The Baron And The Missing Old Masters

Whispers Behind the Canvas

In The Baron and the Missing Old Masters, Anthony Morton whisks readers into the grand salons and hidden vaults of European aristocracy. When the esteemed Baron Lucien de Valois discovers that a priceless collection of Renaissance masterpieces has vanished overnight, he enlists the unorthodox talents of art historian Isabella Moreau to untangle the web of deceit. From the candlelit galleries of the Château de Marignac to the fog-shrouded docks of Marseille, Morton paints a vivid panorama of intrigue, where every gilded frame may conceal a secret code and every brushstroke could be the key to unmasking a criminal mastermind.

Alliances Forged in Shadow

As Isabella delves into archival ledgers and clandestine auction records, she uncovers a labyrinthine conspiracy that stretches from London’s elite auction houses to the underground forgeries market in Florence. Alongside Baron de Valois—whose loyalties are as enigmatic as his family’s legacy—she must navigate treacherous alliances with a notorious art smuggler, a disgraced museum curator, and a rival countess whose charm masks a ruthless ambition. Morton’s meticulously researched details bring to life the high-stakes world of art trafficking, where the line between preservation and profit blurs beneath layers of varnish and varnished lies.

The Final Brushstroke

In a heart-pounding climax set beneath the vaulted ceilings of an abandoned abbey, Isabella and the Baron confront the elusive thief in a dramatic showdown of wit and resolve. As the missing Old Masters are revealed one by one, long-buried family secrets surface, forcing de Valois to reconcile his duty to heritage with the price of justice. With its rich period atmosphere, complex characters, and relentless pacing, The Baron and the Missing Old Masters captivates from the first clue to the final stroke. Author’s description.