How does the theft of a famous artist’s painting not get readers’ attention?
The dust jacket of Patterson and Roughan’s The Picasso Heist gives away nothing, although it suggests being a true story, or maybe it isn’t. After reading the book, I view that as tongue in cheek.
The Picasso Heist is a complicated story. CLICK HERE FOR AMAZON PAGE
Halston Graham is a young, attractive and brilliant woman, with only her brother Skip to lean on. Experienced in certain illegal ventures and knowledgeable about art, soon we find that they, especially Halston, are experts in manipulation and concocting the ultimate sting.
Twice authenticated, a previously unknown Picasso has been gathering dust in an attic. It has been valued at 100 million dollars. It is now up for sale.
Halston, who can wrap men around her little finger, meets with an infamous art collector, and an elaborate plan is hatched to steal the painting in broad daylight at no other place than a high stakes art auction. The scenario is no short of brilliant.
There are many players, steps, and layered deceptions necessary to make the heist a success, yet the execution is flawless.
As the pages turn, we learn that there is much more to the heist than meets the eye. Halston and her brother’s motivation is personal.
Putting their lives at stake, brushing elbows with dangerous mob bosses and a power-hungry attorney, once the heist is completed, the duo must succeed in several complicated deceptions before their true goal is realized.
I found The Picasso Heist sometimes exciting, and at other times, dry. The involvement of the Picasso was only a fraction of the story, although it set the stage and tied in with twists. Each led to another and another in an eclectic but connected mix, with writing that could make your head spin.
The siblings were brilliant and relentless. They always had another elaborate play in the wings.
The ultimate setup required several conned individuals who normally operate at the top of their games and often above the law to behave oh so predictably, and for many dangerous steps to occur flawlessly for all of the dominoes to fall precisely the way they were supposed to.
That seemed a bit too elaborate and unrealistic for me, but to give credit where credit is due, the premise and set ups were very clever. The Picasso Heist was certainly much more than a stolen painting.
At times I wondered just who was being stung.
With an excellent and intriguing premise, I looked forward to enjoying The Picasso Heist. Unfortunately, I can’t say that it was my favourite. Still, I’m sure that there are many more Pattersons and Roughans (or et al) in the works that I will read and sing their praises.
Joan Curran
The Picasso Heist
James Patterson and Howard Roughan
Little, Brown and Company 2025
400 pages
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