Larry Witham

This was my lunch break book - the book I read over lunch. As a result, I spent a number of months on it, and there is a very good chance that this style of reading has affected my review.

I found the book about Piero interesting, an artist I don't know anything about. Unfortunately, there just isn't a whole lot that is known about him - conjectures can be made based on style, or intact receipts of who paid what when, but over all, there is too much padding about his life, and I found a lot of things repeated.

The second third is about how Piero came to be re-found in the modern world- he was considered a second rate artist until the Victorians realized just how amazing his paintings are, and brought him to to the ranks of master painter. It was interesting, but a bit dry.

The last section is about Pieoro's color theories and how it fits with the modern world, psychologists, physicists, and logicians are brought in. However, the author stretched this part to say more than was really there - you can theorize and infer, but there just isn't enough information to be able to make these theories substantial.

And last, my biggest issue with this book - is that there are color plates of paintings in this book, near the middle. That is good - it shows what Piero is painting, and how he was imitated (maybe). But, there are no connections from the narrative to the plates. This made it difficult to figure out what the author was describing, and figuring out if a referenced painting is still in existence.

Overall, an over written biography of an artist, but I'm happy to have read it.… (mehr)

This is a solid art mystery with a well-developed plot involving looted Nazi artwork, art-related cyber crime, many forgeries, and the Russian mafia. The work done by the Monuments Men during WWII, how their ‘collection points’ worked and the rivalries between English and American experts provides part of the backstory. Gallery Pieces moves along at a relatively fast pace, but I wouldn’t label this book a thriller by any means. There are enough suspicious characters and red herrings present to keep the reader guessing until the end and make it a true mystery. The author’s own interest in painting also comes through via the main character, who dabbles in oils. The only negative point I have is that the book just kind of ends, with most of the mystery unraveled but not necessarily wrapped up. But it’s satisfying enough to feel like you’ve gotten resolution, as a reader.… (mehr)

An intelligent and complex mystery set in the highbrow art world. Anyone with an interest in history, art and the mystery genre will find themselves engrossed in this fascinating tale involving art fraud and organised crime.

The author, Larry Witham, expertly guides the reader through the complexities of the art world and introduces us to the various players involved in the art scene. The investigation takes many twists and turns involving various dangerous and mysterious characters.

The crux of the story is the origins of the stolen art and the part played by the monuments men, one of whom was Peale's grandfather, in the retrieval of looted art from the Nazis and their ultimate fate once they reached America. In order to put the puzzle pieces together, Julian Peale has to investigate the involvement of the Russian mob, hipsters, hackers, art collectors, sellers and old friends.

I was impressed by the wealth of knowledge the author has in his subject material. In a book of this kind, where the author is so knowledgeable, there is the danger of slowing the pace with the minutiae of art theory and historical detail but Larry Witham manages to avoid this pitfall. He expertly balances the mix between fact and fiction and just gives the right amount of information to complement the plot. It certainly whetted my interest in learning more about art crime and the work of art experts who are trained to spot works of art looted during WWII.

I highly recommend this excellent, fast paced mystery. It won't fail to interest and entertain.

I received a copy in exchange for an honest review.… (mehr)