POTRAIT OF A THIEF by Grace D. Li

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Instant NEW YORK TIMES bestseller!

An Edgar Award Nominee for Best First Novel.

Longlisted for the Center for Fiction’s First Novel Prize.

Named a NEW YORK TIMES Best Crime Novel of 2022.

Portrait of a Thief by Grace D. Li is a captivating debut that combines the thrill of a heist with deep reflections on cultural identity and the lingering impact of colonialism. This novel, recognized as an instant NEW YORK TIMES bestseller and an Edgar Award nominee for Best First Novel, dives into the world of art theft with a twist—it’s about reclaiming what has been stolen.

In I, Will Chen, a senior at Harvard, is a model student and the embodiment of his parents’ American Dream. However, when a mysterious Chinese benefactor offers him an illegal job—to steal back five priceless Chinese sculptures looted from Beijing centuries ago—Will steps into the role of a heist leader. His team, comprising a con artist, a thief, a getaway driver, and a hacker, are all young Chinese Americans grappling with their own identities.

The novel, inspired by true events, is more than just a heist story. Portrait of a Thief delves into the complexities of Chinese American identity and offers a poignant critique of the effects of colonialism. Grace D. Li’s lyrical writing makes this book a must-read in the crime and thriller genre, blending beauty, thoughtfulness, and suspense in equal measure.