- Paperback
- Publisher: HarperCollins Canada / Harper Trade
- ISBN-10: 0060993332
- ISBN-13: 978-0060993337
- Product Dimensions: 22.9 x 15.7 x 2.3 cm
- Shipping Weight: 431 g
- Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (1 customer review)
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Product Details |
Product Description
From Publishers Weekly
Tension builds with the force and speed of a high-ticket auction in Ramus's gem of a first novel, as an art dealer's greed and a brutal murder spark a scavenger hunt through the back rooms of Manhattan's elite galleries in a frantic bid to evade Yakuza retribution. Narrator Adrian Sellars and his partner, Steven Ballard, are making enough to keep Adrian in heroin and Steve in the good life by selling admittedly forged Old Masters to Yakuza power thug Ryuichi Tanaka-until Adrian finds their master forger brutally murdered by thieves in his TriBeCa loft. Panicked, Adrian spills all (including a plan to return Tanaka's hefty deposit since the forger's death precludes delivery of a sham Monet) to his heroin supplier and lover, Marta Batista, which turns out to be a big, big mistake. The Yakuza, expecting fulfillment of a contract, force a meeting at which the partners present their case. But Tanaka insists on a Monet, threatens Adrian's family and kills Steven to emphasize the point. Adrian soon hits bottom and breaks down at the apartment of his assistant, Devon Berenson, who allows him to stay with her to withdraw from heroin in order to better deal with the crisis. Romance follows in short order, as do further complications and twists, until the swift action climbs to a brutal peak at an auction at Christie's and a nearby East Side townhouse. Despite a penchant for stock characters(the evil Marta, who's beautiful; the good Devon, who's not quite; the obviously villainous Yakuza) Ramus, himself a former heroin addict and art dealer, proves himself a wizard of a storyteller, presenting his action scenes with a sure hand while setting New York's glittery art scene against a realistically rendered cityscape. This is smart, savvy entertainment, a crime novel to savor. 125,000 first printing; $200,000 ad/promo; BOMC alternate selection; simultaneous audio from HarperAudio; foreign rights sold in 13 countries; author tour.
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
From Booklist
Who is David Ramus and how did he sell this, his first novel (his first published writing of any kind), for $1 million? Ramus was a high-stakes art dealer during the volatile 1980s when art became as hip a commodity as junk bonds and narcotics. When the whole inflated scene self-destructed, Ramus was left in dire straits: his debts were enormous; he was the subject of a federal investigation; and he was addicted to heroin. These alarming experiences lie at the heart of his slick and readable tale of corruption, revenge, and redemption in the New York art world. Adrian Sellars is a brash young dealer with a lucrative scam, selling perfect forgeries of paintings by such masters as Monet. He earns enough money to run a seemingly legitimate and lavishly appointed gallery and to support his drug habit. Life is good until his forger is brutally murdered the night before he's scheduled to deliver a very important painting to Adrian for sale to a demanding Japanese businessman. The action takes off along typical thriller lines. There's a love interest and plenty of scheming, double-crossing, dumb luck, close calls, and gratuitous violence. True, Ramus does turn some nice phrases when he writes about painting, but aside from a touch of class and a likable enough hero, this is pretty standard fare. The publisher, however, believes otherwise and has planned a hefty first printing and an all-out publicity push, so there will be a demand. Donna Seaman
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
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Customer Reviews
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Most helpful customer reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
An extrodinary novel,
By ilya kuznetsov (commerce, MI) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Thief of Light (Hardcover)
"Thief of Light" is a book about the real world. A world filled with drugs and crime where people are willing to kill others for money. The main character Adrian Sellers is vividly portrayed by Ramus and the entire cast of characters are nicely done by Ramus. I could see the characters come to life in front of my eyes. The setting was set against the background of the worst part of New York City. This is a very interesting setting and really gives the book the edge over others of the genre. Adrian Sellers, the main character, is very well portrayed because he is based on the author, David Ramus. I really enjoyed reading this book and liked the style of writing that David Ramus used. It had a dark tone and mood to it and really immersed you in the world. I can not really relate to the book but that didn't stop me from enjoying it thoroughly. It is a joy to read and a real page-turner. I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys to read.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews on Amazon.com (beta) Amazon.com:
3.9 out of 5 stars (10 customer reviews) 1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
An extrodinary novel,
By ilya kuznetsov - Published on Amazon.com
This review is from: Thief of Light (Hardcover)
"Thief of Light" is a book about the real world. A world filled with drugs and crime where people are willing to kill others for money. The main character Adrian Sellers is vividly portrayed by Ramus and the entire cast of characters are nicely done by Ramus. I could see the characters come to life in front of my eyes. The setting was set against the background of the worst part of New York City. This is a very interesting setting and really gives the book the edge over others of the genre. Adrian Sellers, the main character, is very well portrayed because he is based on the author, David Ramus. I really enjoyed reading this book and liked the style of writing that David Ramus used. It had a dark tone and mood to it and really immersed you in the world. I can not really relate to the book but that didn't stop me from enjoying it thoroughly. It is a joy to read and a real page-turner. I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys to read.
3 of 4 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
Fast,exciting,smooth flow,
By A Customer - Published on Amazon.com
This review is from: Thief of Light (Mass Market Paperback)
I was simpley amazed at the writting of this 1st. time author, that I came on line to see if he has done others. I am anxious to read his other works to see if this was a fluke are if David can realy write. When I started this book only maybe into the 1st to 3rd. chapter Dean Kontz New novel came out. I had to rush out to get it immediately. To my own amazment,I went onto finish the Thief of Light first.
5.0 out of 5 stars
Swift, sure writing that immerses you in a fascinating world,
By chrisb@twbg.com - Published on Amazon.com
This review is from: Thief of Light (Mass Market Paperback)
Ramus' first novel is a treasure, a beautifully written story of a surprisingly likeable character caught in a horrifying situation. The plot is gripping, the pace perfectly swift. If anything slows you down it's the desire to go back and read certain paragraphs a second or third time. The "insider" information about the art world is tied tightly into the plot. There are phrases and sentences that describe paintings so vividly you'd almost rather read about them than see them for yourself. This man will never be one of those "book-a-year" writers -- his standards are too high. I have no doubt that his next will be well-worth the wait.
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