An interesting novel covering prehistory, WW2 and current times. An excellent story creating a vivid and coherent mystery tapestry from relevant skeins of history. And a wonderful precursor to the Chief Bruno mystery series set in modern times. ( )

The book was fine. The characters were interesting. The plot was very good and the three stories held together well. It was it's best when the caves came in. I think that the story set in the pre-history was really contrived. I know that we know little about the people who captured their world in their paints to leave them forever grazing the walls of granite. But I didn't care for them. I don't know why. Probably just my own biases and since I liked everything else about the book; it's probably a worthwhile read. ( )

Martin Walkers früher Roman über die Entstehung einer prähistorischen Höhlenzeichnung, deren Verwicklung in blutige Kriege und Intrigen und den erbitterten Kampf von fünf Menschen, sie heute zu besitzen. Denn wer sie findet, erhält den Schlüssel zur Aufklärung eines Verbrechens, das bis in die höchste Politik reicht und von dem bis heute keiner wissen darf.

Ein Fragment einer Höhlenzeichnung, vermutlich aus den Höhlen des Perigord taucht in London auf. Die Recherche nach seiner Herkunft fördert zugleich ein Stück prähistorischer Geschichte und eine bislang unaufgeklärte Episode aus der Zeit der Résistance zutage.

Das Buch wird auf drei Zeitebenen erzählt: Die Entstehungsgeschichte der Höhlenzeichnung, die Geschichte der Résistance im Perigord im Kontext des alliierten Landung in der Normandie sowie die Gegenwart.

Trotzdem ist das Buch lähmend konventionell und psychologisch so einfältig geschrieben wie bei Ken Follett oder Sebastian Fitzek. Mich hat die Geschichte kalt gelassen, und ich war froh, als ich das Buch endlich fertig gelesen aus der Hand legen konnte ( )

Tough to pick shelves for this book: it has several timelines/plot lines, and so a protagonist for each; the times are current, WW2, and pre-history all dealing with the same area of France. There is a mystery - several really - but the main focus to the book is the art.
I have always wanted to see the parietal art of southern France. This book deals with that area and the caves, brings in thoughts of yet-unknown art from un (re) discovered caves. The story begins in current times, when the son of a WW2 vet asks for an assessment of a piece of art, obviously cave art, possessing such is now a crime, so many questions needed answering.
This leads to asking experts, a visit to the Dordogne region, and introduces the pre-stories. One is 15,000 years BCE, when the art was created, the other during 1943-44, when UK & American governments assisted the French Resistance fighters.
I enjoyed it (again, a fan of the art), and would recommend it to those looking for a slightly different, non-formulaic novel. ( )