A Crime of Art

This month's book club read was Blue Balliett's Chasing Vermeer, an art mystery with plenty of intrigue. Three mysterious letters are delivered to three different people. Each person is asked to help correct on of the greatest mistakes in art history. At the same time on of Vermeer's paintings disappears from the museum and the thief claims to be righting a wrong. What is art? Is a crime ever justified? Can a boy and a girl join forces to solve a mystery?

One of my favorite aspects of this book is the code based on pentominoes, or differently shaped blocks. The illustrator took this as a challenge and worked a code into the illustrations. So in addition to a fast paced adventure, the pictures add another level of involvement to the story.

I recommend this book for readers that like a challenge and have a good appreciation of art.  Other great mysteries with a hint of art: Blue Balliett's other titles in the series, Shakespeare's Secret by Elise Broach and Framed by Frank Cottrell Boyce.