Review "Steve Kurkjian is the best reporter in America."--Dick Lehr, co-author of "Black Mass" "A gripping, revelatory book. Master Thieves is not only a thrilling heist story but a feat of investigative reporting. The kind of book you can only write if you've lived with a story for 20 years."--Mitchell Zuckoff, author of "13 Hours" and "Frozen in Time"<br \><br \>"Engrossing real-life crime story." --"Kirkus Reviews" "A new look at a legendary art heist...[Kurkjian] draws on fresh evidence in "Master Thieves" to reveal his own chief suspect, tell the full story of the theft and perhaps hasten the missing works' return."--"The Washington Post" "A cast of characters that would make Martin Scorsese swoon in admiration. There are so many crime-world figures with their fingers in this story that the book is like a "GoodFellas"/"The Departed" double feature...Kurkjian constructs a thrilling narrative...A great mystery story well told."--"The Boston Globe" "If you want to go looking for the lost Gardner horde (and collect the $5-million reward the gallery offers for its return), there's no better place to start than the pages of "Master Thieves." The museum (and the FBI) could use the help."--"Winnipeg Free Press" "Compelling...It is a journey that takes [Kurkjian] deep into the world of the Mafia and a cast of characters so colourful they could have come from a Martin Scorsese screenplay."--"The Telegraph" "Steve Kurkjian is the best reporter in America."--Dick Lehr, co-author of "Black Mass" "In "Master Thieves," master reporter Steve Kurkjian tackles one of the world's great unsolved mysteries--the 1990 Gardner Museum art heist in Boston--and leaves the reader feeling like he's cracked the case. This book has the grit and intelligence of a lifelong gangster and the high tension of a midnight caper." --Ben Bradlee Jr., author of "The Kid: The Immortal Life of Ted Williams" "A gripping, revelatory book. "Master Thieves" is not only a thrilling heist story but a feat of investigative reporting. The kind of book you can only write if you've lived with a story for 20 years." --Mitchell Zuckoff"More than just a summation of all that's publicly known about the case--from the thieves' false mustaches to the F.B.I.'s sting operation--Kurkjian's book is an impressive attempt to solve the crime by reconsidering the evidence...What makes Kurkjian's book so gripping is [this]: an accomplished investigator's sense of open-minded humility." --New York Times Book Review "Engrossing real-life crime story." --Kirkus Reviews "A new look at a legendary art heist...[Kurkjian] draws on fresh evidence in Master Thieves to reveal his own chief suspect, tell the full story of the theft and perhaps hasten the missing works' return."--The Washington Post "A cast of characters that would make Martin Scorsese swoon in admiration. There are so many crime-world figures with their fingers in this story that the book is like a GoodFellas/The Departed double feature...Kurkjian constructs a thrilling narrative...A great mystery story well told."--The Boston Globe "Kurkjian, formerly of The Boston Globe--and one of Boston's premier investigative reporters--knows more about the Gardner robbery than anyone else, including the FBI. He covered it for years. And now he has put it all together in [Master Thieves]." --The Lowell Sun"Whodunits are irresistible, partly because readers can't wait to find out whether the theories they develop along the way jibe with the ultimate conclusion. Through that lens, 'Master Thieves' doesn't deliver; the 'who' remains tantalizingly unclear. But that's OK, and even heightens the sense of criminal mastery."--Minneapolis Star Tribune "If you want to go looking for the lost Gardner horde (and collect the 5-million reward the gallery offers for its return), there's no better place to start than the pages of Master Thieves. The museum (and the FBI) could use the help."--Winnipeg Free Press "Compelling...It is a journey that takes [Kurkjian] deep into the world of the Mafia and a cast of characters so colourful they could have come from a Martin Scorsese screenplay."--The Telegraph "Steve Kurkjian is the best reporter in America." --Dick Lehr, co-author of Black Mass Book Description The definitive story of the Boston criminal underworld and its role in the famous 500 million Gardner Museum art theft, from the Boston Globe journalist whom Dick Lehr called "the best reporter in America." See all Product description
T**S
Waste of time
Chaotic book. In the end one gets the idea that almost everybody in the Boston crime scene one way or the other is involved in the Isabella Stewart Gardner museum heist.
D**K
No answers...it's still a mystery
After recently visiting the Gardner Museum, I have become obsessed with the 1990 art heist. This book is a very well researched account along with much speculation about who the thieves might have been.There are so many suspects that it sometimes gets a little overwhelming keeping them all straight and although Kurkjian offers many possibilities, there are no answers in this book. The over $500 million worth of art has not been seen since that night in March in 1990.Besides offering up many suspects from MANY figures in the Boston crime families, Kurkjian also points fingers at the FBI and even the Gardner Trustees in the handling of the case. If you're a true crime fan or an art lover, pick this up.
C**Y
Well reported, quick read
The book is well reported and offers a careful accounting of the various toughs who might have had a hand in the Gardner heist, but for whatever reason have never confessed their roles or taken the reward.I read this after listening to Last Seen - the podcast focused on the Gardner heist and this is worth the time for people I interested in the case.
J**D
Good, But Ulrich Boser's is Better.
I'm a sucker for these stories but I think the other story about the Gardner Heist by Ulrich Boser is much better and more thoughtful.
E**N
Master Thieves sheds new light on the greatest art heist ever.
One of the best narratives about the theft of art from the Gardner Museum. The novel offers different sides from the local police involvement to the lack of following important clues by the FBI. A must read for any crime enthusiasts.
P**S
Thoroughly enjoyed Master Thieves
I read this after reading Songini's Boston Mob (totally by chance), which turned out to be the perfect intro to learn some background on many of the characters involved in the heist. Kurkjian's in-depth knowledge of the case & his personal accounts of meetings he had with many of the key players will transport anyone who is familiar with the case or not back in time to when the heist occurred & gives an insight to the people involved that will make it feel as if even you know them personally. The addition of Kurkjian's own "what ifs" just made this book even more enjoyable. Loved every word.
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