I knew as soon as I read the premise for this book that it was something I wanted to pick up right away. It has so many intriguing components that I love--a curator searching for lost artifacts steeped in mystery, an intriguing setting, and some history mixed in. I enjoyed this book due to all of this. I would encourage someone to read this if they had previously enjoyed Clive Cussler or James Rollins, but prefer more of a focus on the history and artifacts itself and rooted in more reality.

I found myself very caught up in the depth of information included in this book, almost to the extent that this overwhelmed the core plot. The process of identifying historical pieces was fascinating but did take up quite a bit of time and space, sacrificing the pace of the plot a little bit. I a, sure there is a degree of truth in the ideas included in this plot line and that, too, makes for a thought provoking and interesting reading experience,

While staying at a friends house in Italy in 1980, New York City Art Museum curator Dickie Read comes across some US-made silver candleholders in a chapel and decides to investigate how they found their way there. This leads to him attempting to unravel more mysteries, such as why a young girl and a collection of expensive paintings disappeared in 1944 in then german-occupied Italy, as well as where the Delancys long-lost treasure ended up.

The strength of this book was, in my opinion, the knowledge of the author. It is plain that he has thorough knowledge of what he is writing about; everything from what the castles look like to the antique silverware and furniture they own feels authentic. It can sorely ruin a reading experience when it is obvious that the author does not have personal experience about that they are writing, and this author really shone with their knowledge (at least as far as I can tell), which for me was the best part of reading this book.

One weakness with the book was that the cast was quite large, which made it hard at times to remember who was married to whom and who was cousins with whom. There was also a lot of repetition in the book, with characters relaying word-for-word what they said to another person, even though the reader and both talking parties already were aware of all the facts beforehand, and a short ‘he briefed him about what he had told the Marchesa’ would have sufficed instead of a whole paragraph of what was said.

I feel like this was not the book for me. I will therefore describe who I think would enjoy this book. If you enjoy Italy, its castles, its food, its language, its aristocracy, this book will appeal to you. If you take your time reading, and don't need fast-paced action, but can appreciate the plot slowing down to give way for thorough descriptions of antique heirlooms, old expensive buildings and old families with generational wealth living luxurious lives, then you will enjoy this book. Who knows, you might even pick up a few Italian words on the way.

I received a free digital ARC copy of this book for reviewing from Greenleaf Book Group via Netgalley, which I am very thankful for. However, my review is based on my honest opinions.

One of the things I love most in the world is art and art history, so this was a book I was genuinely looking forward to. The premise had everything I usually fall for, lost artifacts, wartime secrets, a European setting, and a mystery that spans decades. I wanted to love this. I really did.

And parts of it were genuinely interesting. The historical details around the hollowware, the connections to World War II, and the journey to uncover the truth behind these artifacts kept me turning the pages. It’s clear that the author knows his stuff when it comes to decorative arts, and that expertise really shines.

But I have to admit… I’m torn. As much as the story intrigued me, there were things that felt a bit off. Some of the characters didn’t quite come alive for me, and the pacing felt uneven, like it couldn’t quite decide if it wanted to be a historical mystery or a reflective academic piece. That might work for some readers, but it left me hovering between appreciation and frustration.

So yeah, this one lands at 3 stars, I think it’ll work best for people who love quiet, art-centered historical fiction with a scholarly tone. Just wish it had clicked with me a bit more.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC!

This might be a good story but it needs a developmental editor to help the author weave together the story and exposition. It’s a shame, because the author is clearly knowledgeable about the subject matter. DNF.

Thanks, NetGalley, for the ARC.

I found this book dry. It didn’t hold my interest. I was given an ARC copy, with the agreement to give an honest review.

I did find the plot intriguing-- Red Brigade terrorists, a kidnapping, the efforts made to hide priceless art from the Nazis, and the quest to find some of those missing treasures. I also liked learning about all the bureaucracy involved in repatriating art. However, I found Going for the Gold to be amateurishly written with an unnecessary love interest and an underutilized villainess, whom I found much more interesting than the "hero."

Going for the Gold by David B. Warren was, in my opinion, written too much like a history book. Mostly narrative and descriptive in nature. I could not get into the story line and DNF.

Releases May 27th. I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

I chose this book as my current read, hoping to be swept up in a compelling tale of art, history, and intrigue. Although I was interested in the decades-old mystery, the search for the provenance of gold hollowware, the clash with the Red Brigades, and the allure of the remote location, the writing style of this restoration novel wasn't enough to hold my interest.

I was gifted this copy by Greenleaf Book Group and NetGalley and was under no obligation to provide a review.