23 Mar Book Review: The Art Forger by B.A. Shapiro

There’s something irresistible about a good art-world thriller. The mystery, the deception, the shadowy figures pulling the strings behind masterpieces—it all makes for an intoxicating mix of intrigue and history. The Art Forger is exactly that kind of book. It dives deep into the world of art crime, forgery, and obsession, all wrapped up in a story that’s as much about personal ambition as it is about painting the perfect fake. If you love stories that blend history with suspense, this one is well worth your time.

What’s it about?

At the heart of The Art Forger is Claire Roth, a young artist whose career has been defined by both talent and scandal. Once a promising painter, she’s now working in near obscurity, spending her days making reproductions of famous paintings for an online art retailer. Claire’s talent is undeniable, but she’s also haunted by her past—years ago, she was involved in an art world controversy that left her blacklisted by galleries and critics alike.

Her quiet, frustrating existence is upended when she’s approached by Aiden Markel, a powerful and enigmatic gallery owner. Aiden makes her an offer that’s as tempting as it is dangerous: he presents her with what appears to be a long-lost painting from the infamous Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum heist, one of the most famous unsolved art thefts in history. The heist, which took place in 1990, resulted in the disappearance of priceless works by Vermeer, Rembrandt, and Degas, and the stolen paintings have never been recovered.

Aiden tells Claire that the painting—a Degas masterpiece—needs “a little restoration.” But what he’s really asking for is much more than that. He wants her to forge the painting, creating an exact replica that can be swapped out, while the original is quietly sold on the black market. If she agrees, he promises her a solo show at his prestigious gallery—an opportunity that could resurrect her career and finally give her the recognition she deserves.

Despite knowing the risks, Claire can’t resist. The lure of proving her talent, of finally reclaiming her place in the art world, is too strong. She agrees to the deal and begins the painstaking work of forging the painting. She studies Degas’s techniques, his brushstrokes, his use of light and texture, and slowly, obsessively, recreates the lost masterpiece.

But as she delves deeper into the forgery, she begins to suspect that the original painting may not be an original at all—that the painting she’s copying might itself be a forgery. This realization sends her down a rabbit hole of art world deception, leading her to uncover long-buried secrets about the Gardner heist, the true nature of art forgeries, and the lengths people will go to protect their reputations.

At the same time, Claire is wrestling with her own past. Years earlier, she had been involved with Isaac Cullion, a celebrated artist who took credit for one of her paintings—an incident that led to her being blacklisted when she tried to reveal the truth. That betrayal still lingers, shaping her decisions and her sense of self-worth. As her relationship with Aiden grows more complicated, she begins to wonder if history is repeating itself.

The novel weaves between different timelines—Claire’s present-day struggles, her past with Isaac, and glimpses into the 19th century, revealing letters from Isabella Stewart Gardner herself, which hint at secrets about the Degas painting in question. These historical interludes add depth to the story, blending real-life art history with fiction in a way that makes everything feel tantalizingly possible.

As Claire races to uncover the truth, she finds herself caught in a web of lies, deceit, and art-world power plays. The stakes become higher than just her career—her freedom, and even her life, could be on the line.

What This Chick Thinks

A fascinating deep dive into the art world

One of the best things about The Art Forger is how it immerses you in the technical side of painting. The descriptions of Claire’s work, the step-by-step process of creating a forgery, and the historical details about artists like Degas and Vermeer make it feel like you’re right there with her, watching the layers of paint dry. The level of research that went into this book is incredible, and it makes the story feel both authentic and deeply engaging.

A compelling and flawed protagonist

Claire is the perfect lead for this kind of story—brilliant but deeply flawed, ambitious but haunted by self-doubt. She’s a fascinating mix of confidence and vulnerability, someone who makes questionable choices but always remains sympathetic. Watching her grapple with the morality of what she’s doing, while also trying to navigate a world that has repeatedly shut her out, makes for a complex and emotional journey.

A mystery that keeps you guessing

Even though the novel is primarily about art and forgery, it’s also a thriller in its own right. The unraveling mystery of whether the stolen Degas is real, the deeper conspiracy surrounding the Gardner heist, and Claire’s gradual realization that she’s in way over her head all build a tension that keeps the pages turning.

Blending history with fiction

I love when books incorporate real historical events, and The Art Forger does this seamlessly. The use of the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum heist—a real unsolved crime—adds an extra layer of intrigue. The interwoven letters from Isabella herself give the novel a historical richness that makes the story feel even more compelling.

Final Thoughts

The Art Forger is a brilliant blend of history, suspense, and art-world drama. It’s a book about obsession, ambition, and the blurry line between genius and fraud. Whether you’re an art lover, a mystery fan, or just someone who enjoys a good page-turner, this novel delivers.

It’s smart, fast-paced, and filled with twists that keep you guessing. More than anything, it makes you think about what art really is—is it about talent, authenticity, or just perception? And if a forgery is perfect enough to fool the experts, does it even matter if it’s fake?

Rating: 9/10

Try it if you like

• The Goldfinch by Donna Tartt – Another novel about the art world, filled with intrigue, crime, and questions of authenticity.
• The Last Painting of Sara de Vos by Dominic Smith – A beautifully written novel that weaves together art, forgery, and history.
• The Forger’s Spell by Edward Dolnick – A fascinating true story about one of the greatest art forgeries of all time.