“Historical crime fiction is sometimes little more than a modern adventure in fancy dress. Not so the novels of CJ Sansom, whose magnificent books set in the reign of Henry VIII bring to life the sounds and smells of Tudor England…” (Sunday Times)
Almost three thousand miles west of France lie eight islands with a population today of 5,500 people and terrain not unlike the Falkland Islands. The similarity does not end there; both were recaptured in the 20th century.
Ireland was not immune to art thefts but from country houses not museums. Something stolen from one house was recovered in London, returned to its rightful place, and shortly afterwards stolen again not to be found so far.
“How five art dealers, four policemen, three picture restorers, two auction houses and a journalist plotted to recover some of the world’s most beautiful stolen paintings.” ( Double Dealer by Peter Watson, dust jacket)
The thefts in the Iain Pears art heist series are often close to reality, the main characters are well portrayed, the descriptions of Rome excellent but of course the plots and denouements contrived.
I’m looking forward to meeting Charles Thoroughgood and Commissario Soneri. If they arrive in time I will take them both away with me next week and go to bed with them – not at the same time obviously.