The empty frames in the Gardner Museum from the infamous heist are
the backdrop to B. A. Shapiro's "The Art Forger"
I've just read two new novels that are set in Boston which are very good. They each do deep dives into specific times and areas that are really interesting, give you a glimpse into some Bostonhistory, and are page turners.
The Technologists by Matthew Pearl
This book takes a great look at life in Boston in the late 1860's, covers the early days of MIT, and shows how difficult it was to get science accepted in a time that the church (and Harvard) had alot of power in the region. Its a fun read that has mystery, history, old school tech, and a bit of adventure in it.
An MIT book review does a good job giving the basics of the story:
The Art Forger by B. A. Shapiro
Set in present day Boston, the plot of B.A. Shapiro's fun page turner revolves around the Gardner Museum heist which happened more than 20 years before. There's lots of Boston area details including visits to the Gardner Museum, the MFA, and the Back Bay.
This review did the best job of summarizing what I thought of the book:
Garnder Image from: HOLLY SALMON/COURTESY ISABELLA STEWART GARDNER MUSEUM, BOSTON