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coryanderson_'s review
adventurous
informative
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
hamckeon's review against another edition
5.0
I’m excited to be the first reviewer on Goodreads. I received an ARC of this book and think it’s a great addition to this series. It is such a fun, interesting, and educational book for kids about art and art heists. I love the QR codes throughout to show the different paintings. If you haven’t read this author yet, you should.
soph_wolf's review
adventurous
hopeful
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
genieinanovel's review
4.0
Three months after they stopped what would've been the greatest art fraud of all time, Art and Camille are once again on the trail of another mystery involving famous paintings for a new exhibit that Art's dad is partly in charge of. They believe that the paintings are going to be stolen, thanks to a mysterious woman that takes the same walk throughout the museum at the same time every day. And Art believes it's in connection to an art theft that happened almost exactly 30 years previous, and the same famous artists are being targeted.
This book isn't quite as action packed as its predecessor, but it's still good. It has more of a lowkey spy feel to it, and the stakes don't seem to be as high (at least, no one is out to kill Art and Camille this time). There's some good twists to the mystery that were well played. However, this time there weren't many chapters with the other side of what was happening (aka: the thieves) which was something I enjoyed in the previous book. Though I suppose it does add more to the mystery of it all.
What's cute in this story is you see how close Art and Camille have gotten since Art and his dad settled in D.C. They both look out for each other and even when they risk getting into trouble, decide to help the other because of their friendship. After all, once you escape a bunch of bad guys trying to kill you once, you're bonded for life.
Overall, I did enjoy this book, though I wasn't as wrapped up in the mystery like the previous one. The reason for that was the fact that we know who Art is this time and he does too. The amnesia in the first novel was definitely the hook of that story. Still, this was a great follow up and I can't wait to see what mystery Art and Camille unravel next!
This book isn't quite as action packed as its predecessor, but it's still good. It has more of a lowkey spy feel to it, and the stakes don't seem to be as high (at least, no one is out to kill Art and Camille this time). There's some good twists to the mystery that were well played. However, this time there weren't many chapters with the other side of what was happening (aka: the thieves) which was something I enjoyed in the previous book. Though I suppose it does add more to the mystery of it all.
What's cute in this story is you see how close Art and Camille have gotten since Art and his dad settled in D.C. They both look out for each other and even when they risk getting into trouble, decide to help the other because of their friendship. After all, once you escape a bunch of bad guys trying to kill you once, you're bonded for life.
Overall, I did enjoy this book, though I wasn't as wrapped up in the mystery like the previous one. The reason for that was the fact that we know who Art is this time and he does too. The amnesia in the first novel was definitely the hook of that story. Still, this was a great follow up and I can't wait to see what mystery Art and Camille unravel next!
lauriehnatiuk's review against another edition
4.0
Review to follow. This is for the audiobook version published by Tantor Media, narrated by P.J. Ochlan.
yapha's review against another edition
3.0
Art and Camille are back just in time to prevent another art heist in Washington, DC, this time at the National Portrait Gallery. QR codes provide easy access for readers to see the works of art. Although it isn't essential to have read [b:The Van Gogh Deception|30971738|The Van Gogh Deception|Deron R. Hicks|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1470980575l/30971738._SX50_.jpg|51589479] first, it helps provide background information. Give this to your avid readers while the wait for the next books from Stuart Gibbs and James Ponti. For grades 4 & up.
ARC provided by publisher
ARC provided by publisher
the_fabric_of_words's review against another edition
5.0
We read Deron Hicks' first book in this series, The Van Gogh Deception, quite a while ago. I featured it in my very first Holiday Picks series in 2018, and we loved it, and loved Hicks' writing. We then went back and read his Shakespeare Mysteries series, also for MG. But somehow I lost track of the Lost Art Mysteries series, and now there's another book out (published last month!), The Crown Heist, which I still haven't gotten from my library to read quite yet, but I'm betting is just as good.
In any case, we loved this thriller / mystery! We even went to Boston, Massachusetts, for other reasons, but we did make it a point to visit the Museum of Fine Art and had fun counting out the 42 steps mentioned in the book! We even saw the humidity control devices mentioned in the book, specifically in the musical instrument room. I WISH I had taken a picture of them!!! Darn. But they are very real.
We were also intrigued by the Isabella Gardner Museum theft and visited the museum, taking pictures of the stolen artwork there.
Twelve year olds Art and Camille are back doing what they do best -- thwarting art theives' elaborate plans and saving priceless pieces of artwork from disappearing.
When the same woman shows up at the same place, days in a row, and makes the extact same number of steps from one point to another inside the National Portrait Gallery in Washington, DC, Art knows, instinctively, a heist is in the planning.
But his father just started a new job as the person responsible for making sure nothing in the museum damages the portraits -- including the environment, the air, temperature, you name it. His father is busy installing new environmental sensors all over the museum, and Art can't say anything to embarass his dad. That might get him fired.
So Art is determined to gather actual hard proof before taking his suspicions to his father. At first, he tries to do this without his bf Camille, but she's pretty good at figuring out what's up and confronts him. If there's a mystery to unravel, she wants in.
I won't reveal what the two do to expose the plot, but I will say it's linked to a real art heist that took place at the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum on March 18, 1990, in which thieves dressed as police officers stole 13 pieces of art in 81 minutes. There really still are empty spots in place of the stolen artwork and the case has never been solved.
This book is also unique in that as the characters discuss each new piece of artwork there's a QR code next to it readers can scan and see the artwork and bit about it from various collections. It added to the fun of reading!
A super-fun read, moves at break-neck speed, and is sure to inspire. It's a perfect holiday gift!
Looking for more book suggestions for your 7th/8th grade classroom and students?
Visit my blog for more great middle grade book recommendations, free teaching materials and fiction writing tips: https://amb.mystrikingly.com/
In any case, we loved this thriller / mystery! We even went to Boston, Massachusetts, for other reasons, but we did make it a point to visit the Museum of Fine Art and had fun counting out the 42 steps mentioned in the book! We even saw the humidity control devices mentioned in the book, specifically in the musical instrument room. I WISH I had taken a picture of them!!! Darn. But they are very real.
We were also intrigued by the Isabella Gardner Museum theft and visited the museum, taking pictures of the stolen artwork there.
Twelve year olds Art and Camille are back doing what they do best -- thwarting art theives' elaborate plans and saving priceless pieces of artwork from disappearing.
When the same woman shows up at the same place, days in a row, and makes the extact same number of steps from one point to another inside the National Portrait Gallery in Washington, DC, Art knows, instinctively, a heist is in the planning.
But his father just started a new job as the person responsible for making sure nothing in the museum damages the portraits -- including the environment, the air, temperature, you name it. His father is busy installing new environmental sensors all over the museum, and Art can't say anything to embarass his dad. That might get him fired.
So Art is determined to gather actual hard proof before taking his suspicions to his father. At first, he tries to do this without his bf Camille, but she's pretty good at figuring out what's up and confronts him. If there's a mystery to unravel, she wants in.
I won't reveal what the two do to expose the plot, but I will say it's linked to a real art heist that took place at the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum on March 18, 1990, in which thieves dressed as police officers stole 13 pieces of art in 81 minutes. There really still are empty spots in place of the stolen artwork and the case has never been solved.
This book is also unique in that as the characters discuss each new piece of artwork there's a QR code next to it readers can scan and see the artwork and bit about it from various collections. It added to the fun of reading!
A super-fun read, moves at break-neck speed, and is sure to inspire. It's a perfect holiday gift!
Looking for more book suggestions for your 7th/8th grade classroom and students?
Visit my blog for more great middle grade book recommendations, free teaching materials and fiction writing tips: https://amb.mystrikingly.com/
jbrooxd's review against another edition
3.0
[I received an electronic review copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.]
3.5 stars = Good+
Fun art-based mystery with ties to a real-life heist. Nice continuation of the story started in The Van Gogh Deception. Art is brilliant and Camille is clever and bold. They make a great team. My review copy didn't do well with the QR codes, but I love this feature that will take readers to photos of the art being referenced. It's such a creative feature. The epilogue launches a new thread that could make for an interesting third book in the series.
3.5 stars = Good+
Fun art-based mystery with ties to a real-life heist. Nice continuation of the story started in The Van Gogh Deception. Art is brilliant and Camille is clever and bold. They make a great team. My review copy didn't do well with the QR codes, but I love this feature that will take readers to photos of the art being referenced. It's such a creative feature. The epilogue launches a new thread that could make for an interesting third book in the series.
bbliophile's review
3.5
Why middle grade mysteries are my go-to "I'm feeling really anxious right now" reads I do not know, but they are and I love them for it. I really enjoyed this one. Even if the American pronunciation of the names of Dutch artists in the audiobooks are a little grating to my Dutch ears.