The Last Mona Lisa: A Novel

by Jonathan Santlofer

ONE OF PEOPLE MAGAZINE'S BEST BOOKS OF SUMMER!
"Unstoppable what-happens-next momentum."—Michael Connelly, #1 New York Times bestselling author
"A deliciously tense read."—Ruth Ware, #1 New York Times bestselling author
From award-winning crime writer and celebrated artist Jonathan Santlofer comes an enthralling tale about the 1911 theft of the Mona Lisa from the Louvre, the forgeries that appeared in its wake, and the present-day underbelly of the art world.
August, 1911: The Mona Lisa is stolen by Vincent Peruggia. Exactly what happens in the two years before its recovery is a mystery. Many replicas of the Mona Lisa exist, and more than one historian has wondered if the painting now returned to the Louvre is a fake, switched in 1911.
Present day: Art professor Luke Perrone digs for the truth behind his most famous ancestor: Peruggia. His search attracts an Interpol detective with something to prove and an unfamiliar but curiously helpful woman. Soon, Luke tumbles deep into the world of art and forgery, a land of obsession and danger.
The Last Mona Lisa is a suspenseful and seductive tale, perfect for fans of the Netflix documentaries This Is A Robbery and Made You Look and readers obsessed with the world of art heists and forgeries.

• ISBN10: 172824076X
• ISBN13: 9781728240763
• Publish Date: 17 September 2021 (first published 17 August 2021)
• Publish Status: Active
• Publish Country: US
• Publisher: Sourcebooks, Inc
• Imprint: Sourcebooks Landmark
• Format: Paperback (US Trade)
• Pages: 400
• Language: English

Reviews

[Quirky Cat]

The Last Mona Lisa, written by Jonathan Santlofer, is somehow everything and more than what I could have expected. This is a novel perfect for art lovers, as it merges historical fiction with elements of the truth.

Vincent Peruggia stole the Mona Lisa in 1911. This is not fiction but fact. Many people don't know about this moment in history, yet one art professor can't seem to let it go. This man is the descendant of Peruggia, and his love of art and history creates an obsession of sorts. Obsession for the truth and understanding.

Wow. I've read many art history novels in my days, but nothing quite like The Last Mona Lisa. This novel perfectly blends history with thriller elements, creating a shockingly captivating tale. I love how seamlessly Santlofer carried a component into the next and how intense the story became.

Then again, I'm fairly biased. I love this sort of story and feel like there isn't enough like it in the world. So naturally, I'm going to cherish what is out there. That includes The Last Mona Lisa, though even so, this book did manage to surprise me at several points.

That's the mark of good writing if you ask me. Regardless of your knowledge of art history – no matter if you knew about the long history of the Mona Lisa or not – this is a fun and informative book to dive into.

Thanks to Sourcebooks Landmark and #NetGalley for making this book available for review. All opinions expressed are my own.

Check out more reviews over at Quirky Cat's Fat Stacks