From Publishers Weekly
The third art theft caper from Skeggs ( The Estuary Pilgrim ; The Talinin Madonna ) features a roller-coaster plot, a wealth of painting lore and an especially lovable rogue. A Titian masterpiece loaned to London's Royal Academy is stolen and a ransom of 5 million demanded of its insurers. The theft draws together two strangers: Tom Shaugnessy, a master forger, is offered 1 million to duplicate the painting; TV journalist Patricia Drew hopes to build a career-saving program from it. Tom's preparation work brings him into contact with Patricia as she researches the painting's history and the two develop a wary relationship, in which each remains uncertain of the other's intentions and morality. Readers likewise are kept guessing about the forgery's purpose. Patricia is beautiful and plucky, while rough-hewn Tom is a charmer with the wiles of a fox, a gentle heart and a hidden agenda motivating nearly every action. A rapidly unfolding plot twists through exotic locales and ends with guns blazing.
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc.
From Kirkus Reviews
Of all the people queuing up to see Titian's Triumph of Bacchus--now on loan to the Royal Academy and insured by Trevelayan's insurance syndicate--none were more respectful of it than the men who lifted it, then demanded five million pounds' worth of uncut diamonds for its return. Pretty telly journalist Patricia Drew plans a special on the art theft, culminating, she hopes, with a splashy capture of the villains. Meanwhile, former Christie's employee Tom Shaughnessy has also sprung into action: He plans on forging Bacchus, evading the ransomers, duping the cops, and coming away with a fortune. From then on it's one twist after another, as Patricia searches for the truth, Tom leads her astray, and the two finally pool their skills and outwit the real culprits on an icy alpine slope. Art-crimes specialist Skeggs (The Talinin Madonna, 1992, etc.) is at his best describing how to forge an Old Master, and on less sure footing with derring-do in back alleys, etc. Tom and his irascible artist pal Scobie, however, are great fun to watch at work. --
Copyright ©1993, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved.
