(I received a free copy of this book from Net Galley in exchange for an honest review.)

It is 1948, and few in Belgium live comfortably enough to haggle over payment—particularly those who make their living outside the law. Kek Huuygens is an exception. As far as his wife knows, this dapper gentleman is an art appraiser who moves in the finest circles. But although Kek knows all there is to know about art, he does not appraise it. He moves it—from one thief to another. Kek is the finest smuggler in Europe, and he charges accordingly. After all, his wife has expensive taste.
A miniature masterpiece by the Dutchman Frans Hals has gone missing from Sotheby's. Kek has twenty-four hours to move it from Brussels to Madrid, avoiding all the police of Western Europe and a murderous thief who feels he has been double crossed. The job will make him a fortune—if he survives long enough to collect it.

Originally published in 1970, this fantastic little mystery/thriller is set in 1948 and has all the hallmarks of a classic heist-smuggling story. This is the second book in the Kek Huuygens series and is quite enjoyable.

What's not to love: a clever MC who not only has a thief (who may or may not want Kek dead) on his case, but a wife with expensive taste that he needs to look after; a chase across Western Europe; a massive financial payoff for Kek (provided he doesn't get caught in the meantime); and wonderful dialogue and settings that really bring this story to life.

It is a shame this author wasn't more well-known while he was alive. I hope the reprints of his work help give him the attention he deserved.


Paul
ARH