Tell Me No Lies

Elizabeth Lowell

Tell Me No Lies is a romantic suspense set against 1980's Chinese American relations - interesting to read while watching Olympics in Bejing. It focuses on ancient Chinese treasures but the political background gives it a tense edge.

Lindsay Danner's parents were missionaries in communist China. She still has nighmares from that time when her uncle died. She moved to live with her aunt in San Francisco when she was in her early teens. There she took a skill and turned it into her life's work. She becomes an art curator with a special feel for ancient Chinese bronze artifacts. She has a reputation of being right in her judgements and incorruptible.

When some ancient, priceless, Chinese artifacts are rumored to be on the American art market, the changing political climate in China is endangered. If the artifacts have really been stolen and are discovered, China will revert to a closed, isolationist society that it has been moving from since Mao's death. Diplomats from China are sent to the United States to track down the rumors. The United States government gives all the support necessary, albeit reluctantly.

Lindsay is needed for her impeccable reputation. She is pulled into a covert action with the FBI and the Chinese government to locate and authenticate the stolen bronzes. She values the truth in all things, so this will be difficult if not impossible. Jacob Catlin is recruited to watch over her. He is ex-CIA and an expert in covert operations. When everyone else dances around the job necessities, he gives Lindsay the full, complete truth of what she can expect in her new role. She accepts it because of her love for both countries.

Catlin's job is to keep Lindsay alive until the bronzes are found and her covert role is done. The best way to do that is to pretend to be her new lover. In this role he is a new collector of ancient Chinese bronzes who doesn't mind how he obtains them. It is due to Catlin that Lindsay is able to maintain the act.

This novel was written by Elizabeth Lowell about twenty years ago. Yet the suspenseful edge is reflected still in her books from the last decade. The characters have complex motivations that twist the story around to its final conclusion. Tell Me No Lies is good romantic suspense.

Notice: Non-graphic violence, Strong sexual content

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