STOLEN PIECES

A retired art forger is tossed back into peril when the victim of her ex-husband’s latest caper puts out a hit on her and her 10-year-old son.

In her day, Beatrice Cardello broke every rule in the book. Recruited as a forger by Thomas Osbourn, her gambling father’s creditor, she traveled the world executing copies of famous paintings, at least one of which hangs in a museum unaware of the switch. But all that’s behind her—until her ex-teammate and ex-lover Adam Gage turns up to warn her of big trouble: Charlie Cardello, Bee’s mobbed-up ex-husband, has not only taken up with Cassie, a 21-year-old, but gone a step further by lifting $37.5 million from Cassie’s kingpin uncle, Theo Alvarez, who’s sworn vengeance on Charlie (no great loss) and his family (even if they’re not legally his family anymore). Calling on Oliver’s improbably resourceful nanny, Malika, for help, Bee hastens into hiding. But all of them are snatched by someone who’s under orders from one of the major players. From that point on, Bee’s minute-by-minute life becomes a nonstop attempt to strike acceptable deals with Alvarez, who wants his money back; with Charlie, who wants to maintain his lifestyle; and with Adam, who wants to resume his affair with Bee. Fans of Golden’s earlier cozies will appreciate the content warning that opens this funhouse: “While Stolen Pieces is a light-hearted story overall, there is a mention of miscarriage/stillbirth, as well as depictions of violence throughout.” You can say that again.

Gangsters, thieves, CIA agents, double-crossing allies, and a foul-mouthed forger with a heart of gold. Your move.