For me, research is pure joy, because I never know what treasure I’ll find. In researching my first book, Death in the Aegean, I wanted to see how INTERPOL handled thefts of archaeological artifacts. Their website has all kinds of information on Cultural Heritage Crime, including what the issues are, how INTERPOL fights Cultural Heritage Crime, and what the international standard is for describing art and artifacts to facilitate identification in case of theft.

But what caught my eye—as shiny things do—was their Most Wanted Works of Art Posters. These colorful posters each showcase six items that have been stolen, with a photograph, a listing of when the theft occurred, where it occurred (for example from a church, museum, or residence) and details such as dimensions, material, and artist name.

I haven’t seen any Most Wanted Works of Art posters dated later than June 2023, but no worries--INTERPOL has made it easy for us to know what artifacts, art, and antiques have been stolen with their ID-Art app. Download the app to your phone, and you’ll have access to the treasures that INTERPOL is on the lookout for at your fingertips.

This Most Wanted Works of Art poster #53(a) is a work of art in itself, one that I’d love to frame and hang on the wall above my desk. It’s great inspiration for writing about Stefanie Adams and Thomas Burkhardt hunting down stolen artifacts.