Santlofer’s novel alternates between Luke’s increasingly dangerous investigation and Vincent’s poignant story. Himself an artist, the author lends credibility and authenticity to the story. The book includes gripping action sequences and vivid depictions of Florence, Paris, and Nice.

The premise for this book was fascinating; I did not know the Mona Lisa was stolen, but the plot felt contrived and lacked the smooth flow I look for. It reminded me of The da Vinci Code, and if you are a fan of Dan Brown’s work, you should check it out.

I alternated between the eBook and audio, and Edoardo Bellerini’s (a two-time Audie award winner) narration was spectacular. The Last Mona Lisa has plenty of things going for it, but I thought it was just okay. I give it five stars for the plot, but just three for execution.

** Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a complimentary copy of this book. The opinions are my own.

The Last Mona Lisa is an alluring, fascinating tale predominantly set in Paris during 1911, as well as present-day Florence, that takes us into the lives of Vincent Peruggia, a young man who, after losing his wife suddenly to illness, will do whatever it takes to earn enough money to be reunited with his son, as well as his great-grandson Luke Perrone, an art historian who is consumed with all things Mona Lisa who heads to Italy to find his great grandfather’s long-lost journal to discover once and for all why he stole the painting, where it was kept for the two years before it was returned, and ultimately, before everyone who knows about the journal, including himself, ends up dead, finally discover whether the original or merely a fake is now actually hanging in the infamous museum.

The characters are flawed, vulnerable, and driven. And the plot, alternating between timelines, unravels and intertwines quickly into an ominous tale of life, loss, family, self-discovery, secrets, lies, deception, greed, friendship, heartbreak, addiction, obsession, murder, as well as the beautiful, intricate details involved in creating, forging, and restoring artwork.

Overall, The Last Mona Lisa is an evocative, immersive, thrilling novel by Santlofer that’s not only a love letter to Renaissance art and the cities of Florence and Paris but a suspenseful tale steeped in historical fact and compelling fiction.

This is a fast-paced book, a thriller really, while also being an historical fiction book about art, one of the most famous paintings, The Mona Lisa by Leonardo da Vinci. The main character, Luke Perrone is the great-grandson of Vincent Peruggia who stole the Mona Lisa from the Louvre in 1911. The painting went missing for two years, then the thief was caught trying to sell it and was sent to prison for a short time. While in prison Peruggia wrote a journal explaining how and why he did it. Another mystery suggests that while the painting was missing a copy artist created several versions of the painting that are nearly identical and difficult to determine the real from the fake. There are rumors there is a fake hanging in the museum.

Luke is an artist himself and art history teacher and he finally gets a lead about his great-grandfather that makes him drop everything, putting his teaching job in jeopardy, to fly to Italy. From a source he finds the journal, locked in an archive library where he can only read bits at a time. Meanwhile INTERPOL along with some nefarious individuals are tracking Luke and leaving dead bodies in their wake. There’s also the gorgeous blonde in the library, another American, who becomes a love interest, distracting Luke from his goal to find out about the painting and his great-grandfather.

There are several characters, nearly too many, but somehow it does manage to work together. The writing style is easy to read and makes the reading go quickly. It’s hard to put the book down, wanting to know what happens next. There are some unsavory individuals and we do get their point of view, but happily these are usually very short sections. One of the best aspects of the book is how much is based in fact, what actually happened in the past. There is some who still suggest the famous painting is a forgery.

Did not get to this title in 2021. I started is on audio but was finding it hard to follow, so return it.
The low rating is not a reflection of the work, but rather indicating that this was bumped from my TBR in replacement of other titles

Not perfect but I did enjoy this book. It’s fast paced and at the end of every chapter I wanted to keep going and read more. It’s fiction, but based on the real life 1911 theft of the Mona Lisa from The Louvre. What happened? Was the real version really returned or was it a forgery? Interesting mystery following fictional character whose great grandfather was the one to steal the painting. Much of the book also takes place in Florence, so if you’ve been (or know a lot about the city) the author does a good job of describing it and it’s various landmarks- making you feel like you are there. One complaint is that it does jump around every chapter to first person of different characters, but the chapters don’t have the headers most books would stating the character so you know immediately whose chapter you are reading. Thank you Sourcebooks Landmark for providing copy in exchange for honest review.

Interesting concept, especially with all of the art theft documentary content out right now! The story felt real and connected to the characters.

Inspired by the real life theft of the Mona Lisa from the Louvre by Vincent Peruggia in 1911; Vincent's great-grandson, Luke, returns to Italy to read his journal and try to determine the authenticity of the painting hanging in the museum. I was unaware of this part of history and found it fascinating to read about what possibly may have happened.

This was a 3.5 stars for me. If you enjoyed the DaVinci Code (which I did) this will be up your alley. Inspired by the real life theft of the Mona Lisa from the Louvre by Vincent Peruggia in 1911, Santlofer (who has an art background himself) imagines his great grandson on a quest to find the truth about what happened. Turns out there’s a lot of danger in that quest.

I’m always drawn the books that take elements of history and culture and weave them into a fast-paced story, so this was a natural choice for me. I’m not sure why I had a hard time sticking with it and became distracted by other reads. Still, a fun and interesting ride.

received an advanced e- copy of “ The last Mona Lisa” by Johnathan Saintlofer from Net Galley. Many thanks to the publisher and Net Galley for the opportunity to read the book, and to the author for an excellent novel .

Sometimes a reader gets lucky in choosing a book to read. Maybe it is the title that intrigues or the cover blurb. Sometimes it an even be the cover art. Whatever it was that led me to request “ The Last Mona Lisa” it was a good choice. It is a mystery thriller and a love story that takes the reader from 1911 Paris to modern Florence and on to New York. What is more, the details on which the plot is based are true. An impoverished guard named Peruggia did steal the Mona Lisa from the Louvre in 1911. Peruggia was arrested in Italy when he attempted to sell the painting to the Uffizi Gallery. There were copies, very good ones, made, and the men who made and pedaled the “real” picture are as named in the book.
The novel uses the fictional great-grandson of the thief, Luke Perrone, a some time artist and adjunct professor of art history as its primary character.Luke finds his great- grandfather’s picture in the attic of his parent’s house , and, knowing something of the greatest art theft in history , decides to go on the trail of his long lost relative and find the story behind the crime.
Along the way, the reader is treated to a refresher course in art as Luke visits some of Florence’s museums/ libraries in search of the prison journals of Vincenzo Perrugia. In one library reading room, he becomes acquainted with a beautiful American girl, Alexandra Green, with whom a low- simmering love grows..
As the story unfolds it becomes obvious Luke’s literary investigation has attracted unwanted attention .The reader, but not Luke, becomes aware that Luke is being surveilled by not one but two separate men. Both are sinister and one may be the killer who has interrogated and brutally killed people in Luke’s wake.
My attention was captured and held by the author’ finely constructed plot, its captivating main character and the perfectly built tension of the story. The detail shown in the locales was never obtrusive, but added to the novel’s charm. The rising danger, the questions of loyalties, the hidden dangers all made the book hard to lay aside.
This book easily earns five stars and my highest recommendation.
Sensitivity warnings: some violence, a bit of romantic love. If you love a good historical mystery, art and well designed intrigues, “ The Last Mona Lisa” belongs on your to read list.

A well crafted mystery based on a actual event -- the theft of the Mona Lisa and the question of whether the one in the Louvre is a forgery. Centered on a descendent of the thief who goes to Italy to research his ancestor and finds himself in the midst of a mystery himself. Fast paced and told in alternating voices -- the descendent, the ancestor, the man watching the reseacher, an art collector, and others. There are twists and turns to keep the reader interested. I really enjoyed the suspense, and it was only enhanced by the fact that it's based on a true mystery.

I loved that this was a historical novel about a art theft of a very famous painting. It worked perfectly as a novel and I enjoyed the way the author wrote the story.

Thanks to Netgalley for giving me the opportunity to read and review this book.
The idea of this book was fascinating and had me intrigued. That being said, I picked it up, and I put it down. I didn't mind following Luke's every day adventures in the library, I was really interested in the journal, and I was suspicious of everyone! It wasn't an easy book (for me) to connect to, and it became cumbersome with all of the different characters - their story and points of view. It was also a bit off-putting going from one point of view to another with first person narrator to third person narrator. This wasn't my favorite read; however, I think that I will recommend it to my book club and others for it is a good discussion book. In my opinion, the more layers a book has to offer, and the more controversial (according to one reviewer, the historical facts were inaccurate) the more lively the discussion. This book is definitely a good read for those who love art history, and exploring the hidden treasures among the dark alleys of the art world. (It is also a great book for people, again such as myself, who like to take a book based on fact and run with it to the nearest research library to find out more about the history behind the fiction - thank you Jonathan Santlofer for the inspiration.)

Review for The Last Mona Lisa by Jonathan Santlofer will be posted to Goodreads. Thank you to the publisher for the Advanced Review Copy.

⭐⭐⭐⭐ -- Love the cover of this book.

I enjoyed this one a lot. Based on true events when the Mona Lisa was stolen in 1911, it very much had a "Dan Brown" feel to it. And I am always down for any type of book that reminds me of The Da Vinci Code. Throw in art and art history and a bunch of intrigue and I am one happy reader. So yeah, this was an incredibly entertaining read and gets two thumbs up from yours truly.

**ARC Via NetGalley**

Thank you NetGalley for an e-ARC of The Last Mona Lisa by Jonathan Santlofer.
For fans of John Grisham, Dan Brown, and The Goldfinch. A suspenseful art mystery that adds an historical element. Based on a true story, Santlofer leaves the reader wondering what is real and what is fake. I want to go back to Paris and see the Mona Lisa through new eyes.

Is the Mona Lisa a fake? Vincent Peruggia stole the painting in 1911. Was it ever properly replaced? Luke Perrone is determined to find out exactly what has happened. His research has triggered a warning at Interpol. Luke has managed to integrate himself into the world of art forgery and theft.

The history that runs throughout this novel is superb! It is very well researched and put together. The only reason for the 4 stars…and this is only my opinion…I did not feel as connected to the characters as I wanted to be. But, the art history and the way the author portrayed Florence and Paris, just took my breath away!

Need a good historical mystery…THIS IS IT! Grab your copy today.

I received this novel from the publisher for a honest review.

I had to work to finish this one.

The overall story was interesting; a heist story told from the perspective of the thief’s grandson. I enjoyed cruising around Florence and Paris with the characters.

Luke Perrone wasn’t a very believable character for me. He is an art history professor, but needs to be reminded about some of the great art works of Florence? The romantic interest felt contrived, and I never really believed in his relationships with Alex and Smith.

The review of *The Last Mona Lisa* is in the September 2021 issue of Gumshoe Review and is exclusive to them until October 1st.

You may read the review at this link:
<http://www.gumshoereview.com/php/Review-id.php?id=6799>

Thank you to SourceBooks and NetGalley for my e-arc and gifting me this wonderful gem

Johnathan Santlofer's the Last Mona Lisa is a story of a heist- involving a theft of Mona Lisa from Louvre in 1911, the forgeries that appeared in its wake, and the present-day underbelly of the art world.

Enough said! If you are a fan of arts and heists, this is for you!

3.75 stars

The Last Mona Lisa reminds me of a lot of Dan Brown's books. They both have a professor protagonist who is trying to uncover a mystery in the art world while outwitting an assassin and falling in love with a alluring but closed off woman. Like Brown, Santlofer's chapters are short and immensely readable which allows the action to proceed at a fairly brisk pace.

Unlike Brown, however, Santlofer does not solely focus on the action and adventure of the mystery. The flashbacks to 1911 establish this book as one part Da Vinci Code and one part Titanic. Throwing in the historical fiction angle on top of the mystery does occasionally muddy the action and the pacing of the book, but I did think that it worked for the most part. I did have a few other small issues with the book overall - the female love interest feels especially underdeveloped - but I definitely still found The Last Mona Lisa to be an arresting and fast-paced read.

Thank you to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Landmark for an ARC of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review!