Review: Playing the Game by Barbara Taylor Bradford

Playing the Game by Barbara Taylor Bradford

My rating: 3 of 5 stars
Released: October 12, 2010
Publisher: St. Martin's Press

Annette Remmington, a London art consultant and private dealer, is at the top of her game. She is considered a rising star in the international world of art, and has a roster of wealthy clients who trust her judgment and her business acumen. Her success reaches new heights when a rare and long lost Rembrandt finds its way into her hands, which she restores and sells for top dollar. Called the auction of the year, Annette becomes the most talked about art dealer in the world. 

Annette is married to her mentor and personal champion, the much older Marius Remmington. For twenty years, Marius has groomed her into the international art star that she has become, not to mention saving her from a dark and gritty past. She is his pride and joy, and as her best advisor, it’s with great care that he hand picks only the best journalist possible to do a profile on his beloved wife in a popular London Sunday newspaper. Jack Chalmers is a bit of a celebrity himself, becoming one of the top journalists of his time. Marius believes only he will be able to capture the true brilliance of his lovely wife. But Marius never intends to put his marriage in jeopardy. How could he have known that the connection between Jack and Annette would ignite so many secrets? And how could he know that Jack would uncover a scandal that could ultimately destroy them all?

Barbara Taylor Bradford does it again in this epic novel of seduction, passion and international intrigue. Playing the game has never been so thrilling.

***This review contains spoilers!***

This novel was definitely enjoyable and entertaining, but it was also unrealistically convenient. So convenient it sometimes bordered on annoying. It definitely has something for everyone, with the romance, mystery, great characters, and focus on art. I just had no appreciation for the ease and luck the main characters had as everything was coming to a head. Marius croaked before Annette and Jack had to face him and own up to their actions, and all conflict was avoided. It just seemed too easy. Yes, Marius's age was mentioned many times, but so was his health and strong presence. This just didn't seem to fit. All the other loose ends also tied up too neatly. Everything suddenly became circular, what with Nigel being Jack's father, Annette being Hilda, the forged painting being attributed to Marius and his lovers who happened to be sisters, one of whom was engaged to the uncle of Annette's client, from who he inherited all his art, including the fake paintings. Plus, many of the other fakes belong to a relative of Jack's ex-girlfriend. You see? Just one big circular, convenient mess.

This really was an entertaining read, I just wish the ending had been better.

I received a copy of this book through LibraryThing's Early Reviewer program.