Hello, I’m Laurel Beacham, and with a job title of Art Recovery Expert and head of the London office of a venerable American art foundation, I’m not one for math and science theory. I leave that kind of hocus pocus for Nico, the gorgeous geek on my team. No, I’m more an arts and humanities girl, myself. However, I must admit the old rule about every action yielding an equal—and definitely opposite—reaction held true in my latest venture into art reclamation.
In other words, no good theft goes unpunished.
I probably should add here that I only steal things that have already been stolen. To return them to the rightful owner. Which is exactly what Nico and I were doing when we made a quick trip to France on a midnight foray. Thank goodness my climbing skills didn’t fail me.
When I made it back to London, I found out . . . My, my, how the tables can turn. And turn quickly.
No, this recovery wasn’t a sanctioned job by my boss at The Beacham Foundation in New York. This kind of mission never is. The official duties of my job entail more standard skills like negotiation, research, following clues, diplomatic discussions, and trailing the kind of ephemeral information I gain through a vast network of contacts—from Vatican sources to snitches on the street, through renowned art historians to shady contacts who go by aliases instead of legal names. One must be extremely flexible about knowing who to trust in my job and when, until I can locate stolen or lost masterpieces and circuitously return them via official channels.
Yet, sometimes speed is of the essence, making another rule apply in such clandestine instances: she who waits often loses the painting for good.
“That’s your motto, eh?”
Oh, hello, Jack. Let me introduce my. . .partner. . .would you say? This is Jack Hawkes.
“I would say partner. Though the term implies we always share information, so I can’t completely believe you think of us that way, Laurel.”
Like you haven’t ever held back intel. And still don’t.
“Fine. I’ll give you points for trying, if you’ll favor me with the same.”
Sure. Is that your phone ringing or mine?
“It’s my mobile. I’ll take this outside.”
Please do.
Good, he shut the door. And before you ask, Jack doesn’t work for the foundation, but he’s now an integral part of the four-person Beacham London team—though he’s actually the only Brit.
I thought at first he was a con man working to outmaneuver me on a sanctioned art recovery job, only to find his rap sheet and aliases had been manufactured by British intelligence services. However, his cunning charm and mastery of languages means he’s at home in most every setting. He also has resources that dovetail beautifully with the requirements of my team, though we still rely heavily on Nico for all our hacking needs because it eliminates the necessity for Jack to seek any pesky search warrants. Yes, he and I share the same squishy ethics on some things.
Mostly, Jack watches my back and I reciprocate. He often annoys me when he controls need-to-know info, but because I do the same I can’t really hold that against him anymore. Well, I try not to do so. Okay, it’s a challenge, I admit it, but I’m making an effort.
One thing I’ve learned being around art is that interpretation is all in the perspective. You can’t expect to know everything about a work of art with just one glance, and the same holds true with people. The more I know about a masterpiece or a person, the more I trust my instincts about what each is telling me. Jack isn’t the only person I’ve had to change my opinion on. And with the rate of the crowd around us who are good guys turning into bad, I’m glad I have a team to back me up in day to day operations.
Oh, and that recovery job on the masterpiece in France I mentioned earlier? Well, let’s just say my world quickly rotated on its axis after Nico and I cat burgled the painting back into the mainstream. But I’ll stop here, as I don’t want to give away the game. If you want to tag along with us, pick up a copy of Fatal Forgeries. My job is never the same two days in a row, but I can promise that it’s never boring.
If you’d like to join the adventure, pick up a copy of Fatal Forgeries, recently released by Henery Press on June 6th. I’ll give one signed copy of Fatal Forgeries to one lucky poster—print or e-copy (Kindle or Nook), winner’s choice. To enter, just comment with your favorite work of art. US entries only for print, please. The giveaway ends June 17, 2017. Good luck everyone!
You can read more about Laurel in Fatal Forgeries, the fourth book in the “Bodies of Art” mystery series.
When art recovery expert Laurel Beacham’s personal and professional worlds collide, she learns no good theft goes unpunished. Incomplete intel and a missing source compel her to make a huge mistake, and she’s left with a divided team. Every retrieved masterpiece has a price–and the cost of forgeries can be deadly. This time Laurel could lose not only her best lead, but also her most trusted ally. The stakes have never been higher, forcing her and her partner, Jack, to go on the run, crisscrossing Europe to evade the criminals. Except instead of two masterminds working against them, they realize there might be three. With no time to lose, Laurel and her team must pool their resources and work to set aside their differences before they become the next fatalities.
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About the author
USA Today bestselling author Ritter Ames writes the Bodies of Art Mysteries, her way of coaxing her husband into more European travel for “research.” Visit Ritter at ritterames.com
All comments are welcomed.
My favorite is Master Bedtoom by Andrew Wyeth. We have a framed print of this because it looks like our first bedroom set and our first dog and even the bedspread we had. Kuzlin at aol.com
That is so cool, Linda! Your memory is refreshed everytime you look at it, and you have a wonderful work to look at and relate to every day. Thanks so much for dropping by today!
I don’t have a favorite piece of art. I like looking at all of the different styles. Thank you so much for the chance to win!!
For some reason, WordPress posted my reply to your comment a couple of people down, Abby. Don’t understand these shuffles. But thanks again for stopping by and good luck in the drawing!
I like Vincent Van Gogh’s The Starry Night. I just love to look at it. Thank you.
Starry Night truly is the kind of painting you can lose time just staring at it. Thanks for dropping by catwoman, and good luck in the drawing!
This sounds terrific!
I like versatility, too, Abby. Good luck in the drawing and thank you for stopping by today 🙂
Thank you, Elizabeth! Thanks for stopping by today 🙂
Anything by the French Impressionists! Thanks for the great giveaway!
I love the Impressionists, too, Doward! Good luck! And thanks for stopping by 🙂
My favorite work of art is a drawing I have by NH artist Brett Rand…It is unnamed, except by me!
There are a lot of great art works like that, Gram. Thanks for stopping by and good luck in the drawing 🙂
Fatal Forgeries is an awesome, action-packed book full of twists and turns. I highly recommend it!
Thanks so much, Celia! So glad you enjoyed it 🙂
Have a great day!
I will definitely check this series out! I’ve been looking at a number of the Henery Press titles.
Thanks, Pat. Let me know what you think 🙂 For some reason Amazon hasn’t yet raised the price of the second book back yet to full price from its sale last week, so if you want a bargain, grab it now for 99¢. Thanks for dropping by 🙂
I like the old masters, however can appreciate the beauty in all art. Thank you for the opportunity to win the book– my interest is definitely piqued.
So glad, MaryAnn. I’m an old masters fan myself 🙂 Good luck in the drawing!
Mary Cassatt…the rosey cheeks of children and the beach scenes…are delightful.
Oh, yes, isn’t Mary Cassatt terrific! Thanks for dropping by SueAnn and good luck in the drawing!
Any of Van Gogh’s Irises paintings are my favorites.
I know what you mean, Jana. There was an excellent PBS show last year on him and when he lived in the Yellow House in Arles.
I have to say ( and please don’t add me to the drawing) that being part of a team that works on a need to know basis has got to be hard work. Requires brilliance on all sides and love of what you do despite your compatriots;). And that’s why I am such a fan of these books. Not only are “the 4 musketeers ” a force to be reckoned with, they care and respect who and what they are working for….most of the time….
My favorite art is a 3- way tie: the non- flower Georgia O’Keefes, Andrew Wyeth’s Christina’s World, and Goya’s Collasus where if you look at it in passing, it looks like he’s moved on from the destruction, but, to me, he’s turned his back on it and may NOT have caused it
Andrea, that’s so nice to hear, thank you. And you have great art choices too. In fact, I used the non-flower Georgia O’Keefe paintings recently talking about how some forgers added an element to try to escape arrest if they were caught with the fakes. The forgers paint a small human figure in the painting, usually in silhouette, to be able to point to the figure and say they painted it as a homage–not as a forgery–since O’Keefe never painted humans in her works. But if no one said anything, they continued their forgeries 🙂 Thanks so much for dropping by today 🙂
I love Christina’s World. That is my favorite artwork.
I like Monet’s work. Beach at Sainte-Adresse is lovely. The Bodies of Art mystery series is great. I’m looking forward to reading Fatal Forgeries. Thanks for the chance to win a print copy.
Hi Linda, thanks so much for stopping by. Monet is one of my favorites too, and you picked a wonderful work. Glad you enjoy the series. Good luck!
This is a new author and series to me. Really enjoyed the description of the book and I’m looking forward to reading the book.
Hi Dianne, thanks so much for stopping by. Glad the book sounds interesting 🙂
This would be delightful to read. Thank you for the review.
Marilyn ewatvess@yahoo.com
So nice to hear, Marilyn. Thanks for stopping by.
How do you ever have a favorite book or movie or piece of art? Variety is the spice of life, and I like so many different things. Some days it is the softness of a Monet, other days a Pollack will be my current choice. Sometimes I think the best art of all is that done by children (your own or others) in their sweet innocent style. Just like romance, mystery, paranormal, young adult, and children’s books have their individual appeal. Maybe I am just one of those flavor of the day people who likes the last thing they saw or read???
However, I do enjoy this series and the many interesting characters within!
Terrific answer Barbara and I completely agree 🙂 Thanks so much for stopping by, and I’m glad you like the Bodies of Art Mystery series. 🙂
Sounds like an interesting series. My favorite painters William Waterhouse. I think it is because of the colors he uses and tbe quality of the light.
**** WINNER ****
Fatal Forgeries by Ritter Ames is Barbara Hackel
Congratulations!