Alexis Verde buys a painting at an antique store, only to discover the canvas has another painting beneath the visible art ... and it's possibly a missing work by Vincent Van Gogh! While attempting to have it authenticated, the painting is stolen, launching Alex and her partner Luke Perrone on an international adventure to recover it and validate its history.

The brief chapters quickly propelling me through this action-packed plot that moves from New York City to various European locales. Most of the story is based in Netherlands, specifically Amsterdam, and the sense of place is strong - I could envision the canals and racks of bicycles. I was relatively unfamiliar with the details of Van Gogh's life so it was very interesting the learn more, especially regarding the circumstances surrounding his death at age 37. How else might this talented person have impacted the art world if his life had been longer?

However, I sometimes got lost in the large cast of characters; I haven't read the author's first novel, The Last Mona Lisa, and Alex and Luke originated there so that likely contributed to my confusion. While I appreciated the information shared about Anne Frank, I struggled to understand its link to the plot beyond their shared connection to Amsterdam.

Thank you to Sourcebooks Landmark, the Thoughts From a Page podcast, and NetGalley for the review copy of this novel.

The Lost Van Gogh by Johnathan Santlofer

3/5 Stars

The Lost Van Gogh is exactly what the title represents. When the lost Van Gogh painting falls into the hands of the two main characters, Alex Verde and Luke Perrone, it is stolen once again just a day later. This book then follows their journey to regain the lost masterpiece.

My expectation for this book was high, looking forward to the subject matter as a fan of Dan Brown and the classic Nicholas Cage heist of National Treasure. The rich description of the settings and art lived up to these expectations, however the plot itself fell flat for me.

The storyline follows approximately four different point of views with no warning of when a change would come. This surprise switching left the narrative somewhat disconnected, where the focus of mystery was on who’s viewpoint was up next rather than the mystery of the lost painting. The disconnect in the narrative also dampened the build-up towards the delivery of the climax. I feel as if the plot would have been much more enjoyable with more characters taking on a supporting role.

When the mystery of the plot did come through, I found the book faster paced and attention grabbing. The Interpol element of the book added the necessary crime element for which I was searching. My absolute favorite part of this book was the mixed use of factually information and building the fictional story up around the facts. As a whole the story was exciting and intriguing, just a little overcrowded.

Thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to give this book a read! I can’t wait to see it in stores upon its release on January 2nd!

When Alexis Verde buys a painting at an antiques market in upstate New York, she had no idea that a long lost and much rumored Van Gogh self-portrait would be hiding beneath the surface. Only days later, the painting is stolen, and Alex and her boyfriend Luke are drawn into a dangerous hunt for the painting.

The Lost Van Gogh is an interesting blend of historical fiction, thriller, and espionage. The author extensively and exhaustively researched the life of Vincent Van Gogh and the despicable looting of artwork during World War II, and those are the parts of the book I most enjoyed. The spy thriller in the present worked less well for me. There are so many characters and it’s hard to keep them straight, as we only get to know them on a cursory level. It turns out that Alex, Luke, and Analyst Smith are all characters in the author’s book The Last Mona Lisa, even though nothing in the blurb ever explicitly links the two books. That said, I don’t think reading it would have helped me get to know Alex, Luke, or Smith any better, since none of the other characters are fully developed either. It also bugged me that although this should be Alex’s story, it is told from Luke’s perspective, so we don’t get to know her as well as I would like either.

Although this book wasn’t for me, fans of spy/espionage thrillers or WWII historical fiction may enjoy this one. Many thanks to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Landmark for providing me an advance copy of this book.

This review will be posted on January 2, 2024 to: https://instagram.com/amandas.bookshelf

This missed a few marks for me. I didn't feel any urgency or tension around the plot. There was a lot of talking and explaining, which I did appreciate from an art history perspective. But, ultimately, I just wasn't into the plot or the characters. #TheLostVanGogh Rating: 😫 / really didn't like it
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This book is scheduled for publication on January 23, 2024. Thank you @bookmarked for providing me this digital ARC via @NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

In Paris in 1944, an artist paints a portrait of his wife over a Van Gogh painting, hiding the original work from the Nazis. Over 75 years later, the picture resurfaces in upstate New York, where a woman buys it in an antique store. When they discover the hidden painting, she and her boyfriend (an art history professor) can't figure out how it got there. Meanwhile, in Amsterdam, INTERPOL and and the police are trying to catch a major dealer in stolen art looted by the Nazis.
I didn't enjoy this novel that much because I'm not that into espionage stories (I can never figure out what's going on), and though this is supposedly about art theft, it's more espionage. Everyone has a code name, everyone is spying on everyone else and double-crossing them. The reader gets quite the tour of Amsterdam, including a visit to the Anne Frank House, as well as a lecture on looted Nazi artwork. Some of the characters appeared in one of Santlofer's earlier books, The Last Mona Lisa. Overall, just meh.

Did Alex really buy the last self portrait painted by Van Gogh for $25? It certainly seems possible given that someone stole it from her and how many people want it. But where has it been all these years? Alex and her boyfriend Luke, who narrates, tell the twisted tale of looted artwork and the effort to return it to the rightful owners. Better though are the details about Van Gogh. The mystery part of this and the chase (as well as the involvement of Interpol and the odd situation with Alex's father) are, to be honest, a bit over the top. That said, those interested in the art world will find new tidbits of information and it's always worthwhile to spend time reading about Van Gogh. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. An adventure story with art.

I enjoyed reading The Lost Van Gogh by Jonathan Santlofer, a mystery that kept my attention, especially once I figured out who all of the characters were. At the start, Alexis Verde purchases a painting, and underneath it, she and her boyfriend, Luke Perrone, discover what they believe to be a lost Van Gogh self-portrait. However, before the two can have the painting’s authenticity verified, the painting is stolen, leading to twists and turns as Luke and Alexis try to recover the lost Van Gogh. At the same time, other possibly more sinister characters pursue the same mission.

I enjoyed the art history, especially the well-researched parts about Van Gogh and the WW2-related art history that Santlofer brought into his story. The book was somewhat confusing as there were many characters, and I struggled to know which character a chapter was about until a good way into the book. I’ve not read any books by Santlofer before this one, and I think if I had read The Last Mona Lisa, I would have understood who each character was in the book much sooner. Overall, I thought the story was intriguing and very much enjoyed the second half.
Thanks to the publisher and the Thoughts From a Page Podcast early reads program for the advanced copy of this book!

I would like to preface this review by saying thank you to Sourcebooks landmark for sending me an ARC of The Lost Van Gogh in exchange for my honest review.

Tucked away in an antique shop in upstate New York, there is an old painting for sale. Alex purchases this painting only to uncover what is beneath it is something far more valuable than she realized.

I didn't know what to expect when I started this book, but I was pleasantly surprised. This book was full of action and twists and turns that could give you whiplash. This book was full of history about art and I learned a lot about Van Gogh than I thought I knew. Did you know they speculate his death? I didn't. The history in this book kept me hooked. I learned so much about the art world that I never knew. If you're into art history, you'll love this one.

My only big issue with this book was all the point of views. There were so many characters telling their POVs, I found it very easy to get confused at times. Trying to keep track of all the side stories is what makes this read a little difficult. But, aside from that, this was a solid 4 stars for me. I think I may just have to check out The Lost Mona Lisa next!

Thanks again to Sourcebooks landmark!

A bit hard to rate as I love the premise of this story of Alex buying a painting that she gives to Luke, an artist, and he discovers there is another painting under the one they see. Could this be a missing original Van Gogh? Smuggled out of Europe during WWII? The painting quickly disappears and Alex reaches out to an old friend, Smith, who works for Interpol and agrees to help them find it one day and the next said to just forget about it! Mysterious and intriguing!

The story felt choppy to me and hard to follow at times but I do think it is an interesting story and with the clarifications of what is actual history from the author at the end, it left me thinking about this story after I had finished.

My thanks to Net Galley, Sourcebooks Landmark and Thoughts From a Page for an advanced copy of this e-book.

From the author of the much-praised The Last Mona Lisa comes another thrilling story of masterpieces, masterminds, and mystery.

I did not read The last Mona Lisa and I wish that I had. I intend to read it.

Luke’s story continues in this look at Van Gogh and the mystery surrounding his last painting.

There have been rumors about a lost painting from the artist for a long time. I think art dealers probably played on that quite a bit. Mystery and art is an unbeatable story.

So, did he paint a final self-portrait? Was it displayed at his funeral? Most have given up the search and conceded it is lost forever.

But Luke and Alexis have found what they believe is the long lost painting. And it will send them into a dangerous search.

Can a painting be evil? What does this have to do with WWII? Would someone kill for this?

A thriller of a story!

Netgalley/ Sourcebooks January 02,2024

The Lost Van Gogh by Jonathan Santlofer. Pub Date: January 2, 2024. Rating: 4 stars. Based on the legend of Vincent Van Gogh, this is a novel full of intrigue, political warfare, stolen art during wartime and mystery. I would consider this a historical fiction thriller that sends the reader on an international chase for a stolen self portrait of Vincent Van Gogh. I found this novel to be informative as well as continuously on the edge of my seat wondering what would happen next. It's sad to know art was stolen during WWII and many families were not given their art back following the war. I think this novel gives the reader an insight into this world that many may not know about. I highly recommend for historical fiction readers. Thanks to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Landmark for this e-arc in exchange for my honest review. #netgalley #thelostvangogh

What it’s about: This book is a mix of action & mystery with historical fiction revolving around a self portrait of Vincent Van Gogh, the result of Nazi art looting in WWII and the struggle to return them to their rightful owner.

What I liked:
🎨Great historical detail. I loved learning more about Van Gogh’s life & the history of Nazi looted art.
🎨Strong sense of place across several countries.
🎨The author is an artist himself which gave the topics a strong sense of authenticity.
🎨The authors sketches in the back of the book.

Final thoughts: I really enjoyed this book and the focus on art history and art crimes. I studied art history in college so mixing that with action and mystery made this right up my alley.

ARC was provided by the publisher and Thoughts From A Page in exchange for an honest review.I’m

Get your passport ready to travel with Santlofer for an exciting art mystery with multiple twists and turns. It was interesting to learn so much about the shady art world, Amsterdam and the questionable circumstances about Van Gogh's death. A page turner that will keep the reader guessing till the end and wondering what they would if they ever discovered a hidden valuable work of art.

Thanks to Cindy Burnett from Thoughts from a Page and the publisher Sourcebooks Landmark.

Reading is an extension of my education and this book hit the mark. A thrilling story woven around the theft of fine art. A great look into the underbelly of the art world; particularly the scope of the Nazi art looting. Layers of characters ratchet up the tension and (you might want to make some notes as the plot thickens). The author, a trained artist, approaches this story in a unique and insightful way that makes this a truly enjoyable read. I plan to work on his backlist! Santlofer is a fascinating person and I encourage you to seek out more details of his life.

Ebook received for free through NetGalley

A book that caught me right away and was decent enough to understand although I hadn’t read the earlier one. Glad I came across it.

A historical art caper, this novel is fast-paced and propulsive. Set in the current day with flashbacks to WWII-era Paris, I enjoyed the historical sections about the Resistance the most. I am not a huge art aficionado, but I enjoyed learning about the art world and was interested in the different museums mentioned. Having been to Amsterdam and the museums, I could picture the scenes in my head. I am so glad the author included a visit to the Anne Frank House, which is a must-see there.

I got a little confused at times with so many different characters, but the ending was satisfying. I didn’t read the first book in this series (The Last Mona Lisa), so some of the character development I missed could likely be in it. This novel would be perfect for an art history fan or anyone who has been to Amsterdam.

Thanks to the publisher and the Thoughts from a Page podcast Patreon program for the ARC.

The Lost Van Gogh was a fast paced novel, with quick chapters. Museums are an interest of mine, and with the added WWII backdrop - it made it a novel that I was looking forward to reading in the Thoughts From A Page bookclub.
Throughout this novel, ethics and morality are always at the back of my mind. Who should obtain the stolen art? It makes me sad knowing all the underground/black market art in the hands of undeserving thieves. I recently read “The Art Thief” by Michael Finkel, and it enhanced this novel for me. I think both would be a good nonfiction and fiction pairing.
I give this Novel a 3.5.

Thank you to Cindy Burnett at Thoughts from a Page and Sourcebooks Landmark, the author, and Netgalley for an ARC in exchange for a review.

Intriguing from page 1! Lots of secrets to unravel. Surprising Twists and turns in every chapter. Definitely a book to savor not rush through. The ending was somewhat of a surprise. I found the authors notes at the end eye opening. This is a must read if you are interested in Van Gogh or the history of WWII art thefts.

Luke is an artist who has just landed a show in a major gallery. This could be the beginning of a successful career. Alexis is an art history student. While searching through an antique store, they happen upon an unassuming and very unfamous painting. But, lurking under the surface is a lost Van Gogh. It was one of two self-portraits that appeared at his funeral, and promptly disappeared. Did it fall into the hands of the Germans? And, if so, how did it end up in the antique store?

But Luke and Alexis aren't the only ones looking for the lost painting. After it is stolen, they link up with an Interpol analyst and set out to find the painting.

Jonathan Santiofer tells a powerful story. Characters are well-developed. The plots sizzles along. I highly recommend this book for mystery lovers and people interested in the murky world of stolen works of art.

A lost self portrait by Van Gogh is at the heart of this mystery. You do not need to be an art lover to feel the pull of this multi layered story full of secrets, competing agendas, history, and corruption. The story is very detailed and moves in two time lines. We learn what happened to the painting to start with and it's connection to Nazi stolen art work. In the present, remarkable coincidences are at play as the painting reapers only to be stolen again. The adventure continues through several countries and both the narration and depiction are captivating and thorough.

I have no read Santlofer's The Lost Mona Lisa, but I will soon as I completely enjoyed the author's style of writing .