So far, this website has been concerned with items related to my first novel, India Interlude. But I also have been working on my second one, a mystery, tentatively titled Pictures of Oxford: An Art Theft Mystery. In this one we revisit two of the characters from the earlier book, about fifty years later, as they renew their acquaintance in England.
Although he doesn’t personally appear in the book, Robert K. Wittman plays a pivotal role in this mystery. I recently had the privilege of hearing him speak about his career at the Venice Public Library. Who knew art crime could be so humorous? Mr. Wittman is known for having founded the FBI’s Art Crime Team, instrumental in recovering $300 million in stolen art. His book, Priceless: How I Went Undercover to Rescue the World’s Stolen Treasures, is a fascinating read of his adventures.
I won’t give away the plot of my new work, but suffice it to say that Mr. Wittman’s book redirected an investigation into the important thefts of several paintings. Stay tuned!