This title really had it all! Secrets, murder, scandal, revenge and high stakes! Margaux and Jules were such intriguing characters and I was hooked from beginning to end. A fantastic read, highly recommended. Thank you NetGalley and the authors for the gifted copy!

This novel has it all: intrigue, romance, suspense, history and family. I loved this novel and the story of the painting "Woman on Fire" that went missing during WWII. Margaux de Laurent is a chilling and frightening sociopath; a villain I won't forget. The story is rich, the characters well-developed and the narrative marches along and keeps the reader rapidly turning pages. This was an impressive book that ties in journalism and the search for truth with a dark time in history and overlapping family stories. I highly recommend it!

Very cool topic and interesting cover. Unfortunately the writing style was not a good fit for me, and I was unable to get through this one. Love books about art though!

After the initial pages, I found myself not connecting with the story or characters, so I decided to pass on this book. Did not finish

The author has done a superb job of bringing history to life. The book centered around locating stolen and confiscated artwork by the Nazis and returning them to their rightful owners.
It can be added to the historical fiction category but is still so relevant to present-day issues , as this specific subject seems to surface in the news periodically.
Not only did the plot provide insight into the mentality of confiscating artwork but it also provided a peek into the world of art., It was reminiscent of the famous "Woman in Gold" painting and controversy.. Besides the historical aspects the story was a thriller. The excitement was constant and the pace never seemed to let up.
It was a love story, in many aspects. There was a romantic angle between the main characters, an artist and journalist, love of family, and love of art. It was a complex story with fascinating human touches and always exhilarating.

Woman on Fire is part historical fiction and part Mystery/Thriller. The title refers to a painting that was taken by the Nazis as they plundered Europe.

The woman in the painting is the mother of Ellis Baum, a man who went from the streets when he was orphaned to a shoe designer known worldwide. He desperately wants the painting back now that there is a hint that it may be found. He enlists a journalist and his protégé Jules Roth to investigate. Jules is a very young, very determined woman who sometimes doesn't follow the rules.

There is great art, journalism, high-level shoe design, romance, family ties and yes, a psychopath. The description could sound a little convoluted by Lisa Barr does a great job of keeping the characters melded together. The combination of the horror during the Nazi reign and the current mystery worked very well.

Thanks to NetGalley for the copy.

Fans of the movie, Woman in Gold, will absolutely love this novel from Lisa Barr. This historical fiction novel has great pacing and you will not want to put it down. Set in Chicago, an upcoming journalist agrees to a very secret assignment that takes her back over 75 years ago when a painting was stolen by Nazis. This novel highlights the greed and destructive cruelty of war, while also weaving a story of triumphant love.

Unlike many historical fiction novels, Woman on Fire is insanely fast-paced with Jules in pursuit of recovering this painting for her client before his imminent passing. Suspenseful and mysterious, Woman on Fire reads like an action movie. Barr's attention to detail will have you sure that this is a true story.

Loved this glimpse into the art world and the element of suspense woven into this story. This book was a great blend of historical fiction and mystery.

After talking her way into a job with Dan Mansfield, the leading investigative reporter in Chicago, rising young journalist Jules Roth is given an unusual—and very secret—assignment. Dan needs her to locate a painting stolen by the Nazis more than 75 years earlier: legendary Expressionist artist Ernst Engel’s most famous work, Woman on Fire. World-renowned shoe designer Ellis Baum wants this portrait of a beautiful, mysterious woman for deeply personal reasons, and has enlisted Dan’s help to find it. But Jules doesn’t have much time; the famous designer is dying.

Meanwhile, in Europe, provocative and powerful Margaux de Laurent also searches for the painting. Heir to her art collector family’s millions, Margaux is a cunning gallerist who gets everything she wants. The only thing standing in her way is Jules. Yet the passionate and determined Jules has unexpected resources of her own, including Adam Baum, Ellis’s grandson. A recovering addict and brilliant artist in his own right, Adam was once in Margaux’s clutches. He knows how ruthless she is, and he’ll do anything to help Jules locate the painting before Margaux gets to it first.

A thrilling tale of secrets, love, and sacrifice that illuminates the destructive cruelty of war and greed and the triumphant power of beauty and love, Woman on Fire tells the story of a remarkable woman and an exquisite work of art that burns bright, moving through hands, hearts, and history.

An art mystery with a little bit of a history lesson. This book grabbed me and held my interest, I started it and finished it in one day! I don’t think WOMAN ON FIRE is getting as much attention as it deserves. ⁣Go read it and jump in my DMs on your thoughts!
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Sharon Stone has optioned the rights to WOMAN ON FIRE, it will make a great film! I’ll definitely watch!

Lisa Barr's "Woman on Fire" is An art thriller, centered on a search for Expressionist artist Ernst Engel's brilliant painting, looted by the Nazis.

The lead in the story is lovely young wannabe journalist, Jules Roth, who talks her way into working for the investigative reporter who is intent on finding the masterpiece.

Margaux de Laurent, femme fatale (and criminal mastermind of the novel, is also obsessed with recovering the painting and will mow down all who stand in her way.

A stream of violence runs through the story and steadily escalates.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the early copy of this book.

This was an interesting premise but the story really did not grab me. I gave up on it at 30%

This book may be historical fiction, but it couldn’t be more relevant to today when we are hearing and seeing the news of Ukranian artists and librarians rushing to save important historic works of art, culture, and history from destruction and/or being seized by the Russians in the current war overseas. It is truly heartbreaking to see history repeat itself and see echoes of the past now in the present yet again. While I was reading this book, not only did that news capture my attention, but also a recent story of proven Nazi looted pieces of art and tapestry being displayed and showcased at the newly reopened Burrell Gallery in Glasgow. History’s eyes are ever present staring upon us. Lisa has revealed that her stories are always based and founded on a news story, this one being based on a event centered around a ‘Munich Art Hoard’ very reminiscent along the storyline in WOMAN ON FIRE. The authenticity of the stark truth and news combined with Lisa’s own familial reverent and important connections to the Holocaust with being a daughter of a Holocaust survivor come together in her latest bestselling release resulting in such a gripping, powerful, and brilliant novel that I can’t wait for readers to discover it!!

This was an insightful glimpse into the art world (something I know nothing of) and although I'd heard of the Nazi stolen art during WWII, this gave a better insight into that part of history.
There were many players in the story, and I even felt sorry (a tiny bit) for the villian, Margaux, at times. If you enjoy historical fiction like I do, and enjoy a good suspense thriller of cat and mouse placed in the art world, this is the book for you. Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me a copy of this interesting story.

I was honestly hesitant to read this novel, just based on the synopsis. I was worried that it was a topic that had been done before. However, Lisa Barr went above and beyond my expectations and I'm so glad Jenny at Book Coffee Happy gave me that extra nudge to read it right away.

This story was really well told throughout with interesting characters and plotlines. I actually felt sympathy toward the villain at times! I never knew what was going to happen next, even with the prologue giving away something for later in the story. I was constantly on my toes and surprised the entire time. I was cheering Jules on while also really nervous for her! I used to read The Nancy Drew Files series when I was growing up (a modernized version of Nancy Drew books) and this novel reminded me of them with the element of danger that was involved and the way everyone went about solving the mystery.

The mystery of the painting held me captive the whole time. I loved seeing all the research come into play and all the places this story took me to. Paris is featured often, as well as Chicago, Manhattan, Miami, Amsterdam, and Germany.

I only had two minor concerns. Sometimes it could get confusing in regards to who had the art piece and when all the transactions were taking place. Also, some scenes were pretty racy and could easily make someone uncomfortable if they're not prepared. (They didn't bother me, but this is just a fair warning.) Neither issue detracted from my overall enjoyment of this fantastic suspense novel.

If you haven't had a chance to get to Woman on Fire yet (or you were hesitant like I was), definitely add it to your TBR right away! You will not be disappointed in the slightest.

I heard this novel was already optioned for film and I have some casting ideas to share (anyone have Hollywood connections here?):
Jules: Maude Apatow
Margaux: Gal Gadot
Adam: Ben Schnetzer
Ellis: Victor Garber
Elizabeth (Jules's mom): Tamara Braun
Dan: Peter Gallagher

Lisa Barr can do no wrong! From The Unbreakables to Woman on Fire, this author has such a way with words and her books are amazing no matter the topic!

I read this book in preparation for an interview I produced with the author on A Mighty Blaze. I thought it was fantastic. I couldn't put it down. I loved the mystery of the stolen/missing painting and the way history was woven together with action and suspense. I have already recommended it to many people.

Why haven’t I read Lisa Barr before? I requested to read “Woman on Fire” because I was intrigued by the premise and I am a lover of historical fiction. Jules, a journalist, is hired to find a stolen painting called “Woman on Fire,” which was painted by a Jewish artist and stolen by Nazis. Her boss, Dan, wishes her to find it for his friend, Ellis, who wants the painting because of personal ties to it. Yet, also searching for the painting is Margaux who wishes to have it for more nefarious reasons.

I thought the novel was well researched as well as well-paced. She also captured the voices of the different characters and deftly handed the different timelines. While this novel is poised as a thriller, it still honors the lives lost to the Holocaust.

Thank you Ms. Barr, Netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to give this an early read.

Woman on Fire was my first Lisa Barr novel, but it certainly won't be my last! The gripping plot combines the grit of investigative journalism, the glamour of fashion design, and the glittering world of fine art, then adds plenty of family drama and WWII crimes. It's the perfect blend of historical fiction, mystery, and thriller.

Barr creates two very memorable woman main characters - one I cheered for and one I loved to hate. And her descriptions are so vivid, I could see the various settings and the titular painting in my mind's eye. I'll be first in line to buy tickets to the film made from adapting this novel. How fun to ponder actors to play key characters.

Thank you to Harper and NetGalley for the review copy.

What a terrific genre mashup! This fiction book is part thriller and part historical fiction creating an unforgettable story!

Jules, our young and ambitious journalist, helps investigate stolen art by the Nazis nearly 75 years ago, especially one painting in particular, Woman On Fire. However, a renowned gallery owner who never plays fair, Margaux, wants Woman On Fire for her collection since the painting was her Grandfather’s favorite. It’s a race against time who can retrieve the painting first.

Woman On Fire packs a punch with its portrayal of the art world's underbelly. Here, the world is laced with sex, drugs, deceit, and revenge. Every twist and turn cleverly plots the depths of the family secrets and the entangled art history. I couldn’t help but root for Jules as she makes one gutsy and dangerous move after another in her quest to uncover the truth. Terrific page-turner!

I thought this book had a really interesting premise, however I couldn't quite get behind the characters in the story as much as I wanted to. I had a hard time believing some of the connections the MC made when solving the crimes, so I think that made it a bit more difficult to get into it for me.