The Third Reich is crumbling to dust, and the Nazis are working frantically to hide the huge store of art treasures that they looted from Europe. With the Allies closing in, the vaunted efficiency of the Nazis has broken down, and in the confusion of endless convoys loaded with treasure, a single truck, its driver, and its priceless load of masterpieces vanish into an alpine snowstorm.
Fifty years later in a Boston pawnshop, art historian and ex-curator Ben Revere makes a stunning discovery-- a Velazquez painting from the legendary Lost Truck. Revere finds himself traveling to the grand cities of Europe to unravel the Lost Truck's history and its treasures-- and running for his life as a result.
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Sometimes I just need to read a fun little thriller about lost treasure set in exotic locales, and Aaron Elkins' Loot was perfect-- especially since I've read books about the incredible work done by the Monuments Men during World War II. I've often wondered just how many stolen treasures are still hiding deep in mines and other hideaways, but I digress.
This isn't the first book I've read written by Elkins. He seems to have a knack for choosing topics that I'm deeply interested in, but I can't say that I'm a fan of his writing. Loot suffers from an unnecessary love interest and a hero who's more than a little dense when it comes to the safety of himself and others, but the book's fast pace and interesting premise kept me reading happily until the end.
Loot by Aaron Elkins
eISBN: 9781497610095
Open Road Integrated Media © 2014
Originally published 1999.
eBook, 312 pages
Thriller, Standalone
Rating: B
Source: Purchased from Amazon.
I guess this is not going on my TBR list. Hope you and Denis stay cool. Just read it was 110 degrees in Phoenix, going up to 112 today. Hope your cooling devices are working well.
ReplyDeleteThey are now. More about it tomorrow.
DeleteI like Elkins' work, I think, a little better than you do, Cathy. I agree that the love angle in Loot wasn't necessary, but something about Ben Revere appeals to me, and as you say, it's a good thriller adventure if you're willing to put aside your disbelief.
ReplyDeleteWhen I'm in the mood, I don't have any problem suspending my disbelief.
DeleteI've always been drawn to books about lost treasure! And all those paintings in WWII that were stolen and that remain lost today is one of those mysteries I hope is someday solved. This book sounds awesome. It'll be the third Elkins book that I've put on my TBR list this summer...and it's all because of you. :D
ReplyDeleteThat's me-- the Enabler! (And so are you!)
DeleteThat's what makes us such good bookish friends. :D
DeleteI confess I haven't read this author and I'm not much drawn to books with a World War II setting. (I guess I got my fill of those stories as I was growing up with my father's retelling of his war experiences.) Still, this does sound interesting, so maybe I need to get over myself and widen my range of reading.
ReplyDeleteI understand what you're saying, though, Dorothy. While my grandfather almost never said anything about his experiences in WW2, and that made me curious.
DeleteI enjoyed Elkins's Gideon Oliver series when I was in the mood for something lighter, so I'm willing to give this one a try. The missing art from WW2 is a perpetual gift for thriller writers, and us readers, but it's never been quite enough to get me to actually read The Monuments Men.
ReplyDeleteI came to the whole subject through the film, The Monuments Men. It got me curious, so I started reading non-fiction then branched into fiction.
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