Fatal Forgeries

Fatal Forgeries

Abstract Aliases paints art recovery expert Laurel Beacham into a corner in a globe-trotting mystery.

Series: Bodies of Art Mysteries


When art recovery expert Laurel Beacham’s personal and professional worlds collide, she learns no good theft goes unpunished. Incomplete intel and a missing source compel her to make a huge mistake, and she’s left with a divided team. Every retrieved masterpiece has a price—and the cost of forgeries can be deadly. This time Laurel could lose not only her best lead, but also her most trusted ally.

The stakes have never been higher, forcing her and her partner, Jack, to go on the run, crisscrossing Europe to evade the criminals. Except instead of two masterminds working against them, they realize there might be three. With no time to lose, Laurel and her team must pool their resources and work to set aside their differences before they become the next fatalities.


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Praise

This author is sheer perfection when it comes to using descriptions and locations that are richly done and offer sharp details throughout the entirety of the story.
-- Suspense Magazine
Book Review Mystery Magazine
I highly recommend the entire series.
-- Kathleen Costa
Kings River Life Magazine
International hijinks and art heists and suspense! Nothing is what it seems--or is it? Clever, clever plotting and great storytelling in the continuing adventures of Laurel and her crew. Once again, I find myself saying this is the best Jack and Laurel story so far. I can see at this point how the author is tying together loose ends that were set up in the first three books, while at the same time leaving the plot open for another book, which, frankly, I cannot wait to read. I think to get maximum enjoyment of this series it is best read in order (start with Counterfeit Conspiracies). These stories are fast-paced romps with an intricate, ongoing plot. I love the international intrigue and settings and accidental art education I have discovered in all of them, and one of the things I particularly enjoyed in this new book four is how Laurel's loosely knit team is growing tighter and working together. The continuing development of Cassie and Nico as characters stands out here, and the tenuous relationship between the still-mysterious Jack and Laurel creates some underlying and enjoyable tension. Some really jaw-dropping storytelling revolving around Laurel adds a new dimension, and lot of new information about who Jack is comes to light. I enjoyed all of that tremendously as well as the sense that the larger plot elements of the ongoing story are really coming together. And did I mention art heists? Kudos all around!
-- Ellie's Read
Book Reviewer
The Bodies of Art mysteries are consistently some of my favorite books…My only complaint is that once I start reading, I don’t want to stop! Setting: Racing between London, England, and Barcelona, Spain Characters: • Laurel Beacham – Smart, daring, beautiful art recovery specialist • Jack Hawkes – Dashing, intelligent, agent of The Crown • Nico – Highly skilled tech wizard on Laurel’s team • Cassie – Laurel’s assistant/right-hand woman Plot: Fatal Forgeries begins with Laurel doing what she does best – a covert operation to recover a stolen piece of art. She has visions of reuniting the true owners with the priceless treasure – just as soon as she and Nico get the piece safely away, that is. Laurel makes it safely back to Beacham Foundation headquarters in London, but it seems that Nico has been sidetracked. The question, given the events that have recently unfolded in previous books of this series, quickly becomes: did he leave willingly or not? What happened with Nico weighs on Laurel’s mind, especially since it seems like the work of art they just recovered might not be the real thing. More questions hang over the heads of Laurel and her team, which makes everything even more complicated. Three separate enemies come to mind – and one of them might just be Laurel’s father. With Nico out of the picture, Laurel is left on her own when Jack is called to service and Cassie is needed elsewhere. She relies on her wits and backbone to elude a kidnapper and a mugger, escaping to a quiet country house until reuniting with Jack. As much as they would love to enjoy the peace and down time, Laurel and Jack are on the run. Whether they end up one step ahead or one step behind remains to be seen. Pacing: Fast and furious! Predictability: Low Wild Card: The Bodies of Art mysteries are consistently some of my favorite books. Each installment of the story is full of rich references to works of art and detailed descriptions of sights, sounds, and scenes from locations around the world. As the story unfolds, I’m always pushing around the pieces of the plot puzzle, trying to keep up with the action playing out on the page. Ritter Ames creates complex and challenging characters who carry out her plots and reel readers in. My only complaint is that once I start reading, I don’t want to stop! It’s hard to set the story aside when it’s time to get to work or sleep. This book (and the series as a whole) is exciting, enticing, and engaging – not to be missed.
-- Jenna Czaplewski
Girl with Book Lungs blog
I have loved all of the books of the Bodies of Art Mystery series but Fatal Forgeries tops all the others! Moving from fast paced to supersonic, the action barely slows down even for those wonderful getting-to-know-you moments between Laurel and Jack. There are so many bits and pieces to pick up that I read the book twice back to back. I got it the first time, but between characters that I love and clues that I barely noticed until Laurel figured them out, I found that I enjoyed it just as much the second time around. I adore Laurels team and love getting to spend time with them. And then, there is that amazing feeling that I am spending time in Europe discovering amazing art and architecture, a whirlwind trip to be sure but still fantastic. I believe that it would be possible to enjoy the book greatly without having read the earlier stories because Ritter Ames weaves in previous encounters enough to keep the series novice in the flow; however, I think most readers would enjoy it even more after having read at least the preceding book, Abstract Alias. Each story has self-contained elements but they all work towards one major goal.
-- Jeanie Jackson
Goodreads Book Reviewer


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