where the author was heading with the plot or why the characters (historical and contemporary) were doing certain things. Can you tell I didn\'t enjoy this book? Well evidently none of my book club members did either as very few were able to make past the first 60-100 pages. One reader quit after page 3! I could go on but I think you get the point.