Jennifer S. Alderson's Blog, page 3
July 20, 2019
Art Crimes as Inspiration for a Thriller - Marked for Revenge
Art Crimes as Inspiration for a Thriller - Marked for Revenge
When you think about art crimes, I bet the image that pops into your head is of a suave, refined thief in a tuxedo slipping in and out of a well-guarded museum without being detected.
In many ways, art crimes are glorified in films and television shows. Classics such as The Thomas Crown Affair, the Ocean Eleven series, and Entrapment, as well as new shows on subscriber channels such as NetFlix and Videoland, portray art thieves as sophisticated gentleman robbers who are more interested in outsmarting the police and museum security than keeping the artwork for themselves.
These representations are worlds away from the real-life criminal masterminds behind most art thefts. These aren’t art lovers or smooth criminals, but members of underworld organizations who couldn’t care less about the artist’s skills, painting technique, or importance to art history.
According to Interpol, the majority of paintings and sculptures stolen from private homes and museums in Western Europe make their way to Eastern Europe, where they are further handled. These pieces are resold to louche dealers who sell it on to unsuspecting clients, are sometimes forged and resold as two originals, or used as a down payment for a drugs or arms deal.
Ironically, the skyrocketing value of modern art in the 1990s is to blame. When record-breaking auction sales of Picassos, Van Goghs, Monets, Warhols, and the like began making international news, criminal organizations took note. Quite soon the same kinds of paintings earning millions at auction were being stolen from European and American museums.
As a mystery author passionate about art history, using this connection between the Eastern European criminal underworld and Western art museums as the basis for my latest novel, Marked for Revenge, was an obvious choice.
While writing this thriller about forgeries, museum thefts, and organized crime, I didn’t have trouble finding real world examples from which to draw inspiration for my characters. When searching for underworld organizations specializing in art crimes, I discovered several known gangs existed. Scary gangs with silly names such as Group Amerika and Arkan’s Tigers topped my newspaper and internet searches.
One stood out among the rest – a gang Interpol has dubbed the ‘Balkan Bandits’ and ‘Pink Panthers’. Why two names? The first is because Interpol suspects most of the criminals in this network are based out of Croatia, Serbia, Montenegro, and Bosnia and Hertzegotava. The group earned the second name after they successfully executed a robbery they copied from a Pink Panther film.
Interpol suspects this ring of jewel, art and antiquities thieves of committing more than two-hundred audacious crimes during which they stole around four-hundred million euros worth of jewels, antiques, and artwork from private homes, museums, galleries, and monuments spread across Europe. And when I say audacious, I mean it. Think speed boats, hang gliders, helicopters, rappelling, and the like.
Interpol believes Pink Panther’s network consists of twenty to thirty experienced thieves, with facilitators in various cities providing logistical assistance. Other sources estimate there are up to two-hundred and fifty members active in this criminal organization. Who exactly these criminals work for – and whether the Balkan Bandits is really one or several of the crime families based in the Balkans – is still a mystery.
This group provided the perfect example of how Robber Hood, my fictional gang of art thieves, would operate.
As long as artwork fetches millions, art crimes will be big business. As an art lover, I am saddened by this situation. As a mystery author, these kinds of thefts provide endless inspiration for future, art-related mysteries.
Marked for Revenge: An Art Heist Thriller
An adrenaline-fueled adventure set in the Netherlands, Croatia, Italy, and Turkey about stolen art, the mafia, and a father’s vengeance.
When researcher Zelda Richardson begins working at a local museum, she doesn’t expect to get entangled with an art theft, knocked unconscious by a forger, threatened by the mob, or stalked by drug dealers.
To make matters worse, a Croatian gangster is convinced Zelda knows where a cache of recently pilfered paintings is. She must track down an international gang of art thieves and recover the stolen artwork in order to save those she loves most.
The trouble is, Zelda doesn’t know where to look. Teaming up with art detective Vincent de Graaf may be her only hope at salvation.
The trail of clues leads Zelda and Vincent on a pulse-pounding race across Europe to a dramatic showdown in Turkey that may cost them their lives.
Available for purchase as eBook and paperback on Amazon: http://getbook.at/MarkedForRevenge
When you think about art crimes, I bet the image that pops into your head is of a suave, refined thief in a tuxedo slipping in and out of a well-guarded museum without being detected.
In many ways, art crimes are glorified in films and television shows. Classics such as The Thomas Crown Affair, the Ocean Eleven series, and Entrapment, as well as new shows on subscriber channels such as NetFlix and Videoland, portray art thieves as sophisticated gentleman robbers who are more interested in outsmarting the police and museum security than keeping the artwork for themselves.
These representations are worlds away from the real-life criminal masterminds behind most art thefts. These aren’t art lovers or smooth criminals, but members of underworld organizations who couldn’t care less about the artist’s skills, painting technique, or importance to art history.
According to Interpol, the majority of paintings and sculptures stolen from private homes and museums in Western Europe make their way to Eastern Europe, where they are further handled. These pieces are resold to louche dealers who sell it on to unsuspecting clients, are sometimes forged and resold as two originals, or used as a down payment for a drugs or arms deal.
Ironically, the skyrocketing value of modern art in the 1990s is to blame. When record-breaking auction sales of Picassos, Van Goghs, Monets, Warhols, and the like began making international news, criminal organizations took note. Quite soon the same kinds of paintings earning millions at auction were being stolen from European and American museums.
As a mystery author passionate about art history, using this connection between the Eastern European criminal underworld and Western art museums as the basis for my latest novel, Marked for Revenge, was an obvious choice.
While writing this thriller about forgeries, museum thefts, and organized crime, I didn’t have trouble finding real world examples from which to draw inspiration for my characters. When searching for underworld organizations specializing in art crimes, I discovered several known gangs existed. Scary gangs with silly names such as Group Amerika and Arkan’s Tigers topped my newspaper and internet searches.
One stood out among the rest – a gang Interpol has dubbed the ‘Balkan Bandits’ and ‘Pink Panthers’. Why two names? The first is because Interpol suspects most of the criminals in this network are based out of Croatia, Serbia, Montenegro, and Bosnia and Hertzegotava. The group earned the second name after they successfully executed a robbery they copied from a Pink Panther film.
Interpol suspects this ring of jewel, art and antiquities thieves of committing more than two-hundred audacious crimes during which they stole around four-hundred million euros worth of jewels, antiques, and artwork from private homes, museums, galleries, and monuments spread across Europe. And when I say audacious, I mean it. Think speed boats, hang gliders, helicopters, rappelling, and the like.
Interpol believes Pink Panther’s network consists of twenty to thirty experienced thieves, with facilitators in various cities providing logistical assistance. Other sources estimate there are up to two-hundred and fifty members active in this criminal organization. Who exactly these criminals work for – and whether the Balkan Bandits is really one or several of the crime families based in the Balkans – is still a mystery.
This group provided the perfect example of how Robber Hood, my fictional gang of art thieves, would operate.
As long as artwork fetches millions, art crimes will be big business. As an art lover, I am saddened by this situation. As a mystery author, these kinds of thefts provide endless inspiration for future, art-related mysteries.
Marked for Revenge: An Art Heist Thriller
An adrenaline-fueled adventure set in the Netherlands, Croatia, Italy, and Turkey about stolen art, the mafia, and a father’s vengeance.
When researcher Zelda Richardson begins working at a local museum, she doesn’t expect to get entangled with an art theft, knocked unconscious by a forger, threatened by the mob, or stalked by drug dealers.
To make matters worse, a Croatian gangster is convinced Zelda knows where a cache of recently pilfered paintings is. She must track down an international gang of art thieves and recover the stolen artwork in order to save those she loves most.
The trouble is, Zelda doesn’t know where to look. Teaming up with art detective Vincent de Graaf may be her only hope at salvation.
The trail of clues leads Zelda and Vincent on a pulse-pounding race across Europe to a dramatic showdown in Turkey that may cost them their lives.
Available for purchase as eBook and paperback on Amazon: http://getbook.at/MarkedForRevenge
July 15, 2019
The Lover's Portrait is in (US) Prime Reading
Good news for Prime Readers: The Lover's Portrait - my art mystery set in WWII and present-day Amsterdam - is currently available in the US Prime Reading program!
Link to Amazon.com: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01EVVS0RI/
Link to Amazon worldwide:
http://getbook.at/TheLoversPortrait
If you aren't a member of Prime, you can always read it for free in Kindle Unlimited, or purchase it as eBook, paperback, or audiobook.
Happy reading (or listening). :)
Link to Amazon.com: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01EVVS0RI/
Link to Amazon worldwide:
http://getbook.at/TheLoversPortrait
If you aren't a member of Prime, you can always read it for free in Kindle Unlimited, or purchase it as eBook, paperback, or audiobook.
Happy reading (or listening). :)
May 19, 2019
Welcome to the world, Marked for Revenge!
I am thrilled to announce my latest novel is now available for sale as eBook and paperback on Amazon and Barnes & Noble! In a few days it will also live on Waterstones and many other fine retailers.
To all of you who have already ordered it – THANK YOU! Sales are already exceeding my expectations. This would not have happened without your help 🙂
You can still pick up the eBook for the new release price of 99 cents. But be quick – the price goes up to 3.99 in about a week!
If you do read it, I would LOVE to know what you think of it! Please consider leaving a review on Amazon com (eBook), Amazon (eBook) worldwide, Amazon paperback, Goodreads, NetGalley, BookBub, or the retailer you purchased it from.
MANY THANKS! I hope you have a wonderful day! Jennifer
I am extremely grateful to those who have already left reviews on NetGalley, BookBub, Goodreads, and Amazon!
“The author’s descriptions of action and adventure in Venice and Marmaris bring each site vividly to life and made me keep turning the pages long after I should have turned off the light.” – Elizabeth Lloyd of Lost in Good Book blog
“First, I like how Alderson shows a story. Yes, she shows it with all the details and fluidity of her writing that brings the reader right smack in the middle of the thriller. Filled with suspense, twists and just magnificent writing, the reader gets a view of this journey as it unfolds. The pace of the story is perfect, and the story brings the reader in at the right moment, and after reading the first few pages, this reader couldn’t wait to read more…” – Amy C. Shannon of Amy’s Bookshelf Reviews
“Loved, loved, loved this story. Mystery and history, with enough suspense and excitement to capture any reader’s imagination make this an exceptional read.” – author Janice J. Richardson, Goodreads reviewer
“I highly recommend this book particularly to those who like fast pacing thrillers.” – Achour, NetGalley & Goodreads reviewer
“In Marked for Revenge, Alderson once again dishes the inside scope on the museum world, but this time combines it with a clever art heist plot that will keep you turning pages right to the end. This Zelda Richardson mystery series just keeps getting better.” – author Anne Janzer, Goodreads & NetGalley reviewer
“This is the perfect book for those who love history, mysteries toss in some good old fashion suspense and Marked For Revenge is the perfect read. The author bring history, art to life bringing readers into her world and keeps them there wanting more after the stories ends.” – Book Him Danno / Heidi W., NetGalley & Goodreads reviewer
“The descriptions are well done, the storylines believable and interesting, and the characters and their dialog were also well done.”- Texan / Texas, Goodreads & BookBub reviewer
“This was a fun and informative read with lots of details about art history and forgery.” – Grace Koshida, Goodreads & NetGalley reviewer
“This is a nicely written story, with good language, a clear timeline and short chapters that all makes it easy to read.” – T Olsen, Goodreads & NetGalley reviewer
“I enjoyed reading it. It had a good story to it.” – Darren, NetGalley & Goodreads reviewer
“Marked For Revenge is an art heist mystery, and I always like anything involving art and theft. This is the first book I’ve read by the author. I found it to be complex and thought provoking. The answers are not obvious or predictable. The characters are likeable, intelligent and engaging. Overall, this is a solid mystery for anyone interested in art theft.” – Jamie B., NetGalley reviewer
Marked for Revenge: An Art Heist Thriller
An adrenaline-fueled adventure set in the Netherlands, Croatia, Italy, and Turkey about stolen art, the mafia, and a father’s vengeance.
When researcher Zelda Richardson begins working at a local museum, she doesn’t expect to get entangled with an art theft, knocked unconscious by a forger, threatened by the mob, or stalked by drug dealers.
To make matters worse, a Croatian gangster is convinced Zelda knows where a cache of recently pilfered paintings is. She must track down an international gang of art thieves and recover the stolen artwork in order to save those she loves most.
The trouble is, Zelda doesn’t know where to look. Teaming up with art detective Vincent de Graaf may be her only hope at salvation.
The trail of clues leads Zelda and Vincent on a pulse-pounding race across Europe to a dramatic showdown in Turkey that may cost them their lives.
[The novels in the Zelda Richardson Mystery Series are stand-alone stories that can be read in any order.]
May 7, 2019
10 Chapters of Marked for Revenge
On May 17 my sixth novel – Marked for Revenge: An Art Heist Thriller – will be released as paperback and eBook! I cannot wait to share this thriller with you. It was so much fun to research and write – I hope you enjoy the faster pace and additional action in this novel, Book Three in the Zelda Richardson Mystery Series!
To celebrate its impending release, I have put together a PDF of the first ten chapters. You can download it on my website: GO TO BLOG TO DOWNLOAD THE PDF
OR read Chapter One now:
Chapter 1: Nighttime Flight
August 11, 2018
Marko Antic softly hummed the Dutch national anthem as he cut another watercolor from Vianden Castle’s cold stone wall. As the gilded frame dropped into his free hand, he automatically looked to the life-sized portrait of William II hanging at the opposite end of the narrow room, almost sensing the Dutch king’s disapproval.
“Will you stop already?” his partner-in-crime whispered.
Marko ceased mid-chorus, the last bar of ‘Het Wilhelmus’ hanging eerily in the air. He opened his mouth to reprimand Rikard for being such a killjoy when he realized his friend was right. Although the Turret Room was at the back of an unoccupied medieval castle—and the sole security guard had already completed his rounds—they’d do better to be prudent.
Marko slipped the painting into a padded canvas bag, careful not to put unnecessary pressure on the other two watercolors he’d already plundered from the castle’s walls. He looked to his friend and saw Rikard was placing the tenth and final painting into his bag. As soon as all of the watercolors were secure, it was time to complete this job. Marko sucked in his breath, excited yet nervous about their exit, inspired by the castle’s extraordinary location.
Vianden Castle seemed to grow out of a rocky promontory jutting out into the Our Valley. It was the jewel crowning the tiny village of Vianden—literally. The town’s homes, businesses, and church carved into the steep ridge had a thick blanket of tall trees that covered them. A single road led up to the castle at the top.
At first, Marko and Rikard were overwhelmed by the castle’s position and the seemingly insurmountably high stone wall built around it. Once inside, they were pleasantly surprised by how easily looks could deceive. The castle itself was the main tourist attraction, and that was impossible to steal. Cameras were trained on the main entrances and exits but were not hung up in each room. During their tour, Marko realized why. Only a few inexpensive pieces of art were permanently displayed, and none appeared to be hooked up to an alarm. But then, his trained eye told him they weren’t worth more than a few thousand euros, thus probably not worth insuring. The only additional measure taken to secure the temporary exhibition of watercolors they’d just stolen from was a single camera pointed at the entrance to the Turret Room. One that Marko had covered with tape before entering the space.
Breaking in had been incredibly easy. Because the castle’s entrance was literally at the end of the road, there was little chance of a random passerby seeing them return at two in the morning. Marko and Rikard used rappelling hooks to climb over the massive stone wall surrounding the castle and were inside in a matter of seconds. Thanks to the waning moon, they didn’t have to look hard to find shadows to climb in. Getting out would entail a different route entirely.
Marko triple-checked his canvas bags before glancing over to see Rikard doing the same. The burglars locked eyes and nodded, then rose and crossed the darkened stone floor.
A door on the left side of the Turret Room led to a wide balcony extending far out over the valley below. As soon as Rikard opened it, a strong wind blew inside, chilling Marko to the bone.
Both men dragged the bags of artwork out onto the balcony then closed the door firmly behind them. Marko knew from their previous visit that the views from here were breathtaking. Because the balcony extended a few feet out over the abyss, visitors could see for miles up and down the valley. Now, a swath of blacks and grays met their eye. The Our river was invisible. A handful of lights—presumably from homes—sparkled through the dense foliage of this sparsely populated region.
Before looting the Turret Room, they had placed two large tote bags on the balcony. Marko opened one and took out a harness shaped like a padded chair. He slipped it over his back and quickly strapped himself in. Then, using a series of bungee cords and carabiners, he secured a crate of artwork to each side. The extra-thick padding should cushion any jarring, and both Marko and Rikard were skilled enough to land softly. Their job depended on it. Once satisfied, he slipped on night-vision goggles, buckled on his helmet, then picked up a small nylon sack with two lines hanging out of it. Marko hooked them into the specially-built loops hanging from his chest. He yanked on each, ensuring they were secure before unfurling the nylon wing. The soft fabric billowed up and out above him. Marko turned on a flashing red beacon attached to his chest and stepped out onto the wide stone railing. The strong winds tugged on the nylon, pulling him forward.
The balcony wasn’t large enough for both to jump simultaneously, but Marko could see that Rikard was almost ready. Pulling tight on the controls, Marko waited until his friend had his wing clipped in properly. As soon as Rikard gave him the thumbs up, Marco released the hand brakes and stepped off the ledge, giving in to the wind’s desire. Marko’s heart raced as his stomach dropped away. For a brief moment, he was plunging toward the earth. Seconds later, his chute grabbed an upward draft and raced up the ridge, jerking him high above the treetops. A smile split his face; he loved the rush. He used his hand grips and weight to control his lateral movements, slowly maneuvering himself away from the tree-covered ridge and back above the river, his night-vision goggles helping him orient.
A minute later, he heard the whooshing sound of another chute catching the wind. He turned his head back toward the castle and searched until he could see his friend’s red beacon flashing. Marko’s grin intensified when he noticed there were no lights visible inside the castle. The robbery probably wouldn’t be detected until morning.
Marko relaxed the tension on his hand grips, allowing his wing to race down the valley, relishing the brief moment of freedom. He couldn’t believe his luck. Marko had always loved his work, but since he began working for his uncle a year ago, his job satisfaction had increased significantly. Thanks to years of stealing paintings and antiques from private homes, Marko had developed a real eye for quality. The mental thrill of creating a devious plan and seeing it through was a real adrenaline kick but getting rid of these illicitly gained goods was always such a pain. There was much risk involved. More and more of his associates had been tripped up by selling them to undercover cops. And when Marko did find a trustworthy buyer, they offered minimal payout.
Marko always knew he could count on his family if he ever got into real trouble, but he had enjoyed following his own path. That is until several of his friends were arrested during a recent sting operation. When his uncle Luka offered to take care of all of that hassle, Marko couldn’t refuse. And his uncle did pay top dollar, more than he’d been able to organize on his own. From time to time, Luka even supplied him with an interesting theft, to boot. There was no shortage of greedy people willing to pay anything to acquire what they wanted, especially when the object of their desire was entirely out of reach even to people of their financial stature.
He kicked his legs around, reveling in the liberating feeling of flying. Too soon, he made out a set of headlights blinking in the distance. Marko adjusted his direction and relaxed into the harness, determined to enjoy the rest of his short flight.
He looked up to the moon and turned his face into the wind, letting it whip across his cheeks — God, how he loved his job.
* * *
You can pre-order the eBook for the pre-release price of 99 cents on Amazon worldwide now! Price will go up after release :)
Happy travels and reading!!
To celebrate its impending release, I have put together a PDF of the first ten chapters. You can download it on my website: GO TO BLOG TO DOWNLOAD THE PDF
OR read Chapter One now:
Chapter 1: Nighttime Flight
August 11, 2018
Marko Antic softly hummed the Dutch national anthem as he cut another watercolor from Vianden Castle’s cold stone wall. As the gilded frame dropped into his free hand, he automatically looked to the life-sized portrait of William II hanging at the opposite end of the narrow room, almost sensing the Dutch king’s disapproval.
“Will you stop already?” his partner-in-crime whispered.
Marko ceased mid-chorus, the last bar of ‘Het Wilhelmus’ hanging eerily in the air. He opened his mouth to reprimand Rikard for being such a killjoy when he realized his friend was right. Although the Turret Room was at the back of an unoccupied medieval castle—and the sole security guard had already completed his rounds—they’d do better to be prudent.
Marko slipped the painting into a padded canvas bag, careful not to put unnecessary pressure on the other two watercolors he’d already plundered from the castle’s walls. He looked to his friend and saw Rikard was placing the tenth and final painting into his bag. As soon as all of the watercolors were secure, it was time to complete this job. Marko sucked in his breath, excited yet nervous about their exit, inspired by the castle’s extraordinary location.
Vianden Castle seemed to grow out of a rocky promontory jutting out into the Our Valley. It was the jewel crowning the tiny village of Vianden—literally. The town’s homes, businesses, and church carved into the steep ridge had a thick blanket of tall trees that covered them. A single road led up to the castle at the top.
At first, Marko and Rikard were overwhelmed by the castle’s position and the seemingly insurmountably high stone wall built around it. Once inside, they were pleasantly surprised by how easily looks could deceive. The castle itself was the main tourist attraction, and that was impossible to steal. Cameras were trained on the main entrances and exits but were not hung up in each room. During their tour, Marko realized why. Only a few inexpensive pieces of art were permanently displayed, and none appeared to be hooked up to an alarm. But then, his trained eye told him they weren’t worth more than a few thousand euros, thus probably not worth insuring. The only additional measure taken to secure the temporary exhibition of watercolors they’d just stolen from was a single camera pointed at the entrance to the Turret Room. One that Marko had covered with tape before entering the space.
Breaking in had been incredibly easy. Because the castle’s entrance was literally at the end of the road, there was little chance of a random passerby seeing them return at two in the morning. Marko and Rikard used rappelling hooks to climb over the massive stone wall surrounding the castle and were inside in a matter of seconds. Thanks to the waning moon, they didn’t have to look hard to find shadows to climb in. Getting out would entail a different route entirely.
Marko triple-checked his canvas bags before glancing over to see Rikard doing the same. The burglars locked eyes and nodded, then rose and crossed the darkened stone floor.
A door on the left side of the Turret Room led to a wide balcony extending far out over the valley below. As soon as Rikard opened it, a strong wind blew inside, chilling Marko to the bone.
Both men dragged the bags of artwork out onto the balcony then closed the door firmly behind them. Marko knew from their previous visit that the views from here were breathtaking. Because the balcony extended a few feet out over the abyss, visitors could see for miles up and down the valley. Now, a swath of blacks and grays met their eye. The Our river was invisible. A handful of lights—presumably from homes—sparkled through the dense foliage of this sparsely populated region.
Before looting the Turret Room, they had placed two large tote bags on the balcony. Marko opened one and took out a harness shaped like a padded chair. He slipped it over his back and quickly strapped himself in. Then, using a series of bungee cords and carabiners, he secured a crate of artwork to each side. The extra-thick padding should cushion any jarring, and both Marko and Rikard were skilled enough to land softly. Their job depended on it. Once satisfied, he slipped on night-vision goggles, buckled on his helmet, then picked up a small nylon sack with two lines hanging out of it. Marko hooked them into the specially-built loops hanging from his chest. He yanked on each, ensuring they were secure before unfurling the nylon wing. The soft fabric billowed up and out above him. Marko turned on a flashing red beacon attached to his chest and stepped out onto the wide stone railing. The strong winds tugged on the nylon, pulling him forward.
The balcony wasn’t large enough for both to jump simultaneously, but Marko could see that Rikard was almost ready. Pulling tight on the controls, Marko waited until his friend had his wing clipped in properly. As soon as Rikard gave him the thumbs up, Marco released the hand brakes and stepped off the ledge, giving in to the wind’s desire. Marko’s heart raced as his stomach dropped away. For a brief moment, he was plunging toward the earth. Seconds later, his chute grabbed an upward draft and raced up the ridge, jerking him high above the treetops. A smile split his face; he loved the rush. He used his hand grips and weight to control his lateral movements, slowly maneuvering himself away from the tree-covered ridge and back above the river, his night-vision goggles helping him orient.
A minute later, he heard the whooshing sound of another chute catching the wind. He turned his head back toward the castle and searched until he could see his friend’s red beacon flashing. Marko’s grin intensified when he noticed there were no lights visible inside the castle. The robbery probably wouldn’t be detected until morning.
Marko relaxed the tension on his hand grips, allowing his wing to race down the valley, relishing the brief moment of freedom. He couldn’t believe his luck. Marko had always loved his work, but since he began working for his uncle a year ago, his job satisfaction had increased significantly. Thanks to years of stealing paintings and antiques from private homes, Marko had developed a real eye for quality. The mental thrill of creating a devious plan and seeing it through was a real adrenaline kick but getting rid of these illicitly gained goods was always such a pain. There was much risk involved. More and more of his associates had been tripped up by selling them to undercover cops. And when Marko did find a trustworthy buyer, they offered minimal payout.
Marko always knew he could count on his family if he ever got into real trouble, but he had enjoyed following his own path. That is until several of his friends were arrested during a recent sting operation. When his uncle Luka offered to take care of all of that hassle, Marko couldn’t refuse. And his uncle did pay top dollar, more than he’d been able to organize on his own. From time to time, Luka even supplied him with an interesting theft, to boot. There was no shortage of greedy people willing to pay anything to acquire what they wanted, especially when the object of their desire was entirely out of reach even to people of their financial stature.
He kicked his legs around, reveling in the liberating feeling of flying. Too soon, he made out a set of headlights blinking in the distance. Marko adjusted his direction and relaxed into the harness, determined to enjoy the rest of his short flight.
He looked up to the moon and turned his face into the wind, letting it whip across his cheeks — God, how he loved his job.
* * *
You can pre-order the eBook for the pre-release price of 99 cents on Amazon worldwide now! Price will go up after release :)
Happy travels and reading!!
April 3, 2019
On NetGalley - Marked for Revenge!
My latest novel - Marked for Revenge: An Art Heist Thriller - is on NetGalley this month! It's an adrenaline-fueled adventure set in the Netherlands, Croatia, Italy, Luxembourg, and Turkey about stolen art, the mafia, and a father’s vengeance. If you do read it, I would love to know what you think of it.
https://www.netgalley.com/catalog/boo...
https://www.netgalley.com/catalog/boo...
March 16, 2019
Cover Reveal for Marked for Revenge: An Art Heist Thriller
Welcome to the family, Marked for Revenge: An Art Heist Thriller! I am excited to let you know the next book in my Zelda Richardson Mystery Series will be out this May.
An adrenaline-fueled adventure set in the Netherlands, Croatia, Italy, and Turkey about stolen art, the mafia, and a father’s vengeance.
When researcher Zelda Richardson begins working at a local museum, she doesn’t expect to get entangled with an art theft, knocked unconscious by a forger, threatened by the mob, or stalked by drug dealers.
To make matters worse, a Croatian gangster is convinced Zelda knows where a cache of recently pilfered paintings is. She must track down an international gang of art thieves and recover the stolen artwork in order to save those she loves most.
The trouble is, Zelda doesn’t know where to look. Teaming up with art detective Vincent de Graaf may be her only hope at salvation.
The trail of clues leads Zelda and Vincent on a pulse-pounding race across Europe to a dramatic showdown in Turkey that may cost them their lives.
You can pre-order it now on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07...
An adrenaline-fueled adventure set in the Netherlands, Croatia, Italy, and Turkey about stolen art, the mafia, and a father’s vengeance.
When researcher Zelda Richardson begins working at a local museum, she doesn’t expect to get entangled with an art theft, knocked unconscious by a forger, threatened by the mob, or stalked by drug dealers.
To make matters worse, a Croatian gangster is convinced Zelda knows where a cache of recently pilfered paintings is. She must track down an international gang of art thieves and recover the stolen artwork in order to save those she loves most.
The trouble is, Zelda doesn’t know where to look. Teaming up with art detective Vincent de Graaf may be her only hope at salvation.
The trail of clues leads Zelda and Vincent on a pulse-pounding race across Europe to a dramatic showdown in Turkey that may cost them their lives.
You can pre-order it now on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07...
March 14, 2019
New author interviews and guest post
Here are three recent blog posts I think you'll enjoy:
Caught between two cultures: how emigration influenced my writing by Lucia N. Davis - about her latest release The Secrets of Sinclair Lodge.
Spotlight on historical fiction author Mary Anne Yarde and her series set in Glastonbury.
Spotlight on Keenan Powell and her mystery novels set in Alaska.
December 15, 2018
Rituals of the Dead: An Artifact Mystery awarded a B.R.A.G. Medallion!
I am extremely grateful to IndieBRAG readers for choosing to award my artifact mystery with this lovely medallion. This book was a passion project; it really makes me happy to see readers connecting with the characters and story!
You can find it on IndieBRAG’s site here.
You can find it on IndieBRAG’s site here.
November 27, 2018
Dutch goodies + book giveaway on TripFiction
Here’s your chance to win a Dutch goodie bag + a great book!
Take time out for yourself this holiday season and de-stress with this lovely Dutch-themed giveaway.
You can enter my latest giveaway over on TripFiction’s blog. The goodies bag features Rituals of the Dead, the latest in an exciting series of mystery thrillers set around the globe. This novel is a dual-timeline thriller set in the Netherlands and Papua New Guinea.
In this novel, amateur sleuth and art history student Zelda Richardson is working at an anthropology museum in Amsterdam. When a missing explorer’s journal is found inside an artifact’s crate, she gets pulled into a world of shady anthropologists, missionaries, headhunters and smugglers – where the only certainty is that sins of the past are never fully erased. Join Zelda as she grapples with the explorer’s mysterious disappearance fifty years earlier, and a present-day murderer who will do everything to prevent her from uncovering the truth.
“Everything I like in a mystery: Compelling characters, international settings, a mystery steeped in culture and history.”
Rituals of the Dead is Book 3 in the Adventures of Zelda Richardson mystery series, but can also be read as a standalone.
The giveaway also includes several fun gifts to help you unwind: a signed copy of my artifact mystery, a ‘Dutch Girl’ bath duck from the official Amsterdam Duck store, a Rijksmuseum 2019 calender and an anti-stress globe.
Leave your comment on TripFiction's blog by midnight, Saturday 1st December (UK time) and TripFiction will choose the winner.
CLICK HERE TO GO TO THE BLOG POST
This contest is open internationally.
Be sure to check out their incredible database of books strong in setting – searchable by country – while you are there.
[Comments left on this blog post will not be entered into the contest. You have to comment on TripFiction’s post to enter. Good luck!]
Take time out for yourself this holiday season and de-stress with this lovely Dutch-themed giveaway.
You can enter my latest giveaway over on TripFiction’s blog. The goodies bag features Rituals of the Dead, the latest in an exciting series of mystery thrillers set around the globe. This novel is a dual-timeline thriller set in the Netherlands and Papua New Guinea.
In this novel, amateur sleuth and art history student Zelda Richardson is working at an anthropology museum in Amsterdam. When a missing explorer’s journal is found inside an artifact’s crate, she gets pulled into a world of shady anthropologists, missionaries, headhunters and smugglers – where the only certainty is that sins of the past are never fully erased. Join Zelda as she grapples with the explorer’s mysterious disappearance fifty years earlier, and a present-day murderer who will do everything to prevent her from uncovering the truth.
“Everything I like in a mystery: Compelling characters, international settings, a mystery steeped in culture and history.”
Rituals of the Dead is Book 3 in the Adventures of Zelda Richardson mystery series, but can also be read as a standalone.
The giveaway also includes several fun gifts to help you unwind: a signed copy of my artifact mystery, a ‘Dutch Girl’ bath duck from the official Amsterdam Duck store, a Rijksmuseum 2019 calender and an anti-stress globe.
Leave your comment on TripFiction's blog by midnight, Saturday 1st December (UK time) and TripFiction will choose the winner.
CLICK HERE TO GO TO THE BLOG POST
This contest is open internationally.
Be sure to check out their incredible database of books strong in setting – searchable by country – while you are there.
[Comments left on this blog post will not be entered into the contest. You have to comment on TripFiction’s post to enter. Good luck!]
November 20, 2018
Happy Thanksgiving from Travel By Book
Happy Thanksgiving to my American friends!
To celebrate the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday in the United States – and commemorate Canada’s recent celebration (on October 8) – I would like to share with you some great reads set in these two incredible countries.
Take a break from the holiday stress and sail the world while surfing and smuggling drugs to Hawaii, solve a mystery in a Canadian funeral home, or find out how a quiche recipe sets off a baking rivalry in a Rhode Island mill town. Discover hidden secrets in the Northern Cascades, travel along with an audacious American polar explorer, or help protect an art professor from a murderer.
Featured in this post are novels by Melissa Burovac, Lucia N. Davis, Joanna Kafarowski, Eva Pasco, Janice J. Richardson and Tempeste Blake.
Read more about their books on my blog.
As many of you know, Travel By Book is a growing group of authors and readers who enjoy being transported to other destinations via fiction and non-fiction. If you enjoy reading books that take you places, join us over on Facebook.
Jennifer S. Alderson's Blog
Musing and information about my books and the publishing process.
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