The Rembrandt Conspiracy

November 1, 2020
Art and Camille return to foil another art thief. Twelve-year-old Arthur Hamilton Jr. ("Art" to his friends) is certain that the National Portrait Gallery's newest exhibit is in danger. Art's father, recently appointed director of the gallery, doesn't share Art's concerns; the paintings are protected by several state-of-the-art security systems after all. But Art can't shake the feeling that something's up, and he ropes his friend Camille Sullivan into helping him expose the suspicious characters buzzing around the museum for the thieves they are. The novel mirrors its predecessor's mixture of propulsive plotting, dynamic character work, and nifty art facts. Fans of The Van Gogh Deception (2017) will be thrilled to see not much has changed here. The mystery provides a few pleasant twists and turns, culminating in a rousing conclusion that handily points to the next book without feeling incomplete. While the QR codes included effectively render the works mentioned, the scanning is sometimes difficult when using a digital copy of the book, interfering with the mystery's momentum. Thankfully the art history lessons never feel too artificially wedged into the narrative. The author's note discusses the notorious 1990 heist at the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, the subject of tantalizing discussion in this story. Art and Camille are White. A solid second helping. (Mystery. 9-12)

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December 15, 2020
Grades 4-6 Hanging out at his father's workplace, the National Portrait Gallery, 12-year-old Art notices a suspicious anomaly: every afternoon at exactly the same time, a woman takes exactly the same number of steps along the same path through the Great Hall. After Camille, his friend and sleuthing partner, joins him and observes the woman, he convinces her that the thieves who masterminded the notorious art heist at Boston's Gardner Museum 30 years earlier are about to strike again, probably during the upcoming gala. When Art and Camille's initial investigation leads to embarrassment and reprimands, they back off, but a revelation at the gala sends them into action once more. Readers intrigued by the famous paintings mentioned can access them online by scanning QR codes within the book. Set in Washington, D.C., this fast-paced narrative features two likable, capable protagonists, a twisting plotline, and plenty of suspense. Kids who enjoyed The Van Gogh Deception (2017) will want to follow Art and Camille's latest adventure, and this sequel works equally well as a stand-alone. An appealing choice for mystery fans.

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