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A Beautiful Crime

Christopher Bollen

3.55 · Rating details · 22 ratings · 12 reviews

From the author of The Destroyers comes another “delicious literary thriller” (People)—a twisty story of deception, set in contemporary Venice and featuring a young American couple who have set their sights on a high-stakes con.

When Nick Brink and his boyfriend Clay Guillory meet up on the Grand Canal in Venice, they have a plan in mind—and it doesn’t involve a vacation. ...more

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Hardcover, 400 pages

Expected publication: January 28th 2020 by Harper

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· 22 ratings · 12 reviews

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Nov 13, 2019 Dennis rated it it was amazing

Shelves: 2020-pub, 2019-read, arc-publisher, adventure, lgbt, thriller, literary-fiction

First things first, if you're interested in a thriller, but are squeamish or get scared easily, this book is for you. It's not scary nor is it gruesome, but it is good. A Beautiful Crime is my first read by author Christopher Bollen, but now I am totally a fan. The story centers around con-artist couple, Nick Brink and Clay Guillory, and their journey to Venice. In Venice, the duo plan to sell Clay's ex-boyfriend's fake silver at an exponential cost. Clay's boyfriend came from one of the First things first, if you're interested in a thriller, but are squeamish or get scared easily, this book is for you. It's not scary nor is it gruesome, but it is good. A Beautiful Crime is my first read by author Christopher Bollen, but now I am totally a fan. The story centers around con-artist couple, Nick Brink and Clay Guillory, and their journey to Venice. In Venice, the duo plan to sell Clay's ex-boyfriend's fake silver at an exponential cost. Clay's boyfriend came from one of the founding families of the early settlements of New York and now that he's passed away, they plan to cash in. The couple brainstorm a plan and decide to take advantage of this oblivious millionaire, who Clay in fact, has a past history with. During the heist, the couple has to jump through hurdles along the way—will this plan actually come to fruition or did they underestimate their target?

This synopsis brief that I just provided did not give this book any justice, so I guess just read the plot synopsis provided. A Beautiful Crime is not only a thriller, but it also is a great character study; infused with love, romance, and deception. This may be the first time ever that I've fallen in love with all the characters. Everyone was so multifaceted and deep—it was hard to hate on anybody! I loved Nick and Clay, and I loved their relationship. I loved Clay's history with his ex-boyfriend. I thought Mr. West (the millionaire) was hilarious and goofy at just the best moments. Daniela's honesty was refreshing and a good break from the dark-centric drama. Everyone had a role and it was portrayed perfectly.

I loved that A Beautiful Crime was centered around a gay couple, and it wasn't portrayed in a taboo fashion. The story provides a normal view between two men who love each other. It's not over-the-top with their theatrics or made into an unrealistic YA romance like I've seen many authors do lately. The story does show the differences between Millennial gays versus the gay who came before them, which is honestly something I've experienced in New York City as well. I loved the romance between Clay and Nick, and I really wanted to see more into that! I really appreciated how the author portrayed the gay community with respect and gave readers a voyeuristic opportunity into that reality.

My favorite aspect of A Beautiful Crime is how atmospheric the novel is! I really felt like I was in Venice with everyone and now I've added it to my travel bucket-list. I genuinely felt that I was right in the midst of all the chaos as the story was venturing forward and that rarely happens to me when I read a novel. I cannot believe I decided to read this so fast because now I'm craving a vacation to Venice!

Overall, A Beautiful Crime is a beautiful story about love, conflict, sexuality, and desperation. Go into the story with an open mind and an open heart. There's a chapter in the book that choked me up, but other than that, the book is a fun, wild ride! I still am in shock that I read this book in a day. I see real big things for Christopher Bollen and A Beautiful Crime in 2020. ...more

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Jan 04, 2020 Naty rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: edelweiss

I received an advanced copy via Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review.

My first ARC finished this year! And a really good one, too. This book is a wonderful mystery to read in a rainy afternoon - this character-oriented story follows two young men in love as they plan the scam that will save them from financial ruin. I loved how atmospheric this was, and it's definitely not a quick thriller kind of book - it's one to savor slowly and get emotionally connected to the main characters, ...more

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Nov 17, 2019 Rachel rated it really liked it · review of another edition

A Beautiful Crime is an engaging novel - I read it in one day! It is more compelling than most of the easily read, easily forgotten bestselling thrillers recently, because of the evocative setting, well-developed characters, and twists based off of character motives, rather than added in for pure shock value.

The first 100 pages serve as background and character introduction, but they were interesting and readable. Nick, Clay, and their targets are all fully developed figures that come to life on ...more

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Dec 03, 2019 Katie rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: galleys, glbt

I love a good gay psychological thriller. I would love to see another Tom Ripley - smart, attractive, adaptable and utterly without remorse. A Beautiful crime seemed like it checked all the boxes - a gay heist story, art at the center of the plot, a Venice setting that could almost be a character itself, and the kind of story where you partially want the charming anti-heros get away with it, and partially want to see them fail. Unfortunately, as I read on, I lost interest after a while.
I loved ...more

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Oct 16, 2019 Kim McGee rated it really liked it

Within the magical city of New York, there are many great works of art to admire, powerful men and those who want to be. Within the floating city of magic and mystery that is Venice, there are great works of art to be admired, rich and powerful men and two from New York that want to be. The author's love of Venice and its wonders shine through like the morning mist off the canals to reveal a scene of violence and calculated greed. Clay and Nick make an unusual couple and as their scheme and ...more

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Oct 16, 2019 Kim McGee rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Within the magical city of New York there are many great works of art to admire, powerful men and those who want to be. Within the floating city of magic and mystery that is Venice there are great works of art to be admired, rich and powerful men and two from New York that want to be. The author's love of Venice and its wonders shine through like the morning mist off the canals to reveal a scene of violence and calculating greed. Clay and Nick make an unusual couple and as their scheme and ...more

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Nov 24, 2019 Lovely Loveday added it · review of another edition

A Beautiful Crime by Christopher Bollen is a fast-paced suspenseful thriller and is sure to keep you on the edge of your seat never knowing what will happen next. The characters are real and intriguing making the story seem more like a movie full of action and drama. The story line draws you in and holds your attention in the ending all while keeping you on the edge of your seat the whole time.A Beautiful Crime is a captivating read that is sure to stay with you long after reading.
...more

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Nov 18, 2019 Jeffrey Chassen rated it really liked it

I really appreciated the balance between love and thriller in this novel. Being someone who has spent a fair amount of time in Venice, I also loved the beautiful care spent on making the experience of living in the city, or even visiting it, an authentic experience for the reader. I wanted a little bit more to happen - maybe an extra twist or two - but regardless, I really enjoyed the read.

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Nov 11, 2019 Claire Barfell rated it liked it · review of another edition

I won this book on Goodreads Giveaways. Nick and Clay try to swindle a millionaire and get enough money to run away together forever and be free. Does the swindle succeed? What will happen if they get caught? There are some very exciting parts of the book and a lot of descriptions of Venice. Just when the reader thinks they know what the outcome will be, things change.

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Nov 28, 2019 Danielle Gosson rated it it was ok

This book kind of jumped all over the place, it was not the book for me, I did not end up finishing it.

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Dec 13, 2019 Emily marked it as to-read

Shelves: 2020-jan, collection-adult-fiction, genre-action-mystery-thriller, rep-gay, rep-lgbtqiap-plus, rep-mlm, rep-mm-ship, theme-thieves-heists, 2020-releases

be gay, do crime

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Jan 17, 2020 Erik rated it really liked it

Shelves: lgbt

Like a five course meal in which each course leaves you both reflecting on what's passed and eager for what's to come, Christopher Bollen's "A Beautiful Crime," is the queer suspense novel I didn't know I needed until I finished it.

Nick and Clay, a young, interracial gay couple from New York City have landed right at the heart of a Venice in the throes of a city overrun by tourists. Putting together a con that will hopefully bring this rural Midwestern boy and black gay boy from the Bronx a bit ...more

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Christopher Bollen

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Christopher Bollen is a writer who lives in New York City. He regularly writes about art, literature, and culture. His first novel, Lightning People, was published in 2011. His second novel, Orient, was published by Harper in May 2015. He is currently the Editor at Large at Interview Magazine.