THE LAST MONA LISA

Edoardo Ballerini's fast-paced narration amplifies the suspense in this fictionalized mystery about the very real controversy surrounding the authenticity of Leonardo da Vinci's MONA LISA. American Luke Perrone, art history professor and descendant of Vincent Peruggia, who famously stole the painting from the Louvre in 1911, travels to Florence, Italy, to unravel what happened during the two years before the original (or perhaps a forgery) was returned. Ballerini provides authentic voices and accents for the various Italians who aid Luke's research and switches to tough-guy New Yorker for Luke and the Interpol agent who is following him. Ballerini clearly distinguishes a cast of characters that include a dangerous hit man working for a collector of stolen art and a mysterious American woman who seduces Luke. J.E.S. © AudioFile 2021, Portland, Maine [Published: SEPTEMBER 2021]