With his sixth consecutive bestseller, the upflappable Peter Mayle serves up a delectable novel of glamour, amour, fine art, haute cuisine, felony, and farce in the South of France and points elsewhere. His ingredients: A devilishly clever art scam. A dashing photographer who gets curious when he sees a priceless Cezanne being loaded cavalierly into a plumber's van. An earnest young heroine who looks smashing in a beret. An imperious New York editrix, famous for power-lunching at two tables at once.

Added as well are art dealers crooked and straight, the Rembrandt of all forgers, a meticulous hit man, and the legendary chefs whose lovingly described culinary masterpieces make Chasing Cezanne as delicious as a petit four and as reviving as a glass of pastis.