Author: Noah Charney
ISBN: 978-1-4165-5030-3
Publishers: Atria Books

The Art Thief is a wonderfully written book from first time author Noah Charney, who appears to be the perfect individual to write just such an erudite art mystery. Charney is an art historian who specializes in art theft, and his command of the subject is apparent on every page of this captivating novel. This incredible story combines the finest of character drawings, insight into the world of art auctions and museums, and a thrilling tale that keeps readers guessing until the end.

The story comes to life when three different and seemingly unconnected art thefts occur. The first is at a church in Italy, the country with the most art thefts yearly (we learn from Charney). The next occurs at a private foundation in Paris specializing in modern art. Finally, the last is the theft of a recent acquisition at auction by a London museum, which has been planned to be the centerpiece of an upcoming exhibition.

Throughout the novel, readers effortlessly become enmeshed in the world of art auctions, the security systems that protect these treasures (and their vulnerabilities), law enforcement efforts to track down criminals, and the provenance of art works, as well as many more interesting facets of the art world. There are also many surprising facts about art theft entwined in the storytelling. And, unlike many criminal enterprises, art theft really does pay for those who manage to make a successful heist. This is a crime of collectors entrenched in the art world, as well as of organized criminal enterprises.

Beyond the fascinating world of art that readers are exposed to in "The Art Thief," however, is an engaging mystery of these intertwined thefts. Nobody is exactly who they appear to be, and apparent intentions can be misleading. This is edge-of-your-seat reading and will appeal to anyone who loves a good mystery. The characters presented are well developed personalities (particularly the quirky law enforcement officials in the three countries), whom readers comes to enjoy and rally around.

This extraordinary novel is a must-read not only for art lovers, but for anyone who likes a good hunt for the truth behind the mystery. The trail of forgeries, overpainted artwork, and baffling puzzles leads to great fun for anyone who loves a surprising ending and a well told tale.

The above review was contributed by: Christine Zibas. Christine has spent all of her life in love with books, and most of her life working with words. She has a B.A. in Political Science from Western Illinois University and did advanced studies in politics and publishing at WIU, Oxford University, George Washington University, and Stanford. 

For many years Christine was an editor in the think tank world, editing books and reports on international relations and military studies. She worked at the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington, D.C. and the Johns Hopkins Foreign Policy Institute, where she served as director of publications. In London she was the editor at the International Institute for Strategic Studies.