The Lost Van Gogh

I could have read this in one sitting, it was that interesting. An art world caper with more dimension than most, the plot was well thought out and the characters were fleshed out as flawed by real. A very good start for a first novel and I look forward to more Clay Ryder novels in the future.

This book was absolutely one of the best novels of suspense I have ever read, and believe me, I am a heck of a reader. I bought the paperback so I just finished it. I personally went to the A.J. Zerries' (husband/wife authors) website and sent them an email of approval for a story that imprisoned me as a page turner from the 1st page. They were kind enough to respond. Great information on Art Theft during WWII. Read carefully, because the passage of time between chapters can be weeks or even months. It truly deserves a screen writer.. Could the director be Spielberg??

"The Lost Van Gogh" is a true "page turner." I hate to use the vernacular of book reviewers, but it truly is. Imagine reading a book that takes you on a rollercoaster of a ride that involves the NYPD, Nazi war criminals, the Mosad, crooked art auction houses and the Japanese mafia. Even the best Imagineers over at Disney couldn't dream up such an exciting ride. This should be the beach book of the summer. Bottom line, if you enjoyed Dan Brown's Da Vinci Code and Angels and Demons (like I did), you will LOVE "The Lost Van Gogh"!!!

The Lost Van Gogh by A.J. Zerries is a book fueled by action and intrigue. Its many twists and turns keep the reader on the edge of his/her seat, and the themes that run through it promise to keep anyone interested. Whether readers want an inside look at the world of art dealing, the workings of the NYPD, the hunt for Nazis in the years since World War II, or the human condition in general, they will find themselves anxiously turning page after page. Readers can also count on being drawn in by the book's extremely well-developed characters, particularly those of Detective Clay Ryder and Dr. Rachel Meredith. A.J Zerries writes in such a way that readers get to know the characters from the very beginning and develop a strong attachment to them before they're even aware of it. The Zerries' book is artfully written, well-researched, and is not to be missed. Five stars!

It's been a long time since I've read a book this smart, engaging and boldly written. Not only does A.J. Zerries pull off one of the more thrilling mysteries in recent memory, they do so with a deftness that rivals or exceeds most of their contemporary counterparts. After their masterful opening -- a great study in suspense -- we meet Clay Ryder, one of the least respected cops in the NYPD. Moreover, he's still reeling from the recent death of his wife, along with an unenviable family history. Getting inside Ryder's head, in my opinion, is where Zerries absolutely shines. The past that Ryder has tried so hard to shelve is only brought screaming back when van Gogh's lost Trabuc shows up at the Met. As his investigation progresses, and obsession with the painting's history grows, the rich parallels that rise between his dubious grandfather and the brutal Nazi, Udo Luscher, are starkly comprable. Zerries has clearly stumbled upon dramatic gold with Ryder's character. In addition, the pace and action are crisp, the dialogue and supporting characters authentic. I can't wait to see what these two put out next -- hurry up, A.J., I'm impatiently waiting!!!