A cursed painting. A puzzling theft. A suspicious death.

Book Review:  The Black Painting by Neil Olson

Arthur Morse, an avid art collector, enjoyed the dark reputation of the painting hanging on his study wall but he seemed to fear it as well.  He kept his back to it and never allowed his grandchildren into the room. It was one of paintings produced by Francisco José de Goya at a time when the artist believed he was possessed by a demon; legend had it that anyone who looked at the painting would suffer madness or death.   After the painting is stolen and his young grandchildren are the crime's only witnesses, accusations fly and the family becomes estranged.

Several years later, the grandchildren, now adults, are summoned to their grandfather's house. Teresa finds her grandfather dead when she arrives, a look of terror on his face.  Once more, accusations and suspicions rise among the family members.  As the police investigate, Teresa and a P.I. investigate as well, uncovering long-buried family secrets.

As compelling as the premise is, this book simply didn't resonate with me.  It's a solid mystery with a supernatural, creepy atmosphere but there's something lacking with the character development that I just can't pinpoint.  Most of the characters are unlikable and the narrator is unreliable, but I loved Gone Girl and you don't get much more unlikable and unreliable than that. Meh.  Onto the next book.