THE ART THIEF
Noah Charney
Washington Square Press
Thriller
Hardcover: 1416550305
Paperback: 9781416550310

When a valuable Caravaggio altar piece disappears from a small church in Rome in a daring break-in, it is one of many art thefts reported each month to the overworked Italian police. Italy, a country virtually brimming with priceless art in all its forms, is ripe for the picking in the lucrative world of art crime. 
 
Meanwhile, a rare Malevich painting is auctioned for $6.3 million to the London National Gallery of Modern Art. A Malevich expert suspects it is a forgery because she knows it to be secured in a Paris vault, but when she checks the vault she finds it missing. She is still suspicious of its authenticity because the famous white-on-white study could be easily forged due to its simplicity. The quandary arises of whether to expose its possible forgery, thereby embarrassing a major world museum and its cadre of art experts. But even that problem becomes moot when, within hours of its delivery to the National Gallery, the Malevich, genuine or not, is stolen in a daring midnight heist. 
 
Now the shell game begins. First you see it, then you don’t; now you know which is the genuine article, and then it’s proven to be rubbish. Or is it?  
 
Gabriel Coffin, world-renowned art expert, is called in to investigate the apparently unrelated burglaries that involve detectives from three nations. He in turn calls upon colleagues in the field of fine art to help trace the missing articles, worth millions to collectors and the criminal masterminds who pride themselves on their own high art form --- commissioned theft and forgery. Engaged in the hunt are two Parisian detectives who sometimes seem more interested in feeding their gourmand appetites than pursuing criminals. A relentless Scotland Yard inspector with no knowledge of art but as an expert in human nature has never failed to run his prey to the ground. 
 
Author Noah Charney is an expert on art crime and the founding director of a consulting group on art crime prevention and solution. Art crime is considered high class, prestigious and intriguing. Wealthy collectors will pay huge sums to commission expert thieves to steal or even commit forgery of priceless masterpieces to add to their private collections. Less well-known pieces are stolen for lucrative resale to collectors in all parts of the world. It is the only form of offense where the public tends to cheer for the criminals --- the more adventurous and daring the caper, the higher the admiration.
 
Gabriel Coffin says: “But then, the public was not aware of how art crime funded more sinister activities, such as the drug and arms trades, and even terrorists. The average citizen felt somewhat detached, and sometimes threatened, by fine art. It was considered elite and evasive, beyond their mental capacities, and therefore frightening to many. It was with some satisfaction that the public read about gracefully orchestrated art thefts. It was a combination of voyeurism into a glamorous world apart, and a satisfying jab at an institution that felt exclusive.”
 
THE ART THIEF is more about the chase and less about the crime. Charney does not abuse his platform to preach about the criminal aspects, and the reader will be rewarded by learning a great deal about art history, especially iconic art. 
 
The shell game continues to the very end. Who are the thieves, and who are the investigators? THE ART THIEF is a riddle wrapped in a mystery inside an enigma.

   --- Reviewed by Roz Shea

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