Author: Jonathan Santlofer
Publisher: Sourcebooks Landmark
Released: August 17, 2021
Received: NetGalley

The Last Mona Lisa, written by Jonathan Santlofer, is somehow everything and more than what I could have expected. This is a novel perfect for art lovers, as it merges historical fiction with elements of the truth.

Vincent Peruggia stole the Mona Lisa in 1911. This is not fiction but fact. Many people don’t know about this moment in history, yet one art professor can’t seem to let it go. This man is the descendant of Peruggia, and his love of art and history creates an obsession of sorts. Obsession for the truth and understanding.

Wow. I’ve read many art history novels in my days, but nothing quite like The Last Mona Lisa. This novel perfectly blends history with thriller elements, creating a shockingly captivating tale. I love how seamlessly Santlofer carried a component into the next and how intense the story became.

Then again, I’m fairly biased. I love this sort of story and feel like there isn’t enough like it in the world. So naturally, I’m going to cherish what is out there. That includes The Last Mona Lisa, though even so, this book did manage to surprise me at several points.

That’s the mark of good writing if you ask me. Regardless of your knowledge of art history – no matter if you knew about the long history of the Mona Lisa or not – this is a fun and informative book to dive into.

Thanks to Sourcebooks Landmark and #NetGalley for making this book available for review. All opinions expressed are my own.