Wittman does an excellent job of bringing the reader into the worlds of art theft and undercover operations. Along the way, you get to learn something about art, how authorities around the world deal with its recovery, that “gentlemen thieves” of Hollywood are a total farce, how bureaucracy is everywhere and ruins everything, and how amazing a life lived in one’s own terms can be.
An expertly written page turner that entertains and educates without getting bogged down by trying to take itself seriously, I would definitely recommend it to anyone interested in art and crime solving.

Loved this book! Mr. Wittman was an FBI Agent who speciailized in art theft. Book is part memoir part true-crime novel. LOVED IT! Mr. Wittman went undercover to solve many of the biggest art heists both in the US and oversees. So interesting how different thefts and recoveries worked and how long it takes stolen art to resurface. I learned a lot and the pacing was fast -- more like a novel than a memoir. Five stars.

I became interested in art heists after visiting the Isabella Stewart Gardner museum in 2018. I learned a lot more about them and recovering stolen art by reading this book. But I wasn't a fan of this narrative. I think I have to stop reading books by non-writers.

I really enjoyed this book, I read it over two days while doing some traveling. It's a great mix of history, crime solving and adventure. The author worked on some truly exceptional cases.

My one complaint is that he is a little too self absorbed. I'm happy to hear some about who he is, but it is a bit over the top.

There is some profanity in a couple places.

It's so interesting to learn from the inside person how the black market for artistic masterpieces and historical artifacts works.

Robert Wittman will be in State College to speak on April 7, so I was motivated to read this one. I loved the art connections and the intrigue.

Fascinating insight into the world of art theft, and the detectives who work to recover it.