Review of Artist, Lover, Forger, Thief

I interviewed author Sheila Sharpe last week and got a peek behind the scenes of Artist, Lover, Forger, Thief. You can check it out HERE.

More about Artist, Lover, Forger, Thief

Artist, Lover, Forger, Thief is a riveting, wildly entertaining, complex, and adrenaline-fueled art crime novel that is as intriguing as it is satisfying. Nick McCoy wants out of the art forgery business but not until he exacts revenge on the man who murdered his family years ago. Kate O'Dade, McCoy's former therapist, comes to him for help after mysteriously receiving a painting of Matisse's Open Window from an unknown benefactor. This seemingly innocent meeting to determine its authenticity sets off a chain of events that will take McCoy, O'Dade, Cromwell and his new team of investigators from San Diego to England, and from art forgery to murder.

More about Sheila Sharpe

Sheila Sharpe has been a therapist for more than forty years, specializing in treating trauma, couples, and artists.  Being a detective of sorts to determine patients’ issues and their solutions like she does in The Ways We Love, along with her past history as an artist and fascination with art forgery, led to the creation of her new fiction book series, the Kate O’Dade Art Crime Novels, with Artist, Lover, Forger, Thief  being the first book of the series,

launching in April 2025.

Her roots in art are long and deep.  A painter and storyteller since early childhood, Sharpe earned an undergraduate degree in painting and sculpture, as well as a degree in English Literature, from Connecticut College.  Next, she earned an MFA in painting and film criticism from the University of California – San Diego, where she also taught both of those subjects.

Following her stint at UCSD, Sharpe used these creative and artistic skills working as an art teacher and social worker, before earning a PhD in clinical psychology.As a therapist and struggling artist, Sharpe began investigating the dark side of the art world, especially art forgery. This research, plus Sharpe’s therapy with creative people, led her to uncover why certain talented but traumatized artists became brilliant forgers.  This research serves as the basis for the Kate O’Dade Art Crime Novels book series.

Sharpe lives in southern California, with her husband, Michael, a professor emeritus at UCSD.

Catch up with Sheila:

Website: https://pictbooks.tours/J90qZoiY

Instagram: @sheilasharpe_writer

Twitter: @SheilaSharpe19

Facebook: @sheilasharpenovel

BlueSky: @sheilasharpeauthor.bsky.social

Thoughts about Artist, Lover, Forger, Thief 

Artist, Lover, Forger, Thief is a complicated game of wits: the investigators vs. the criminals. And to add another twist, even though they might seem to be forging partnerships, many of the criminals are also working against each other. Perhaps the most powerful aspect of this crime novel is that you might find yourself drawn to the lawless side - rationalizing, sympathizing, wondering what you would do in their shoes.

Although the majority of the book is a cat and mouse game of investigators and criminals trying to outsmart each other, the action really ramps up toward the end. You'll also be asking yourself Who are the good guys? Who are the bad guys?

There is a bit of information drops about the past that may leave you wondering if you missed Book 1 of this series. But this is the first book, although a prequel tying up some of those tantalizing tidbits from the characters' pasts is on the path to publication.

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