The Art Forger (2012)

Claire Roth, a pariah of the Boston art scene, pays her bills by reproducing paintings by famous artists. When a handsome gallery owner enlists her in a scheme to forge a stolen Degas masterpiece, Claire sees a chance to jump-start her career. But the plan goes awry, and she must delve into a long-unsolved art heist — studying old paintings, sketchbooks, and journals — to clear her name. Shapiro's plot seems rushed at times. Still, she's done meticulous research and has such interesting things to say about authenticity — in both art and love — that her novel The Art Forger becomes not just emotionally involving but addictive. B+