One of my favorite activities is reading. Last week at the beach, I read four books! While those four were all fiction, I enjoy books from various genres, including non-fiction, fiction, historical, biographical, and those that inspire my faith and help me grow spiritually. A goal of mine is to add some classics into the rotation, both ones I’ve read and ones I missed that should have been read. I belong to two book clubs, something I highly recommend to expand your reading palate and enjoy great discussions while getting to know people you might not otherwise meet!

Reading is essential for a writer. It helps us learn the difference between good writing and bad writing (and both exist in the published world!). It expands our vocabulary and widens the lens through which we see the world. If you can read, you can learn about anything.

I’m always on the hunt for a good historical fiction book, so I was delighted to be asked to be on the launch team for a fellow writer’s new novel, Plundering Picasso. It’s a dual timeline historical fiction mystery thriller—something for everyone! You’ll meet some interesting fictional characters as they interact with actual, historical figures while chasing stolen art across two different decades. If you’re part of a book club, this novel will open up some great conversations about family secrets and the lengths we go to protect our family reputations and legacies.

Here is the author’s summary of the plot:

WHO WILL FIND THEM FIRST?

In Paris, 1937, twelve dazzling Picasso drawings debut at a soirée hosted by Jewish art patrons Otto and Emma Bernstein. But when Hitler targets the collection as the crown jewel of his planned museum, the Bernsteins’ lives—and their art—hang in the balance. Their only hope may be an unlikely ally: American pastor Robert Meyer.

IN 2022, tech CEO AJ Meyer makes a chilling discovery of Nazi documents, a cryptic Stravinsky score, and clues to the lost Picassos among his beloved grandfather’s mementos. As he and his art professor wife follow a trail of encrypted files and buried secrets, AJ must outsmart ruthless black marketeers—and confront the chilling truth about his family’s past.

STEP INTO HISTORY
Pablo Picasso, Ernest Hemingway, Josephine Baker, and Igor Stravinsky move through the shadows of war and art, espionage and intrigue. Their lives intertwine with world-changing events, forming a tapestry of the past that AJ and his wife must unravel to uncover a long-buried truth.

I loved Plundering Picasso for several reasons. Dual timelines are always fun to read, and books like this are my favorite way to learn history. The author weaves enough actual history into the story to make it believable, presented through well-developed characters that come to life. The faith of the main characters in the present timeline is juxtaposed against the evil actions of the Nazi regime—a faith that undergirds the actions taken to help save not just the art, but also those to whom it belonged. There are many “extras” in the book, but no spoilers here!

There are numerous books written about this time in history. This one offers a different perspective, along with a good mystery to keep you guessing!

The book, written by Steve Newcomb, is now available on Amazon. If you like to read, I highly recommend it!