The Last Masterpiece

A Novel of World War II Italy

By: Laura Morelli

Narrated by: Stina Nielsen, Christa Lewis

In a race across Nazi-occupied Italy, two women—a German photographer and an American stenographer—hunt for priceless masterpieces looted from the Florentine art collections.

In the summer of 1943, Eva Brunner is taking photographs of Nazi-looted art hidden in the salt mines of the Austrian hinterland. Across the ocean in Connecticut, Josephine Evans is working as a humble typist at the Yale Art Gallery.

When both women are called to Italy to contribute to the war effort, neither imagines she will hold the fate of some of the world’s greatest masterpieces torn from the Uffizi Galleries and other Florentine art collections in her hands.

But as Italy turns from ally to enemy and Hitler’s plan to destroy irreplaceable monuments and works of art becomes frighteningly clear, each woman’s race against the clock—and against one another—might demand more than they were prepared to give.

The Last Masterpiece takes readers on a heart-pumping adventure up the Italian peninsula, where nothing is as it seems and some of the greatest works of art and human achievement are at stake. Who might steal and who might save a work of art—and at what cost?

Inspired by the incredible true story of the Monuments Women, the Fifth Army WACs, and the looted Florentine art collections during World War II, the latest historical novel by USA Today bestselling author and art historian Laura Morelli plunges readers into the heart of war-torn Italy.

Supplemental enhancement PDF accompanies the audiobook.

Stolen Art - Italy

My understanding of the scope of Nazi art theft during WWII was gradual. News stories. A few documentaries. I was shocked when the amount of art in the Russian Hermitage Museum was revealed. Then I saw the recent movie, The Monuments Men. They portrayed visually the magnitude of the stolen art of Europe.

What The Last Masterpiece brings to this history is its focus on Italian art. Italy was the center of the Renaissance, and its museums were full of the most precious paintings ready to be gathered up and sent to Germany. Although fictional, Morelli creates a living story. She allows a place for women's work on the projects, something that has been ignored, Morelli herself immerses in the cities and spaces of Italy, visits the museums and historic buildings, then writes so the reader has the sense of almost being there with her. The lushness and beauty of Florence, and then its destruction caused my heart to ache. Told from the point of view of two women cataloging the art from two different political perspectives gives the novel a sweeping sense of history and shows how conflicting purposes of war can each inspire dedication. This story is richer in texture than anything else I have read about the stolen art, and I am glad I found it.

Accuracy! Fascinating!

Held my interest throughout! Wonderfully written. The soft spokeness of the reader kept me calm and interested.

Saving ART!

I’ve been reading WWII fiction all my adult life and still am amazed at what historical fiction teaches me, all while I’m enjoying a good book. There was so much in The Last Masterpiece that astounded me. Heart breaking that both the Allies and the Nazis destroyed so much historic art and buildings. But how brave of the Italian people to work so hard to hide precious masterpieces. As the author points out, the world is much richer for it.


I enjoyed see the story of the monuments saving from the female perspective—and from both a US and German POV. That also brought on the perspective of those receiving the misinformation. I’m the end, I’m thankful, all over again, for those who sacrificed so much.

The Last Masterpiece

The comparison of two women, different sides of the war, never meeting to accomplish the same ending.

Outstanding Historical Novel

I was impressed with the story line and the development of the characters, and the parallel tracks of the two female characters. The narration was also outstanding with a pleasing voice and excellent accents. I can’t wait to read another of this author’s novels!