I have not read much non-fiction this year. Frankly, I've started a lot of Non-fiction and DNF'd it. Ask me about the "Biography of Water" (or maybe, just don't).
I saw Tim Carpenter's book (in audio) on Net Galley and hesitated. I have a lot of galleys at the moment, but honestly a book about the FBI and Art Crime? I finally just decided to give it a go. I'm so glad I did. I honestly didn't even know an "Art Crime" division of the FBI existed and now I'm quite jealous of that career. (kinda sorta). It's definitely not something I immediately associate with the FBI. Carpenter makes a great case for the critical importance of solving crimes involving art.
Without any spoilers- even though it's non-fiction one can still spoil a book... Carpenter gives us the story of an unlikely FBI case where he and his team worked to assess, process and repatriate thousands of artifacts and remains which had all been collected by a single "collector" over decades. Much of the items were Native American, but Carpenter notes items from multiple other countries including Haiti and China. This wasn't a case of a few small items but instead an entire compound of displays tucked away on a mid-western farmstead. You can read more on the case outside of this novel Here. Even though this was major news, I really don't recall it.
Carpenter tells the story of first discovering this trove of mostly illegal items, to building the case, and the careful execution of recovery and repatriation of these artifacts and remains. An excellent book for book clubs, and students the narrative raises questions about collectors, collections, cultural nuance, and cultural rights.
I loved it. It was an easy listen and held my interest all the way through. There are some moments where Carpenter strays away from the point and then, 45 minutes later returns to the point, but, he's not a professional author and it didn't detract from my enjoyment. This is slated to come out in October and I'm hoping to bring it to my book club! This would also make a great gift for the non-fiction reader in your life who's interested in true crime, police procedurals, and the rights of indigenous peoples. First Published : 10/2025
Pages: 320
Available as an Audio Book :YES
Trigger Warnings: violent events, true crime, illness of child, mention of pandemic.
Not a full TW list, please read responsibly.
