When a previously unknown Modigliani painting is discovered, a more than a century old enigma suddenly reappears. Between the mysterious identity of the model who inspired the painter in the early 20^th century and the recently discovered body of an art forger, a whole world of dissimulation and crime is gradually revealed.

The body of a well-known art forger has been found hanged in a dump in the Val de Marne region, outside of Paris, shortly after he was released from jail. The victim had been dipped in boiling water, a punishment reserved for those who sold forged artwork during France’s Ancien Régime. The case is assigned to Paris’s Criminal Division, led by Commander Vicaux.

At the same time, Anne, an art historian specialized in recovering art stolen by the Nazis during World War II, learns that a previously unknown Modigliani painting is about to be sold at auction. It is of a young woman, Aliza. Who is she? What were the conditions in which the painting was made? Anne’s research draws us back a century, to 1918, when the Italian painter was hanging out in Bohemian Parisian bistros in search of new models…

At first glance, there’s no connection between the two investigations.  But when a Modigliani expert, a woman who is a former colleague of Anne’s, is murdered on the banks of the Marne, the commander and the art historian – an atypical and antinomic duo — wind up unraveling the intertwined thread connecting these mysterious cases. Because the most murderous intentions may be hiding behind the beauty of the most famous paintings…

Praise for the author’s previous books:

“Tracking down both a criminal and a painting that has art dealers drooling.” — Pierrick Fey, Les Échos

“The author has once again pulled off the impressive achievement of appealing both to crime-fiction lovers who don’t know much about the art world, and art lovers who don’t necessarily read genre fiction.” — Valérie Susset, L’Est Républicain

“Over the course of a tough investigation, the author, Éric Mercier, who is from the city of Nancy, skillfully weaves a police procedural into the world of art, while reconnecting with characters from his earlier novels.” — Thierry Boillot, Dernières nouvelles d’Alsace

“You can’t help love the detective, as well as the novelist, with a background in finance, a Ph.D. in art history and lusher vocabulary than a crossword-puzzle fan. Mercier, going, going, gone.” — Julie Malaure, Le Point

“Written by an exhibition curator and art historian, this investigation, led at breakneck speed by a pair of endearing cops, is one you won’t be able to put down.” — Télé Loisirs

“With a Ph.D. in art history, Éric Mercier guides readers into the very small world of art-forger hunters… a reader-friendly page-turner of a not-too-noir police procedural, that draws us in with both the plot and introduction it provides to an elite but fascinating world.” — Ouest France

“Welcome to the ruthless and dangerous world of art and art dealers. Watch out: danger ahead!” — Librarie La Griffe noire