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Heidi Eljarbo

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The Other Cipher (Soli Hansen Mysteries Book 2) Kindle Edition

by Heidi Eljarbo (Author) Format: Kindle Edition

4.6 73 ratings

Book 2 of 4: Soli Hansen Mysteries

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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 has 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 modelled 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.

Perfect for fans of Kate Morton, Lucinda Riley, and Rhys Bowen.

“This richly detailed, perfectly paced mystery effortlessly weaves together art history, narrative, and the palpable fear of working undercover. Soli continues her personal growth, emerging as a confident heroine who is willing to risk it all to save the paintings she loves. Perfect for fans of well-researched historical cozy mysteries." –Lynn Morrison, author of the Oxford Key Mysteries

Editorial Reviews

Review

Praise for Heidi Eljarbo's Of Darkness and Light, Book 1 in the Soli Hansen Mysteries:

"Heidi Eljarbo has certainly given herself a challenge - to write two historical periods in one novel which flow seamlessly from one to another, but the narrative works well and the two timelines inform each other beautifully...all described in sumptuous detail. If you love the art world and a good mystery, you will really enjoy this well-written book which has plenty of excitement and intrigue to keep you turning the pages...a highlight for me in descriptive writing." -Deborah Swift, author

"On its surface, this book is a wonderful mystery which will keep you guessing right up until the culprit is revealed. Underneath, this book is a story about how people can evolve and change, how different people confront challenges in different ways and how good can triumph over evil, but with a cost.
If you are looking for a mystery which weaves in human themes, history and art seamlessly, please read this book." -Lynn Morrison, author

"I absolutely will be counting the days until the next one is released. I inhaled this in one sitting, it's just that good!" -Amy Bruno, Passages of the Past

"I read an advanced copy and was awed by how quickly this story and characters captured my interest. This author is one to watch! Gripping storytelling, and you won't want to put this one down till the breathtaking end." -Christina Boyd, author

"Soli is a character whom a reader can get behind and root for. I thought her depiction was absolutely fabulous, and her story drove the narrative of this book forward. Eljarbo also reminders the reader, through her portrayal of Soli, how war can consume and change the lives of ordinary citizens sometimes for the better, more often for the worse. There are several antagonists in this novel...they were masterfully drawn and wonderfully portrayed. "Of Darkness and Light" is a reward for any reader who adores quality World War II Historical Fiction. This is a book that is definitely deserving of your time. I cannot wait to get my hands on Book 2." -Mary Anne Yarde, The Coffee Pot Book Club

Product details

ASIN ‏ : ‎ B08LBD5JTJ
Publication date ‏ : ‎ December 2, 2020
Language ‏ : ‎ English
File size ‏ : ‎ 2738 KB
Simultaneous device usage ‏ : ‎ Unlimited
Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
Sticky notes ‏ : ‎ On Kindle Scribe
Print length ‏ : ‎ 218 pages

Best Sellers Rank: #719,539 in Kindle Store (See Top 100 in Kindle Store)
- #120 in Scandinavian Literature (Kindle Store)
- #1,569 in Historical World War II Fiction
- #3,359 in Historical Mystery, Thriller & Suspense Fiction

Customer Reviews:
4.6 73 ratings

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Heidi Eljarbo

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About the Author

HEIDI ELJARBO grew up in a home full of books, artwork, and happy creativity. She is the author of historical novels filled with courage, hope, mystery, adventure, and sweet romance during challenging times. She’s been named a master of dual timelines and often writes about strong-willed women of past centuries.

After living in Canada, six US states, Japan, Switzerland, and Austria, Heidi now calls Norway home. She lives with her husband on a charming island and enjoys walking their Wheaten Terrier in any kind of weather, hugging her grandchildren, and has a passion for art and history.

Her family’s chosen retreat is a mountain cabin, where they hike in the summer and ski the vast white terrain during winter.

Heidi’s favorites are her family, God's beautiful nature, and the word whimsical.

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4.6 out of 5

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K Mac

Heart stopping action!

Reviewed in the United States on September 8, 2023

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The second book in this series doesn't disappoint! The reader feels every part of this action! And again the art information truly adds 'color' to this series that is so good!

Reviewed in the United States on July 26, 2023

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The Hiding Place meets The Sound of Music in this secret search puzzle. Good character and scene development pul you into the search for missing art.

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Caryl Kane

Captivating Historical Drama!

Reviewed in the United States on November 28, 2023

The Other Cipher is a captivating novel. I was immediately drawn into the drama. Twists and turns kept me turning the pages. It's well written and nicely paced. I'm looking forward to reading the next installment in this series.

Recommend to readers who enjoy historical mysteries.

I borrowed a copy from KU. I've expressed my honest view.

Reviewed in the United States on July 19, 2021

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Heidi Eljarbo once more transports the reader into Norway during the Nazi occupation and into Italy during the Renaissance. Soli Hansen is an intriguing main character who continues her efforts to protect art masterpieces from getting into the hands of the enemy. The author provides suspense and intrigue as well as describes historical background from over 300 years ago. I especially enjoyed the descriptive language used to help the reader visualize the places and people so they become immersed in the story. I look forward to reading another Soli Hansen adventure and any other story by this author who manages to weave events and people together into entertaining and educational tales for peoples’ enjoyment.

2 people found this helpful

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Kivel

Another success!

Reviewed in the United States on April 6, 2023

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An excellent work, mixing history with adventure, social commentary, mystery and excitement. Thoroughly recommended. Soli has become one of my favorite characters.

One person found this helpful

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Tammy

Great Series!

Reviewed in the United States on August 1, 2022

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Loved this as much as the first. I really enjoy this author. Very well written.

One person found this helpful

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Randi Annie Framnes

Captivating dual-time mystery set in wartime Oslo

Reviewed in the United States on December 26, 2020

In German occupied Oslo, art shop owner and art historian Soli Hansen and her resistance friends risk their lives on a mission to protect valuable paintings from being stolen by the Nazis.

The Other Cipher is book 2 in the Soli Hansen Mysteries series written and published by Heidi Eljarbo. The dual time plot is set in Oslo 1944 and Antwerp 1613. We follow art historian Soli Hansen and her resistance friends in their effort to keep Jewish owned art from being shipped to Gernany. Soli puts her life in danger to prevent the Nazis from stealing the valuable painting for Hitler’s planned museum in Austria. The underground deciphering group help decrypt secret messages which help her stay ahead of the Germans.

Main character, Soli, Hansen is the art shop owner and member of resistance. She is a shy, introvert who struggle to collect information the resistance needs. I feel she is a relatable and well put together character for a Norwegian woman of the 1940s.

Supporting character is Hedvig, Heddy, Vengen is the leader of the resistance group The Art Club. She seems idealistic, forceful and prepared to live a lonely life on the run from the Nazis for the duration of the war. She seems to struggle to find people to trust but really appreciates the good people around her, which is why she is my favorite of this story.

I feel the plot is captivating and entertaining, written in a down-to earth manner anyone can follow. I love that the story is based on, which I have not come across in any other historical before. The story easily reads as a standalone including the intriguing and unique art element. Readers of book 1, Of Darkness and Light, will recognize characters as well as get to know new ones. Continuing is Soli’s charming friendship (or relationship) with Detective Nikolai Lange and her fear of ruthless German Lieutenant Colonel Heinz Walter. Walter’s presence in the story makes an excellent dramatic element and I got a knot in my stomach every time he appeared. I enjoyed the surprising element of the disappeared young cryptographer and what he had discovered. This made a vital contribution to the progress of the plot. The tid-bits of information about life in war-time Oslo and the vibe of looming danger and uncertainty while in the process of finding and hiding the art, made the story come alive for me. They were my favorites, as I felt these parts were particularly well written.

Readers of historical fiction in general and WWII plots in particular, will enjoy this one. As will readers of Heidi Eljarbo’s previous works. Similar authors to explore might be Andrea Penrose or Mimi Matthews. Thank you to @heidieljarbo for this opportunity to share my honest review. All opinions are completely my own.

Conclusion: The Other Cipher is the captivating dual-time mystery about art historian Soli Hansen who collaborates with Norwegian resistance in a dangerous race to keep valuable art from being stolen by the Nazis. I am already looking forward to Soli’s next mystery in wartime Oslo.

2 people found this helpful

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desertviking

Mesmerizing !

Reviewed in the United States on December 25, 2020

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I had a hard time putting this book, just like Heidi’s other books. This book is steeped in historical details and its obvious Hilde has done some deep research. I anticipate the next book eagerly. Flott bok, Hilde.

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The Other Cipher (Soli Hansen Mysteries Book 2) Kindle Edition

Editorial Reviews

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Heidi Eljarbo

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