The Modigliani Scandal

1976 | Thriller | 304 pages

The Modigliani Scandal is a high-speed, high-stakes thriller from Ken Follett, the bestselling author of The Pillars of the Earth.

A Priceless Artwork

When art historian Dee Sleign hears of a lost painting by Amedeo Modigliani, one of the greatest artists to have ever lived, she becomes determined to reclaim it so it can be viewed by the world.

A Desperate Race

However there are others who also want to claim it for their own corrupt motives; Dee’s Uncle Charles Lampeth, for whom art is a commodity to be traded; Julian Black, the broke owner of an art gallery; and Peter Usher, a struggling artist who spies an opportunity to get revenge against those in the art world who have unfairly wronged him.

A Deadly Victory

So begins an epic chase around Europe, from the streets of London to the Italian countryside, in an effort to claim one of the great lost artworks of the twentieth century. A dangerous hunt that could have deadly consequences for all involved.

First chapter

The baker scratched his black moustache with a floury finger, turning the hairs grey and unintentionally making himself look ten years older. Around him the shelves and counters were full of long loaves of fresh, crusty bread, and the familiar smell filled his nostrils and swelled his chest with a quietly satisfied pride. The bread was a new batch, the second that morning: business was good because the weather was fine. He could always rely on a little sunshine to bring the housewives of Paris out into the streets to shop for his good bread. Continue reading

Ken's view

I was almost good when I wrote The Modigliani Scandal and Paper Money. They were the last two novels before I found success with Eye of the Needle, and were written under the name ‘Zachary Stone’. By this time my storytelling skills had improved, and these books have more depth than my earlier efforts. They are too short, however, the characters have no past and the action often moves too quickly for the reader to enjoy.

For hard-core fans, I have allowed these two to be republished in most countries, but included a preface for each emphasising that they were early works. I was afraid I might get a lot of mail from disappointed readers, but in the event I didn’t get any. People seem to enjoy them, so they can’t be too bad.

Reviews

“Follett is a master of crafty plot and incredible detail” – Time

“The man tells a story so well. . . . Follett can make things glow with some beautifully written episodes.” – St. Louis Post-Dispatch

“Gripping.” – The New York Times