The Gypsy Madonna by Santa Montefiore

Mischa discovers on his mother's death that she had possession of a valuable painting. In order to solve the mystery of why, he returns to France, the country of his childhood and recalls those often turbulent and disturbing times. This part of the book is written with great sensitivity but the tone and mood changes when he reaches mid-teenage years, almost as if penned by a different writer.
The conclusion is a little disappointing and I do not think I have read a better book than the author's 'Meet me under the ombu tree'. However, this is still a very enjoyable read and a pleasant change of subject matter