Eva Brunner is a German photographer. She is taking photographs of looted artwork in the salt mines of Austria. Josie Evans is an American stenographer. Both of them are soon called to Italy to participate in the war. There, both women learn of Hitler’s plan to destroy the art in the salt mines. Together, the two come up with a plan to save the looted art collection. Could both women thwart Hitler and save these masterpieces?

Eva Brunner was a very interesting protagonist. She was a German and her family are strong advocates of Hitler. Initially, Eva believed Hitler’s lies and propaganda. She believed that the artworks were being preserved and would go back to their original owners. Eventually, she learned the truth of Hitler’s plan that instead of preserving the artwork, he wanted to destroy it. Therefore, I find her to be a fascinating character because she changed over the course of the novel and she questioned her beliefs. She was a very refreshing character.

I thought Josie Evans was a very boring character. She had no depth or personality. Her story was dull compared to Eva’s. Josie remained the same throughout the novel. She had not undergone many challenges throughout the novel where her beliefs were being questioned. Therefore, I thought the book would have been more interesting if the story was told solely from Eva’s perspective. Josie was a very typical character that I read in many WWII novels.

Overall, this novel is about propaganda, art, and friendship. I thought the rest of the characters had no depth, and I could not connect with them emotionally. I also thought that the story was very slow moving. It took a long time for the girls to begin their mission. Therefore, it was very drawn out, and I felt that it could have been much shorter.I did like how the story was being told in first person. I thought that the writing style was very eloquent, and I loved the lush setting of Italy in WWII! I recommend this book for fans of The Paris Deception, The Art Forger, and The Muse!

An exquisitely written WWII historical fiction featuring two women, one German and one American, doing everything they can to save works of art. I loved the dichotomy aspect of two women on opposite sides working towards the same goal. There are a lot of books about WWII but this was unique in that way. An intense and heartfelt read for fans of Kristin Hannah and Kristin Harmel.

I must admit that, as a reader of The Monuments Men and Saving Italy (which I loved even more), I was primed to like this book. Well, I didn't like it--I LOVED it. The Last Masterpiece showed a more human side to what the non-fiction books did not portray. It showed what the reasons were for moving the paintings and sculpture, that maybe (at least with some of the German forces) was to preserve it (although the book does suggest and I think it has been proved rightly so that was not the true purpose) and after the war to return them to the Italian people. Eva truly believed that she was doing a good thing and helping to preserve the artwork, but when she discovered what the true intent was, she was a great help to the Monuments Men (and in Josie's case, Monuments Woman). The book also showed the dedication to preserving the art, not just for Italy, but for the world (the reader is reminded of this again and again) and how personally these soldiers took their victories and we suffered along with them when the Nazis blew the bridges of Florence.

Also, there was a personal side of this book too--showing the hardships of war and what the first WAC unit faced when it went overseas. I appreciated the contrast of the two women--their experiences in the same place and how they reacted to the war around them. Both women did their jobs to the best of their ability, although for different reasons. I know that this book is fiction, but Florence and its treasures are real and Ms. Morelli brings the reality to the story and the characters to life.

3.5 stars rounded down to 3.

In 1943, two women find themselves on a mission to save the art treasures of Florence from theft and destruction. Eva Brunner, a German photographer, is documenting art hidden in an Austrian salt mine. Across the ocean, American stenographer Josephine Evans joins the Women’s Army Corps and is assigned to work with the Monuments Men, a group tasked with protecting Europe’s cultural heritage.

Initially, Eva believes the Nazi claims that they are safeguarding Florentine artworks from the approaching Allied forces and will return them to their original owners, but she soon realizes their true intentions. Disillusioned with her work, Eva defects and helps Lucia, an Italian partisan. Together, they embark on a perilous journey through war-torn Italy, facing both external threats and internal conflicts.

This captivating blend of history and imagination takes readers on two remarkable journeys through war-ravaged Italy. The women’s parallel stories are fast-paced, dramatic, and populated with colorful, complex characters. Art enthusiasts and fans of historical fiction will appreciate Morelli’s narrative.

I loved learning about the Monuments Women, the Fifth Army WACs, and the looted Florentine art collections during World War II—details I knew little about. While I enjoy fine art, this book had too much detail on artwork. It was also heavy with metaphors and similes. Despite the impressive collaboration between Italians and Americans to save precious artwork; I found it difficult to stay engaged throughout the book. At 3.5 stars, it was good, just not great.

** Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a comp on this title. The opinions are my own.

In a dual 1943 storyline, most of The Last Masterpiece is set in Florence and the surrounding Tuscan countryside, although some chapters do take place in Rome and Venice. The book goes into great detail to follow two fictional woman on opposing sides of the war, both wanting to help save these treasures. I found it fascinating that the author chose to show both sides and how even though both wanted the ultimate goal of saving these masterpieces, they had very different ideas of what that looked like. I am happy that I learned a great deal more about this operation, but I found that I struggled to stay engaged in the story. What I found lacking was the character development. I would have liked to learn more about the two women and to care for them more deeply. The novel is inspired by the true story of the looted Florentine art collections and Morelli leads her readers into the heart of war-torn Italy and what truly was at risk.

3.5 rounded up. Thanks to Netgalley, the author and publisher for the opportunity.

It was okay not a big fan but had some good times I would recommend but it’s before what I like to read

The Last Masterpiece by Laura Morelli is a historical novel that chronicles the journey*of some of the world’s most well known artworks during World War II. The story features two women from opposite sides of the conflict who are connected by their love for art.
The book is a great selection for fans of historical fiction, art history, and World War II. The book is not onlyengaging and educational* but also motivational and reflective, as it asks questions about the value and meaning of art, the impact of war on culture and humanity, and the responsibility of preserving and protecting the world’s heritage. The book is a masterpiece in itself, a homage to the artists and artworks that survived the war, and a reminder of the importance of art in our lives.

Morelli delivered another well researched story in this latest release on the push to save Florentine art. Most commonly known as the Monuments Men, the Allies Monuments, Fine Arts, and Archives Program aimed to protect the cultural property of those countries impacted by the atrocities of WWII. This latest book was at its core a female perspective of the race to secure some of that valuable art. With her characters Eva and Josie, Morelli provided readers with insight from both the Allied and Nazi sides. Each side had similar goals when it came to protecting the art but each side had very different motives. Many readers will be astounded by the lengths that museums across Italy went to to protect their culture. It was fascinating to learn the various hiding places that were used by the Florentines and even the Nazis. Eva and Josie had just enough of their own plot lines and not their mission to lighten the book. Morelli focused on the art but didn't shy away from the devastation of the war. This was a very well balanced book with its research and its characters. Easy to follow and very educational this was an enjoyable read.

For fans of historical fiction and nonfiction, this will be a good read to take in a story about a lesser-known fight during WWII. I enjoyed this mainly because I have never really read about the fight for the artistic history of Italy. Also, I enjoyed hearing from two different narrators, one from each side of the fight.

This story manages to take the reader on multiple journeys that all come to a satisfying end. There were a few questions I was left with, however. Though they did not take anything away from the overall satisfaction. The unanswered questions did take a star away only because I felt that something was missing between when the informant gives the information to the priest and when the Americans get to the prison.

I found the characters interesting and mostly enjoyable, even the antagonists. I felt a great deal of pride in Josie for working so hard and staying true to herself. I also felt a bit of pride in Eva and her storyline.

Overall, I would recommend this to other readers and would like to read more from the author.

Some of the names were hard to remember and I kept getting crossed, but I enjoyed this story. I read in the end notes that it was based on a true story. It still amazes me the things that people did during WWII to save objects that I tend to take for granted, but don't mean to. This story tells you about how some hid paintings to save from the Germans, while others would achieve the artworks by taking photos and doing their best to achieve these priceless works.

In this book we meet Eva and Josephine, we travel to Italy and the storyline is a bit like a movie plot. I have been trying hard to stay out of the WWII genre because the market tends to be flooded with books, but I am glad that I read this one about the preservation of this artwork. As a person that likes to paint, and loves to look at these works, I am so grateful.

I love Laura Morelli's novels, historical fiction which usually ties into art, especially in Italy. This one was so interesting, telling the stories of two women, an American woman sent to Italy to help itemize and protect the great works of art, and a German woman, working for the Reich as they "protected" the art of Florence as well. Their paths cross, of course! There are so many interesting details and facts in this novel that I felt like I learned a lot while reading. Laura Morelli has a blog where she shares interesting facts about Italy, art, and art history, too, if you are interested!

Thanks for my copy from Net Galley!

Go to Laura Morelli's website at:

http://www.lauramorelli.com

I love that this was inspired by a true story! Eva and Josephine are great characters and heroes for all. Loved it!

WWII is my favorite time to read about. The more I learn about what war was like, the more I want to know. The Last Masterpiece is a book all about the art that was found in the areas where the fighting was and how those historic pieces would be saved. I knew the story of Hitler and his top men wanting to set up their own museum and I knew of the bombings that destroyed unreplaceable pieces of art. In this book I learned of the mines and other places where art was stored. I learned of the lists and the pictures that were taken to be sure that every piece was returned to where it belonged when it was safe to do so.

The Last Masterpiece follows two women through the war and their work with protecting famous works of art in a war-stricken Italy. I struggled with this book. I felt like I was being told a story not reading a story. I wanted to be pulled in and shown the artwork, showed the museums and churches where it was being taken from, and showed the different safe houses. But instead, I just read about it. I like books with a lot of dialogue and The Last Masterpiece has a lot of non-dialogue reading. I found myself skimming some chapters just to get to the next dialogue. I had to work at reading this book and almost did not finish it, but I did.

In this fascinating dual perspective historical fiction novel, Laura Morelli brings the Monuments Men and their quest to retrieve European art and other beautiful and historically significant creations from the Nazis. Following Josie from Connecticut, who enlisted with the American army and gets attached to the Monuments Men in Florence, and Eva, a Austrian woman sent to Florence to photograph many of the artworks which her whose father may hide in their salt mines, Morelli brings readers to the strange limbo of the last years of World War II, particularly in Italy. As the fighting fades around them, Eva and Josie’s paths seem to be on a collision course, but both women must find their place in the new world order as they attempt to save these beautiful artworks from destruction. Morelli handles the two perspectives brilliantly, and all of her characters are well-developed and realistic, existing in between the pages, and the characters’ relationships with each other are realistic and entertaining. The side characters who interact with Eva and Josie are equally well-developed, and the characters really drive this story forward. Florence and the rest of Italy of course feature heavily throughout the novel, functioning as a living backdrop for this fascinating historical fiction novel.

Engaging historical fiction focusing on the work of the Monuments Men in Italy and their work to protect the greatest works of art. Told through the perspective of two engaging women - an American WAC and a German photographer- which explores the humanity of war

Thank you for this advanced copy of Laura Morelli’s The Last Masterpiece. Ms Morelli takes us on an unforgettable journey in this novel inspired by true events. Well developed characters and her detailed research makes this a must read for historical fiction fans. Take a trip back to WWII and feel like you are in the midst of unfolding events. I rated it 4 out of 5 stars.

Morelli adds another to the list of incredible WWII stories that have been released in the past few years. I really enjoyed the two different perspectives (German and American) she used for this novel. Based on true events, we must never forget. I highly recommend this novel.
#TheLastMasterpiece #NeverForget

Another winner by Laura Morelli! I love how she transports me to times and places I am homesick for even though I have never visited. I feel after reading her that I have a whole new layman's degree in art history.

A really thrilling read with wonderful research and detail

This is a historical novel based on the true story of the Monuments Men and Women, tasked with preserving western art from Nazi destruction and theft during World War II.

The story follows German photographer Eva Brunner and WAC stenographer Josephine Evans as they hunt for looted masterpieces across Nazi-occupied Italy.

They eventually meet and both change through these experiences. They rebuild their lives after it all ends. The Last Masterpiece is a fascinating read.

I never gave much thought to all the art in Europe until seeing the movie Monuments Men.
Morelli shows both sides: the Allies and the Axis and the story of art on the move during WWII.
The massive amounts of art that was both moved, plundered, and saved was staggering.
My sympathy was with the Allies as they tried to save and track down the missing art; the lists were endless.
I didn’t care for Eva, mostly because of the side she assisted in the book but what she does at the very end. I don’t understand her actions.
The author’s note was in depth at the end.