The Art Thief: A True Story of Love, Crime, and a Dangerous Obsession

By Michael Finkel

#1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • One of the most remarkable true-crime narratives of the twenty-first century • “The Art Thief, like its title character, has confidence, élan, and a great sense of timing."The New Yorker

A BEST BOOK OF THE YEAR: The Washington Post, The New Yorker, Lit Hub

"Enthralling." —The Wall Street Journal


Stéphane Bréitwieser is the most prolific art thief of all time.

He pulled off more than 200 heists, often in crowded museums in broad daylight.

His girlfriend served as his accomplice.

His collection was worth an estimated $2 billion.

He never sold a piece, displaying his stolen art in his attic bedroom.

He felt like a king.

Until everything came to a shocking end.

In this spellbinding portrait of obsession and flawed genius, Michael Finkel gives us one of the most remarkable true-crime narratives of our times, a riveting story of art, theft, love, and an insatiable hunger to possess beauty at any cost.

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Published Jun 27, 2023

242 pages

Average rating: 6.93

764 RATINGS

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Community Reviews

President
Mar 13, 2026
8/10 stars
Jude
boyleschris
Oct 18, 2025
Chris's recommendation
boyleschris
Mar 16, 2025
Chris's recommendation.
JakieFlip
May 11, 2026
6/10 stars
An incredibly interesting premise following what I can only describe as a power couple in the art thievery world. I love the descent from love to madness and arguably I’m always a sucker for a love story. I hope he’s found peace where he is now.
Jewlz💎
Mar 22, 2026
9/10 stars
Loved it!

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