I had to dnf at like 60%. I couldn’t read another chapter, y’all.

Nothing spectacular. Good if you want something mindless to read.

Really, I'd probably give this 3.5 stars, though I'm a bit harsh as a general rule. It's definitely worth reading, but wasn't especially deep. That being said, I really enjoyed it, and would recommend it. It's interesting, and well written, though I was somewhat disappointed with the lack of development of some of the characters in the end. Still, a pleasant look at art and ethics in the modern world.

3.5***

Claire Roth is an aspiring artist who is making a living (just) by painting reproductions of old masters. And then she’s approached with an opportunity she cannot resist. A Degas painting is delivered to her studio, along with all the tools she’ll need to reproduce it … well, to actually forge the painting. In return she’ll not only be paid handsomely, but she’ll get her own show at Boston’s most prestigious gallery. But as she begins to study the original in preparation for painting the forgery, she makes a startling discovery.

Set against the backdrop of the infamous art theft at the Isabella Stewart Garner Museum in Boston – still the largest unsolved art heist in history – this is a marvelously intricate story. My feelings about Claire kept changing as I learned more of her backstory, and saw how vulnerable she was to being manipulated by unscrupulous men in a position of power. And then again, how could she be so stupid?!

Despite wanting to slap Claire silly a few times, I was engaged from beginning to end and Shapiro kept me turning pages to see what would happen next.

I really enjoyed this and flew through it between listening to the well-narrated audiobook and reading the Kindle version. Based on just a bit of fact, the story is well-told and mysterious, though not in a whodunit sort of way. Just enough is given away at a time to make it flow well, but keep you guessing what's going to happen next and how it's all going to turn out. Best book I've read in a while.

This book was excellent. The authors voice and style reminds me quite a bit of the woman who did The Historian. Some predictable outcomes, but also some surprising twists. Ending might have been a bit TOO predictable, but loved the journey to get there. Would highly reccomend.

I think she got the (main character Claire Roth) typical artist's neurotic personality down pat.

A writer friend once told me that when she walks into a library anywhere in the world, the smell makes her feel instantly at home.

It takes my mind a moment to catch up with my body, and I realize I'm feeling dread.

If Rik were around he'd say 'I'm getting old here.'

Six weeks is a long time. It's long enough to develop headaches, insomnia, digestive issues, fear of success, fear of failure, fear of fear itself, and a host of other psychological problems. I managed to acquire every one, and a few others, while I waited for the verdict from Karen Sinsheimer. Self-diagnosed, of course. By the time she called, I was a complete wreck.

Now that I'm on the inside, out of view of the millions of people who could care less about the absence of presence of my soul, I feel somewhat better.

No insecurity too obscure.

It's been quite a while since I wielded a sponge, and the combination of strong coffee and my need for closure drive me into uncharacteristic tidiness.

I shall remind you, sir, that I am in the process of accomplishing many things. Most of which I see no man doing at all.

We can only talk about the bad forgeries, the ones that have been detected. The good ones are still hanging on museum walls.