Ultima

Let’s go back to April last year when I posted my thoughts on DOMINA, where I finished with:

I CANNOT wait for the third (and final) in the series… bring on next year!

And here we are, a year later, and Wow. Oh Wow. oh WOW. Like any fine piece of art, the final touches are the most important, they can make or break the success of the painting – it’s the artist’s crowning moment. Books, to me, are a piece of fine art – they tug at your emotions and leave a lasting impression like any painting or sculpture. Ultima is the ultimate finale (excuse the pun) in Hilton’s three part series that follows Judith Rasleigh.

Hilton has created a masterpiece.

This series won’t be for everyone as it’s quite explicit sexually and brutally, but for me – it’s been a guilty pleasure for the past few years. Hilton’s writing style is so endearing, I just can’t help but read on page after page after page…

Da Silva has finally caught Judith and it’s time for her to pay for what she’s done. Except being a corrupt police detective means jail time isn’t Da Silva’s style, Judith’s crimes must be repaid in a different way. Da Silva has found himself owing serious money to a Russian Mafia boss, 100 million in fact, and Judith is tasked with organising a fake masterpiece that can clear his debts.

Judith must once again take up her identity as Elisabeth Teerlinc; international art-dealer, and create a provenance that will lull billionaires into parting with their cash for a piece of art painted by a very talented Chinese con artist.

It’s either that or be killed.

Every move Judith makes is calculated and you can’t help but be in awe of this daring plot.

I also loved the addition of Pandora as a character, I felt this was a really nice touch and a nod to Judith’s humble beginnings in the art world.

Yes this book has brutal murders in it. Yes it has some rather dark sexual scenes. But there is so much more to this plot than those two labels. If you are willing to give it a go, you will be absorbed by a very slick and clever plot that will have you questioning artwork in museums…

Fellow bookworms, anyone else read any in this series – Maestra, Domina and now Ultima? Let me know your thoughts in the comment box below!

*Huge thanks to Emily Burns for sending me a copy – super grateful!!!*

Until next time, Chloé x