MONA LISA: The Virgin Mother

Da Vinci's Mona Lisa – the most famous icon in the art world – was stolen from the Louvre in Paris in 1911 and again in 1986. The Lady made headline news everywhere. The truth behind this endearing painting... and her smile.

The compelling story of the intrigue surrounding the robbery of Da Vinci's Mona Lisa. This engaging, fast-moving plot is one of enthralling mystery. With double-cross and murder, the persuasive conspiracy has an unexpected conclusion.

Drawing upon the robbery of the painting from the Louvre in 1911 and its substitution with a superb copy, the storyline is transposed to modern-day Paris. The involvement of the forebears of some of the participants is inextricably linked to the original robbery and a motivation for this new attempt.

Returning once again, le Colonel - Gérard Colbert - is masterminding the stealing of the Lady and the sale to an international art dealer while Paul Davaine, his principle covert operative and the incorrigible Annabel, combine their talents. As the chic la Coccinelle, she remains Europe's foremost jewel thief while Paul continues his other nefarious roles for hire.

While removing the painting, Paul is wounded. Annabel manages to hide the icon after almost insurmountable problems on the River Seine. Soon discovered, the French media labels the robbery as The Crime of the Century. The Surête boldly announce they will recover the painting but in fact there is not a clue. As Chief Inspector Boudelôt says, 'We have nothing... less than nothing, if that is possible!' Then a painting is found at Charles De Gaulle airport on its way out of the country. Hell breaks loose, mistakes are made and the best-laid plans of some fall apart. With new strategies, some profit while others die – and the crisis has the power to topple the government.

A clever and fortuitous subterfuge is presented to the public but in the process some powerful Chinese more than money is gone – face is lost. Illicit recompense should have solved the dilemma but mayhem quickly becomes murder. An ugly vendetta is hatched in Hong Kong, moving quickly to Paris and finally Spanish Majorca.
Devised as a simple, elegant robbery for profit becomes the catalyst for increasingly more bold assassinations to which no end seems in sight... then a mutually propitious exchange and it is ended.

An international thriller rich in atmosphere as the tale moves from Maryland in the USA to Florence and Paris, Tel Aviv, Hong Kong and Nice on the south coast of France. The gripping suspense filled finale on the Spanish island of Majorca is alive with the imagery of the locales.