I just finished The Lost Van Gogh by Jonathan Santlofer and here is my review.

Alexis is a huge art lover and likes to buy portraits. When she brings the portrait home, she doesn’t know someone else is looking for it. When her partner Luke realizes that the painting has another painting underneath, their minds are blown when they realize it’s a Van Gogh. It’s not a painting ever seen before and looks like it’s the last self portrait he ever did.
They need to have it authenticated but on the way Alexis is attacked and the painting stolen. They can’t let it go which leads to Luke reaching out to Smith, an ex- interpol agent turned PI. The chase gets more heated the second they leave US soil. Finding the painting is more dangerous than any of them realized.

I loved this book. I am a huge art person and reading about the underground art world…. Fascinating!! There was a heck of a lot going on. We jump back to the past pretty infrequently giving us the backstory of how the painting ended up being covered and how it made it out of nazi germany and to the USA. It also gives us a little glimpse into Van Gogh's last moments.

What didn’t I like? Well, sometimes it was a little hard to see who’s POV it was because it didn’t say at the start of the chapter. That’s a huge pet peeve. I shouldn’t have to guess. You want multiple POV fine but refrain from using I for one person then the name when it’s their POV. I got confused a few times. Not cool.

That’s my only gripe. The action was great, the pace was excellent. I loved the characters. Smith was my favorite. I can’t help it, he was brilliant. I loved that Alex’s dad is an art thief and he was right in the thick of it. It was all very exciting and I was thoroughly entertained from start to finish. I don’t usually mention covers of books but this cover is perfect.

There were so many excellent details in the book and it was very well researched.

4.5 stars (just the POV lost that half star)

Thank you @sourcebooks and @netgalley for my gifted copies (ebook and paperback)

#sourcebooks #thelostvangogh #jonathansantofer #thrillereader #mysterythriller #art #vangogh #bookreview #bookblogger #readerblog #bookishcommunity #bookstagram

Having read The Lost Mona Lisa, I was very excited to be given an ARC of this by NetGalley. Fast paced with many twists and turns, we follow artist Luke Perrone and his girlfriend Alex as they search for a lost painting that Alex bought at a garage sale and then discovering it may be a lost Van Gogh, only to have it stolen from them. Likewise, there are more individuals, some good and some sinister, looking for this painting reported to have disappeared at Van Gogh's funeral at least a hundred years before. It seemed as if every character had a secret, which made it interesting to unravel, with some mysteries that will surprise you. As an art lover, I enjoyed all the references to many impressionist artists and their works. But I also felt that this story fell short where The Lost Mona Lisa shone in the storyline. However, It did make me think about Van Gogh's demise, whether there was truth in how he died. But overall, I enjoyed it. I do love stories about lost art, and the redemption of art finding its home. Many thanks to #netgalley #thelostvangogh #jonathansantlofer for the opportunity to read and review this book.

"The Lost Van Gogh: A Novel" by Jonathan Santlofer is a captivating work of fiction that combines art, mystery, and intrigue. Santlofer demonstrates a masterful storytelling ability, weaving a narrative that seamlessly integrates historical elements with a gripping fictional plot.

One of the strengths of the novel lies in Santlofer's skillful portrayal of the art world and the intricate details surrounding a lost Van Gogh painting. The blending of fact and fiction creates a rich and immersive experience for readers, especially those with an appreciation for art history. The characters are well-developed, and the plot unfolds with a balance of suspenseful moments and gradual revelations, maintaining a sense of intrigue throughout.

However, some readers may find certain plot twists somewhat predictable, especially if familiar with mystery and art-themed novels. While the novel provides a compelling overview, those seeking an in-depth exploration of the art world or more profound character analysis may find certain aspects of the narrative wanting.

In conclusion, "The Lost Van Gogh" is a commendable novel that successfully combines art and mystery, offering a compelling and engaging story. Santlofer's ability to create a vivid and atmospheric setting adds to the overall appeal for readers. While the novel may follow some familiar tropes within its genre, the fusion of historical elements and fictional storytelling distinguishes it as an intriguing and enjoyable read for those captivated by art-themed mysteries.

What amazing book it had so many twists and turns I learned a lot. I like how the story started out with this painting when. When the girlfriend went up to upstate New York and came back and gave it to Luke and Luke started to clean it. And this is when it really became really interesting. I couldn't believe how much stuff I learned in this book about this one painting and how people were involved in this and it was like a crime mystery story. People were very interesting and everybody was somehow related to everybody in this book. I
Like how it went back-and-forth in time. And how this painting was painted over because it was trying to get out of paris during the forties. And it's interesting how Luke got involved too. Because they went to Amsterdam. And this is when things got really interesting. And some people We're not even about it because they didn't realize what really was behind it.. Luke's girlfriend's father he found out what's in for jail for fraud in the In the art world. Especially when they went to Amsterdam. Things started really heating up. And this was really interesting because interpol was involved and you'll love the ending

I started loving this book, but then I realized that it was part of a series apparently. I thought that maybe I could read it anyway but there were many references to the previous book The Last Mona Lisa, a fictional take on the life of Vincent Peruggia. In this book, a long lost painting by Van Gogh appears in an antique shop, covered by another painting, and somehow it ends in the hands of, you know who? Luke Perrone , great grandson of Peruggia (what are the chances) This man has a magnet for great masters’ art theft. I dont think that this one works as a standalone. I’m going to read The Last Mona Lisa and then this one again to see if that way I can find it more interesting. For that reason I think it is not fair to rate the book but I can’t send my feedback without it. I should have known better before requesting it, because the characters were not believable for me so the dialogues didn’t work. Great cover!

I wish I would’ve realized this was a second book, then I would’ve read the first one first and maybe this would’ve worked for me a bit more. I found it really hard to keep track of all of the characters and was lost quite a bit. I also thought it was a bit long in places. But I do appreciate how the author was highlighting how the art world was affected by the Nazis during that regime.

3.5 stars

A follow up to The Last Mona Lisa, this story also follows Luke Perrone and his girlfriend Alex as they deal with the shady aspects of the art world and espionage. I enjoyed reading about these characters and their adventures!

As a big fan of Van Gogh and history, I loved the premise and I appreciated the research that the author did for this book, but I wish the plot itself was less choppy. There were exciting moments, but most of the time I just felt confused.

Pub Date: Out Now!

This eARC was provided by the publisher and NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.

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I think that Santlofer has found his niche writing suspenseful novels about art works. This is his second, following on a story about the Mona Lisa. I think that anyone who enjoyed Dan Brown’s novels will consider his a worthy colleague.

This time, as the title indicates, the missing work (if it indeed is) is by Van Gogh. Luke and Alexis are excited by the possibility and want to claim it. He is the great grandson of an art thief and Alexis is familiar with this trade as well. They engage with an investigator and Interpol as they seek answers. 

All in all, here is a fast paced story with an intriguing plot. The short chapters encourage the reader to keep going. Perfect for those who are seeking a page turner.

Many thanks to Sourcebooks Landmark for this title. All opinions are my own.

Luke and Alex may have discovered a lost painting by Van Gogh. But, before they can get it authenticated, the painting is stolen. They contact an acquaintance, Interpol Agent, John Washington. And it is not long that John discovers there is more to this than he ever imagined.

This is very well researched with quite a bit of enjoyable history. I mean, who doesn’t love to read about Van Gogh! And the mystery surrounding the painting…is it real? Is it fake? This is what kept the story moving for me!

I have only read one other novel by this author, The Last Mona Lisa. I enjoyed that book quite a bit more than this one. This story just seems to be all over the place. It is a bit discombobulated and unorganized. Now, as I always say…read this for yourself to form your own opinion.

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

I love historical novels about the art world so l was thrilled to be gifted a copy of this book. I didn’t read the previous book about the Mona Lisa but I am putting it on my “to be read list” now. I thoroughly enjoyed the book and although I I can understand how some readers might not, it was definitely one of my favorite reads this winter. In a way it reminded me of Dan Brown’s books.

I love a good book with intrigue and mystery that spans different continents as well as multiple timeliness. The Lost Van Gogh is that kind of book.

I love the idea of finding a treasure at an antique shop, not really knowing what you have is priceless. And has been searched for for over 100 years. When Alex and Luke uncover a self-portrait of Van Gogh and try to have it authenticated, they are entangled into a web of black market and darknet dealings of Nazi looted art being sold to the highest bidder.

Definitely fast paced and engaging where you learn a little bit of history, too.

Thank you to the author, Sourcebooks Landmark and NetGalley, for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

The premise of this book sounded great, but unfortunately the execution is lacking. There are so.so.many.different POVs and no way to keep them straight, various timelines, lots of jumping back and forth - not to mention the rampant sexualisation of all the female characters. Has to be a male writer who can produce this particular type of trashy take. At the same time, all the (many, many) characters were underdeveloped and there were too many references to happenings in a previous book, while not making it clear from the get-go that this is a book in a series.

To be fair, I did enjoy the historical aspect of the story, but unfortunately it got lost in all the build-up to suspense and spy stuff, which got tiresome and way beyond my limits of credulity.

What a ride bouncing between points of view!

As someone who loves Van Gogh and went to art school, I was really intrigued at the idea of historical fiction based on reality.

At the beginning, I was a little confused due to the changing of points of view without chapter titles to give away whose viewpoint it was from, but eventually got the hang of things and things started picking up. Due to all the characters, I had to create my own mind map to keep them all organized while reading.

There was a lot of movement and action towards the end of the book and lots of facts strewn about throughout the whole book. I really appreciated the authors research and personal illustrations featured at the end of the book.

Thank you to the author, Jonathan Santlofer, Sourcebooks Landmark and NetGalley for the eARC copy of The Lost Van Gogh!

The Lost Van Gogh by Jonathan Santlofer is a well-plotted, highly compelling mystery that I thoroughly enjoyed reading. This was actually my first time reading a book by the author, but I can honestly say it won’t be the last. A huge thank you to SourceBooks Landmark, the author and NetGalley for the advanced electronic copy of the book.

With a storyline told from multiple perspectives of the characters The Lost Van Gogh is an immersive, suspenseful thriller that devles into the competitive, high-stakes art world and its history of theft, forgery and murder.

There have been rumors and whisperings of a lost Van Gogh portrait for many, many years throughout the art world, but no evidence that it truly exists. When artist Luke Perrone, the great-grandson of the man who stole the Mona Lisa and his girlfriend Alexis Verde, daughter of an infamous art thief find what could possibly be the lost Van Gogh portrait behind a mundane purchased piece of art they decide to have it appraised, but Alexis is robbed of the art while on her way to meet the appraiser. They soon reunite with Interpol agent John Washington Smith and quickly become ensnared in a furious race to retrieve the stolen piece of art.

This intriguing story grabbed my attention from the very beginning and kept me turning pages until the end. The Lost Van Gogh is a captivating, fast-paced mystery filled with secrets, lies and deception. If you love art and history then this is a book you will not want to miss out on.

Thank you Netgalley for the e-ARC of this book. I began as an art student and love a good art theft story, so this was a no-brainer to request. Let me tell you...THIS BOOK EXCEEDED MY EXPECTATIONS!!!!

After going to the Van Gogh immersive experience, I was more invested in the story of Van Gogh. And this book was a great read to learn more and the author was great at telling a story that has been told many times in such an amazing way.

This book is the story of the great-grandson of an art thief and the daughter of an art thief find what may be the rumored lost Van Gogh, and then it is stolen from them. These two go on a deep dive into the world of stolen art to try to find it and link up with Detective Jonah Washington for help. This story shines a light on the dark world of art theft and all of the stolen art taken during WWII. This is also a story about VINCENT VAN GOGH!!!

I recommend this book to everyone who is a lover of mystery, art, and history. This is my honest opinion and this book has made me a lover of the author.

📚 #BOOKREVIEW 📚
The Lost Van Gogh by Jonathan Santlofer.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ / Pages: 400 / Genre: Historical Fiction

Alex and her boyfriend Luke happen upon a painting that, upon closer inspection, has been painted over what looks like an authentic Vincent Van Gogh original self-portrait. What follows is a mugging and then a desperate hunt to find out more about the painting’s origins, which leads them to the dangerous people who orchestrated the mugging. Meanwhile, a group of INTERPOL officers are also on the hunt for the painting and to bring down the art thieves.

Although I’m not one for historical fiction, my husband and I are big fans of Vincent Van Gogh—we even named our dog after him—#VincentVanAussie. The Lost Van Gogh is also mostly set in the present with flashbacks into the past to give insight into relevant characters and where the painting came from and how it came to be spared from the Nazis all these years. I really enjoyed this fast-paced thrilling adventure and just might have to start reading more historical fiction this year.

Thank you @NetGalley, @Bookmarked, and @JonathanSantlofer for the advanced copy of this book.

A well written historical novel second in a series.I was immediately drawn into this story of stolen art and it kept me turning the pages .Another great read by this author.#netgalley #sourcebooks

Little too descriptive for my taste; more telling than showing. I picked this up because I was Intrigued by the concept as I love art history, Van Gogh, and art theft during WW2 so I should have loved this. I’m so disappointed because I want a book like this, I want to read this type of novel but not with this writing style and awful characters.

I kept seeing reviews that this is a follow up to another book but no where on goodreads, Storygraph, or Netgalley does it say it’s part of a series.

When it comes to characters, you can tell this was written by a man…First the main character, who is an artist, talks about how his favorite artist is a notorious anti semite but hey if you picked a fave artist based on their personal lives there’d be few left…um okay? Not a flex, PICK ONE OF THE FEW LEFT THEN you’re basically saying “yeah who cares if he was anti semitic I just love his work/vibes and ✨separate the art from the artist✨” and this book is about Van Gogh why not make him a fan of his?

Second, he describes his girlfriend and the author says and I quote “no makeup, wet hair in a ponytail she looked sixteen” WHAT IS THAT SUPPOSED TO MEAN?!

Alex is the main focus of the book and yet it’s not from her POV but her boyfriends? Absolutely pointless and makes zero sense but given the way the author writes (sexualizes/objectifies) female characters maybe it was a blessing.

After reading other reviews about how the characterization of women only gets worse, I will not be continuing

2.5/5 stars

Well, this isn’t the review I thought I’d be writing…😞

I loved THE LAST MONA LISA and still talk it up to this day. So when I saw another art heist thriller coming out, I jumped at the chance to read it early.

Unfortunately, VAN GOGH didn’t grab me like Mona did. Too many POVs, and too many players in the mix in general. Amateurs somehow out-sleuthing INTERPOL. Another reviewer said it felt like an NCIS episode—I think I agree. A little too action movie-y for me. 🫣

However, Santlofer shines in his ability to weave in important as well as lesser known art history. I learn SO much from his books. 🎨🖼️

Given the horrific explosion of antisemitism over the last 3 months, I truly appreciated him highlighting what we as Jews faced during the Holocaust, especially through the lens of looted/degenerate art. ✡️

👉 This would be a good book for anyone who likes globetrotting thrills but stays away from anything more gory, creepy, or violent. 🕵🏾

“The Lost Van Gogh” begins with the casual purchase of an inexpensive older painting. This is just the beginning of a fast-paced story which starts when the painting is found to be a lost treasure and is stolen as well.

Luke, Alex, and Private Investigator Smith go on a thrilling ride trying to recover this painting. I have not read a historical fiction, a thriller, that was done quite as well as Jonathan Santlofer’s “The Lost Van Gogh” since “The Da Vinci Code.” This book delivers a thrilling mystery and is loaded with intrigue and suspense - when you get to the end, through that maze of mystery you are left wondering how accurate the history, we have been given over the years has recorded Van Gogh’s life and what could have possibly been left out when his story was told..

Historical fiction, when done well, is always a pleasure to read. I, as a historian, my education steeped in historical facts for many years and seldom find a historical fiction that I enjoy. This book was well done and was a great story.

All opinions and observations are mine alone. Thank you to Sourcebooks Landmark for sharing this ARC.