The Botticelli Madonna

An irresistible thriller grabbed from the headlines of history which rips aside the civilized façade of the art world in “a tricky and engaging tale of art world shenanigans” (Publishers Week).When the long lost painting of a Madonna by the great Italian painter Sandro Botticelli suddenly reappears courtesy of a little-known West German art dealer, gasps of astonishment are heard around the world.The work of art was looted by the Nazis from Austria during World War II and it vanished behind the Iron Curtain thirty years earlier.The painting’s return represents the opportunity of a lifetime for struggling London art dealer Charles Luttrell—so much so that he is prepared to overlook the dark mystery of its true ownership.But others want the painting too. And they are prepared to kill for it . . .NOTE: THE BOTTICELLI MADONNA was previously published as AUCTION.*****“Choice entertainment . . . Mr. Cox knows the scene he describes down to the last flak of jargon, and he keeps things at a bubbling boil”—New Yorker“Evocative, plausible and enjoyable . . . a winner”—The Bookseller“Plenty of action!”—New York Times“Fraud and misrepresentation are the order of the day. Particularly lively”—Library Journal“The account of the way the art world works is authentic, the action is fast and laced with mystery, espionage and intrigue”—New York Times Book Review“You race through the book”—UPI“Cox has mastered his subject . . . this novel makes for a rousing good time”—Books & Arts“An exciting story till the very end”—Brooklyn Daily Bulletin“A fast-paced, exciting story of international intrigue”—Columbus Morning Dispatch