The Rescue Artist

“A masterpiece. Engrossing, entertaining, often surreally hilarious. A feat no less impressive than the heist of The Scream in under a minute using nothing but a ladder.” —Mary Roach, author of Stiff

Using the 1994 theft and rescue of Edvard Munch’s The Scream as a centerpiece, Edward Dolnick takes readers on a rollicking ride deep inside the dangerous, sometimes ludicrous territory that is the art underworld. Meet a diverse cast of characters including titled aristocrats, thick-necked thugs, inept officials, and the world’s greatest art detective, a half-English, half-American undercover cop named Charley Hill. An ex-soldier, a would-be priest, and a complicated mix of brilliance, foolhardiness, and charm, Hill dispells myths and offers compelling insight into this dark and unfamiliar landscape. An enthralling tale of greed, obsession, and mystery, The Rescue Artist is a riveting read from a masterful writer.