Books like Exquisite by Joan Overfield

Rachel Manvers, a talented sculptor and painter living in Regency England, is shocked to learn that her uncle has sold her works as authentic Roman originals. One of her pieces attracts the attention of Nicolas Woodward, England’s leading antiquity expert and a wealthy nobleman, and his confrontation with Rachel leads to a surprising romance. As Nicolas delves deeper into the provenance of the sculptures, he becomes involved in investigating a series of burglaries committed by his peers—an investigation that appears to be connected to Rachel and her uncle’s questionable dealings. The novel weaves together themes of art theft, forgery, and fraud investigation, while painting a vivid portrait of social life and customs during the Regency period. It also highlights the challenges faced by women sculptors in a male‑dominated art world.

First publish date: 1998