I read this nonfiction book while lying on a sandy towel over a weekend, and I can confirm that it is theof a beach read: not too challenging, very engrossing and sensational, and fun—it has Netflix mini-series appeal. The stranger-than-fiction entirely true story is a ride-along tale with the French convicted criminal Stéphane Breitwieser and his girlfriend as they drive around Europe in the 1990s, visiting its many museums on a fine art shoplifting spree.
Michael Finkel’s interview with Breitweiser uncovers the thief’s version of his motivations and the backstory behind what is the biggest known art heist in the world: Breitwieser stole at least 200 different art objects totaling around $2 billion, only to stow it in his attic apartment where he lived with his mother.