This week I read The Art Forger by B. A. Shapiro. This book has it all: suspense, romance, a historical mystery, art, and the heartbreaking tale of a real-life historical art heist. Whew! I highly recommend you read this one, and it is on the Indie Bound Most Wished For List. :D
Early on March 18, 1990, two thieves disguised as police officers tied-up two guards at the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum in Boston and stole thirteen works of art with an estimated value of 500 million dollars. In spite of a five million dollar reward for any information concerning the heist, not one of the works has been recovered. This was truly a tragic day in art history.
Sadly, the evil thieves stole a Vermeer.
The Concert c.1664
Claire Roth is a young artist who has a shady past. Talented beyond belief with an MFA after her name, she can't get a show at any of the trendy Boston galleries because she has been blacklisted. She has taken a job with reproductions.com making a small living painting high-quality reproductions of masterpieces. Enter Aiden Markel, owner of the renowned gallery Markel G. Aiden brings one of the stolen paintings from the Gardner Museum to Claire's studio, and gives her an offer she can't refuse: paint a copy in exchange for a private show at Markel G. Claire immediately suspects that the painting (a Degas) is indeed a forgery rather than the original, but she keeps this information from Aiden. The plot from this point on has many twists and turns, and I found it difficult to put the book down! I especially loved learning about the intricate process of painting a forgery that would fool the experts. I also enjoyed the history (and fiction) about Degas and infamous forgers.
B.A. Shapiro on The Art Forger
This is a fantastic three minute video on how the Gardner heist inspired her to write this fantastic book.
What have you been reading lately? Link-up and share!
Until next time...
Blessings!
Ricki Jill
This one sounds fabulous! Right up my art loving alley! Only thing missing is the romance line, think I'll be okay without it? I am going to add this to my maybe pile but boy does it have me intreaged!
ReplyDeleteGreat share
Hugs
Caroline
Good reading my friend,have a blessed weekend.
ReplyDelete~Jo @ LoblollyLane
Hi Ricki Jill~ Another book to add to my TBR list! I hope to have a chance to catch up on my reading during the holidays and in January! Thanks for the review :)
ReplyDeleteThis one sounds interesting....based on a real theft??
ReplyDeleteYay for a good book (finally)! Thanks for the recommendation. :)
Mine is great for zombie fans, but quite suspenseful....I stayed up all night to finish it.