Every Picture Tells a Story — Gregory Dowling

Full of intrigue and suspense, Every Picture Tells a Story is a compelling mystery of art theft and forgery set against the backdrop of Venice.

Six months after being released from prison for forgery, London artist Martin Phipps is starting over. While making the rounds at a gallery opening, Martin meets and speaks with a mysterious Italian man who is searching for the same art dealer that hired Martin to paint forgeries. Later that evening, while walking the streets of London, Martin saves the Italian man from being mugged. In the scuffle, he sees in the man's bag a photograph, of a very rare painting, recently stolen from a church outside of Venice--The Madonna of the Swan.

The next day, while painting at his studio, Martin is attacked by two Italian thugs who question him about the mysterious Italian and then burn his entire collection. So, with nothing to keep him im London, Martin travels to Venice to investigate the theft of The Madonna of the Swan and track down the Italian himself.

"[A] lighthearted romp." - Kirkus Reviews