A Beautiful Crime

Author: Christopher Bollen

Publisher: Harper Collins

Year: 2020

“Reading gives us someplace to go when we have to stay where we are.” - Mason Cooley

Synopsis: When Nick and his boyfriend Clay meet up on the Grand Canal in Venice, they have a plan in mind—and it doesn’t involve a vacation. Nick and Clay are running away from their turbulent lives in New York City, each desperate for a happier, freer future someplace else. Their method of escape? Selling a collection of counterfeit antiques to a brash, unsuspecting American living out his retirement years in a grand palazzo. With Clay’s smarts and Nick’s charm, their scheme is sure to succeed.

As it turns out, tricking a millionaire out of money isn’t as easy as it seems, especially when Clay and Nick let greed get the best of them. As Nick falls under the spell of the city’s decrepit magic, Clay comes to terms with personal loss and the price of letting go of the past. Their future awaits, but it is built on disastrous deceits, and more than one life stands in the way of their dreams.

I love when an author describes a book’s setting and weaves it into the story so much that the setting itself become a main character. Venice is definitely a main character in this story. The author does a wonderful job of describing the beautiful and crumbling city.

Clay and Nick are antiheroes. They’re  out to swindle a wealthy American. They need money and Clay wants to settle an old score with man they are trying to cheat. But I rooted for them to get away with it. They are complex and likable characters. I wanted them to get the money and live happily ever after. 

This is a beautifully written slow burn novel full of atmosphere and details. 

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Happy Friday! Any big plans for the weekend? 

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