The Art Spy is a factual retelling of the Extraordinary Untold Tale of WWII Resistance Hero Rose Valland by Michelle Young. While not a novel, it almost read like one due to the amazing events of her life. The story also weaves in the efforts of other art dealers and historians, particularly Paul Rosenberg and his son Alexandre, who were friends with many of the great early 20th century painters. I highly recommend this book for any WWII or art enthusiast. It will make my next trip to Paris more interesting as well, as I look for the sights of where many of these extraordinary happenings took place.

Thank you to Net Galley and the publisher for an ARC. #sponsored

Michelle Young's fascinating World War II account of Rose Valland, one-time caretaker and curator of Paris's Jeu de Paume Museum, is a must-read. When Nazis overtook the Jea de Paume in the wake of the occupation of Paris, Valland courageously remained a stalwart guardian of the museum, and, acting as a spy, kept meticulous records of the artwork the Nazis were confiscating from personal collections all over France. Later in the post-war years, she became one of the Monuments Men and Women who worked tirelessly to track down and rescue looted art in order to return it to its owners. Michelle Young paints a thoroughly engrossing and detailed portrait of Rose, taking readers on a thrilling ride through Rose's clever spy maneuvers within the museum as she outwitted the Nazis time and time again. The glimpses of Rose's personal life are poignant and, at times, tragic, as she and her decade-long partner Joyce face wartime dangers and the trials of living in occupied Paris. Young's writing is filled with page-turning suspense, action, and surprises, and Rose's real-life story is even more compelling than fiction. Michelle Young gives a masterful recounting of Rose's wartime years and the pivotal role she played in rescuing countless priceless works of art. Histories about the Monuments Women are sorely lacking, and this book will find a grateful audience among readers looking for more information about the remarkable women, like Rose, who worked in the realm of art restitution. Perfect for art lovers and World War II history buffs alike, this is a compelling, fast-paced read that's not to be missed.