I hadn't read any of Martina Reilly's previous novels before I received a copy of Even Better Than the Real Thing?, so I was unsure of what to expect. However, the synopsis intrigued me. A Dublin artist gets unwittingly involved in an art fraud (an eleven million euro art fraud)? It sounded like an exciting read.
In Even Better Than the Real Thing?, Eve Cole has always had a remarkable artistic talent that she's inherited from her late father. However, her specialty is not her own flair and unique pieces but fakes. Eve's job is to recreate the much loved masterpieces for clients, her favourite being Van Goghs. And when rich local art collector Della Sweeney commissions her for a piece of her own work, Eve doesn't think she can do it.
Despite living alone in her apartment with little furniture, an ex-con next door and partying neighbours, Eve is content with life. That is, until ten million euro mysteriously appears in her mother's bank account.
Eve's godfather Robert quickly reveals the reason for the money. He and Eve's father once committed a crime - selling off a painting as the real deal. A Van Gogh painting. An eighteen-year old Eve's painting, which sold for eleven million dollars.
Shocked that her own work is involved in the scam, Eve sets out to put things right - by retrieving the painting and returning the money. But it's not as easy as it looks. Announcing the 'mix-up' could lead to jail, and Eve is not willing to risk it. So with the help of friend and neighbour Larry, an ex-convict previously jailed for fraud, the pair begin their plan to take back the fake Van Gogh from a keen collector.
Larry's cunning ability to trick those in the art business leaves Eve shocked yet impressed. Larry has been her friend and neighbour for some time, yet never has she had to put all of her trust in him. And as the couple set off on their mission, which Eve prays will go perfectly to plan, she finds that there's more to this mysterious man. But will she really be able to trust a man who was put behind bars for scamming others? Will she be able to get back her painting and put things right? And will she ever be able to move away from painting fakes and embrace her own artistic style?
I enjoyed this book from the start and read it in one evening, and as soon as I finished it I wished I'd read Martina's previous novels (she has penned twelve novels for adults, including Second Chances, Summer of Secrets and A Moment Like Forever.) I loved Eve and her dedication to not only her art, but returning the money to its rightful owner. As soon as she put her faith in Larry, I had to read on to find out what happened. Larry is seemingly lovely man at the beginning, but there's definitely something shady about him, and this bit of mystery made the story even more enjoyable. It's fast-paced, funny, a little over-the-top (but undeniably brilliant!) and I loved every page.
If you'd like to read an extract of Even Better Than the Real Thing?, then head over to Martina Reilly's website.
Rating: 5/5
