CHASING CEZANNE

The brassy, cutthroat art world from New York to Paris lends its glittering patina to skulduggeries of forgery and theft. There are good guys and bad in profusion, and fortunately Howard has a real gift for portraying them. He catches Mayle's wry humor, evoking all the charm behind the individuals as they combat each other in exotic locales. He makes it seem effortless. Only occasionally does he show a hint of uneasiness over some of the author's throw-away sentences. Yet the flow continues smoothly, and where it may lack ornamentation, there is a lovely, lighthearted romp of a thriller expertly communicated. S.B.S. ©AudioFile, Portland, Maine [Published: SEPT 97]