The Price of Inheritance

I just finished reading the novel The Price of Inheritance by Karin Tanabe.  Carolyn Everett is twenty-nine years old and has worked at Christie’s for the last ten years (the first two as an intern).  She is the Senior Specialist of American Furniture and Decorative Arts.  Carolyn recently acquired a desk that sold for $12.5 million dollars.  Carolyn is now asked to go to Houston, Texas to see Elizabeth Tumlinsen.  Elizabeth’s husband (now deceased) was a big collector and now she might sell off some of her collection.  Carolyn and her friend as well as co-worker, Nicole are able to get the Tumlinsen collection.  About a month before the items go up for sale, Carolyn receives a call from Nina Caine.  Nina claims that a table that is going up for sale originally belonged to her mother and was stolen from her mother’s shop (it was during a period of looting).  Carolyn talks to Nina about the desk, but does not get all the details.  Nor does Carolyn mention any of this to her boss.  After the entire collection is sold, Nina’s story is coming out in the papers.  Carolyn’s boss is furious and fires Carolyn.

Carolyn heads home to Newport, Rhode Island.  She plans on staying about a month.  While staying she works for William Miller Antiques.  Carolyn worked for Williams when she was in high school and during the summer’s while in college.  Carolyn will acquire items for the store.  At a nearby auction Carolyn bids on a little foreign pottery bowl.  She is not sure if it is authentic, but buys it for $20.  Then she starts researching the little bowl.  From the weight she does not believe it is authentic.  She starts investigating where the item came from.  It leads her to Tyler Ford, a Marine aviator.  Tyler states he received it as a gift from a translator.  Several people warn Carolyn about Tyler, but she starts dating him.  They soon become quite close.  Carolyn keeps looking into the bowl, but now she is not sure she is going to like the answers. 

I found The Price of Inheritance an interesting book, but a little long.  I quickly got tired of Carolyn’s over-the-top reactions to the situation with Tyler (I am surprise she kept her job and friends).   I think part of the problem with the book is Carolyn.  I did not like her very much (and liked her even less after finishing the book).  I give The Price of Inheritance 3 out of 5 stars.  There are some lovely descriptions of furniture in the book. 

I received a complimentary copy of The Price of Inheritance from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.  The review and opinions expressed are my own.

It has been a rainy day here in Florida.  Good day to spend reading!  Have a lovely and relaxing evening!  Happy Reading!

Kris

The Avid Reader