In the captivating second book of the Soli Hansen Mysteries, two women—separated by more than three hundred years—are connected through their love of art.
1613. Fabiola Ruber is been wed to a man she does not know and must live in a country with a new language and different customs. The memories of a lost love in her hometown Malta haunt her, and she sets out to find an artist who can do her portrait and recapture the feelings she had when she once modeled for a renowned Italian master painter.
1944. Four years into World War II, art historian Soli Hansen works with the Norwegian resistance to locate significant artwork and safeguard the pieces from the Nazis. When she finds out the Germans are after a hidden baroque depiction of a seventeenth century woman, she must muster all her courage and skills to decipher encrypted codes and preserve the mysterious art before it’s too late.
Both women are determined to do what they can to bring healing and redemption to their otherwise ominous future. Through tangled, bewildering clues and an eye for detail, Soli’s bond to Fabiola grows closer by the day. She must find the missing painting before the enemy does.
Ranging from a privileged life in seventeenth century Antwerp to Oslo during the German occupation of the second world war, this dual timeline is a historical mystery thriller that will keep you guessing until the very end.
Hello Heidi! I am so happy to have you on my blog today! I would start with a really simple question : can you introduce us to your book by sharing the opening lines?
Thank you for having me.
Here is the opening lines of The Other Cipher:
THE MAN ADJUSTED the bright-red swastika armband and removed his hat as he entered the bakery. The bell above the door jingled merrily, and the aroma of freshly baked rolls, bread, and cakes pulled him inside, as if beckoning him to stay and sample a taste. Six small, wooden tables stood lined up against one wall. Each table was covered with a blue and white checkered tablecloth, and matching curtains hung in the windows. A narrow glass vase holding some kind of odd-looking flower sat in the middle of each table. The man shrugged at the feminine décor. He cared little for fripperies and flowers. In fact, he knew nothing about such things, other than presenting a bouquet to a woman could open doors.
2 - This is the second book in the Soli Hansen Mysteries series, do you believe that it can be read as a stand-alone or are there important references to the first chapter in the series?
I’ve tried to write it as a stand-alone book, but I believe the story will be even better if you read the first book. It’s like watching a series on TV; once you get to know the personalities of the protagonist and the other people in the story the journey with them is more enjoyable.
3 - What is the thing that links your heroines Fabiola and Soli the most?
I enjoy writing about women who don’t give up, women who are proud of being women and do their best in a time when men dominated their lives. Fabiola and Soli are both like that. They want to make good choices, so they find their courage and point their feet in the direction of their set goals.
4 - Now speaking a little about you, what is the most rewarding experience you've had since being published?
I love hearing from my readers, and reviews are always highly appreciated. To hear that readers learned something new, that the story made them think about life and the relationships between people, that they get immersed in the story and want to hear more—well, words like that lift my spirit and encourage me to continue writing.
5 - What books have influenced your life the most?
I’ve always loved historical fiction. Anything history—and I’m happy and content. Growing up, I read Polyanna, Heidi, but also mysteries for children like Nancy Drew. I continued reading Scandinavian authors like Vera Henriksen, Selma Lagerlöf, Astrid Lindgren, and Sigrid Undset. When I read Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follett, I thought it was the most exciting historical fiction I’d ever read. He’s an amazing storyteller.
6 - Are there any new authors that have grasped your interest?
Wow, there are so many great authors today. I enjoy dual timelines with mystery and a touch of romance where the two stories lace seamlessly together. Katherine Neville, Lucinda Riley, Kate Morton, and Hazel Gaynor are some of these authors.
About the author
Their favorite retreat is a mountain cabin, where they hike in the summertime and ski the vast, white terrain during winter.
Heidi's favorites are family, God's beautiful nature, and the word whimsical. Sign up for her newsletter at https://www.heidieljarbo.com/newsletter
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Thank you <3
RispondiEliminaThank YOU, Heidi! xx
Elimina