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The Picasso Job
One day he’s planning to marry his high school sweetheart and join the FBI.
The next, he’s behind bars.
Now, two thieves want him dead in…THE PICASSO JOB.
Chasing justice left Dakota Black a convicted felon. Inside the gray walls of Folsom State Prison, the blond farm boy who wanted to become an FBI agent finds himself mixed up with bow-legged Renoir Reza—a Machiavellian art thief with a deadly hidden agenda—and Cody Winters, the revenge-minded brother of the man Dakota supposedly put in the grave. To escape Winters’s attacks, Dakota joins Reza in a fiery jailbreak. They embark on a kamikaze crime spree seeking a five-million-dollar reward.
Before the bright lights of Reno are in their rearview mirror, Special Agent Elizabeth Everett and her partner catch the scent of their trail. She arrested Reza before and won’t stop until his murderous global plans are snuffed out.
With loyalties shifting like the wind, will any of the three fugitives manage to re-steal a Picasso painting? Or will Dakota die trying to walk a tightrope between survival and virtue?
This striking standalone from international bestselling and thirteen-time award-winning author Avanti Centrae is a twist-laden crime thriller about humanity’s struggle for freedom, justice, and redemption. It delivers an explosive blend of art theft, crime, and moral reckoning that you’ll remember long after you turn the last page.
The next, he’s behind bars.
Now, two thieves want him dead in…THE PICASSO JOB.
Chasing justice left Dakota Black a convicted felon. Inside the gray walls of Folsom State Prison, the blond farm boy who wanted to become an FBI agent finds himself mixed up with bow-legged Renoir Reza—a Machiavellian art thief with a deadly hidden agenda—and Cody Winters, the revenge-minded brother of the man Dakota supposedly put in the grave. To escape Winters’s attacks, Dakota joins Reza in a fiery jailbreak. They embark on a kamikaze crime spree seeking a five-million-dollar reward.
Before the bright lights of Reno are in their rearview mirror, Special Agent Elizabeth Everett and her partner catch the scent of their trail. She arrested Reza before and won’t stop until his murderous global plans are snuffed out.
With loyalties shifting like the wind, will any of the three fugitives manage to re-steal a Picasso painting? Or will Dakota die trying to walk a tightrope between survival and virtue?
This striking standalone from international bestselling and thirteen-time award-winning author Avanti Centrae is a twist-laden crime thriller about humanity’s struggle for freedom, justice, and redemption. It delivers an explosive blend of art theft, crime, and moral reckoning that you’ll remember long after you turn the last page.
350 pages, ebook
Published November 18, 2025
31 people are currently reading
1731 people want to read
About the author
Avanti Centrae
8 books396 followersAvanti Centrae is the author of the international award-winning VANOPS thriller series. She's honored to have won fourteen literary awards, including a Chanticleer Genre grand prize for both The Lost Power and Solstice Shadows. The Doomsday Medallion won Best Political Thriller at the annual BestThrillers.com contest and Cleopatra’s Vendetta took home a gold medal in the Conspiracy Thrillers category at the Readers’ Favorite Awards ceremony.
Her books have hit the Top 100 bestseller lists in the United States, Canadian, and Australian Amazon Kindle stores as well as the Barnes & Noble Nook store.
She’s appeared on ten radio shows, including NPR, and has been featured in dozens of podcasts and interviews. Mystery & Suspense Magazine, Authority Magazine and Thrive Global have published her articles and she was mentioned in Newsweek.
She finds inspiration from her father, who served as a US marine corporal in Okinawa gathering military intelligence and her mom, who loves history. Avanti graduated from Purdue University and has spent time in a spectrum of professions, from lifeguard and raft guide to Silicon Valley IT executive. When not traveling the world or hiking in the Sierra mountains, she’s writing her next thriller in Northern California, helped by her family and distracted by her German shepherds.
Her books have hit the Top 100 bestseller lists in the United States, Canadian, and Australian Amazon Kindle stores as well as the Barnes & Noble Nook store.
She’s appeared on ten radio shows, including NPR, and has been featured in dozens of podcasts and interviews. Mystery & Suspense Magazine, Authority Magazine and Thrive Global have published her articles and she was mentioned in Newsweek.
She finds inspiration from her father, who served as a US marine corporal in Okinawa gathering military intelligence and her mom, who loves history. Avanti graduated from Purdue University and has spent time in a spectrum of professions, from lifeguard and raft guide to Silicon Valley IT executive. When not traveling the world or hiking in the Sierra mountains, she’s writing her next thriller in Northern California, helped by her family and distracted by her German shepherds.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 42 reviews
September 9, 2025
The Picasso Job is a departure for Avanti Centrae from her VanOps series. And, I am so thrilled with this book! Combining fast-paced cops and robbers with high sophistication and nuanced emotions, The Picasso Job will keep you guessing until the end.
FBI Agent Elizabeth Everett is still mourning the death of her partner, Dixie Greenburg when she hears the news that the infamous Bijan “Renoir” Reza has escaped Folsom Prison. Everett's promotion to the Art Crimes Unit was due to her apprehension of Reza. This is not good news for her.
Reza escapes with two local California farm boys who are fighting each other due to a mistaken set of circumstances. Dakota Black and Cody Winters are hoping to make it rich while avoiding death from each other. These three art thieves are crossing America trying to meet Reza’s associates.
The author throws her characters into some interesting and humorous situations. They are supposed to meet with a funding source in the Field House in Chicago, where the Iranian Crown Jewels are being exhibited. Gunfire and mayhem almost prevent our art thieves from getting out of Chicago.
The rest of the novel is just as thrilling, entertaining, and exciting with an ending you will not believe. I loved that the plot revolved around an original Picasso painting valued at 50 million dollars. Avanti, you could have a new career ahead of you, with FBI Thrillers like this. I loved the book and highly recommend it.
Thank you to the folks at NetGalley for providing me with an Advance Reader Copy.
FBI Agent Elizabeth Everett is still mourning the death of her partner, Dixie Greenburg when she hears the news that the infamous Bijan “Renoir” Reza has escaped Folsom Prison. Everett's promotion to the Art Crimes Unit was due to her apprehension of Reza. This is not good news for her.
Reza escapes with two local California farm boys who are fighting each other due to a mistaken set of circumstances. Dakota Black and Cody Winters are hoping to make it rich while avoiding death from each other. These three art thieves are crossing America trying to meet Reza’s associates.
The author throws her characters into some interesting and humorous situations. They are supposed to meet with a funding source in the Field House in Chicago, where the Iranian Crown Jewels are being exhibited. Gunfire and mayhem almost prevent our art thieves from getting out of Chicago.
The rest of the novel is just as thrilling, entertaining, and exciting with an ending you will not believe. I loved that the plot revolved around an original Picasso painting valued at 50 million dollars. Avanti, you could have a new career ahead of you, with FBI Thrillers like this. I loved the book and highly recommend it.
Thank you to the folks at NetGalley for providing me with an Advance Reader Copy.
November 19, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ The Picasso Job by Avanti Centrae (ARC)
The Picasso Job delivers a gritty, twist-filled blend of prison drama, high-stakes art theft, and moral conflict. I would classify it as a crime thriller, suspense, heist fiction. I really enjoyed the storyline and how the plot developed from the intense breakout at Folsom Prison to the chaotic, adrenaline-filled life on the run. The fugitive dynamic between Dakota, Reza, and Winters kept me turning the pages, and the Picasso heist backdrop adds a unique and engaging layer to the narrative.
The dual timeline between the convicts and the FBI investigation was interesting, though I felt some of the transitions could have been smoother. The subplot involving the agent’s friend’s daughter didn’t land as strongly for me, it felt like it was leaning toward something bigger without fully integrating into the core story. If it’s a setup for a future book, it makes more sense; otherwise, it felt slightly out of place.
That said, the story still held my attention throughout. There are a few dramatic surprises I genuinely didn’t see coming, and even with the slower, progressive build, it remains engaging enough that you don’t want to put it down. Dakota’s internal struggle between survival and integrity adds depth that elevates the thriller beyond a typical heist story.
Overall, The Picasso Job is a solid, intriguing read with memorable characters, moral complexity, and an art-heist twist that keeps things fresh. A great pick for fans of crime thrillers with a human edge.
Sonya
BookBound and Blushed
The Picasso Job delivers a gritty, twist-filled blend of prison drama, high-stakes art theft, and moral conflict. I would classify it as a crime thriller, suspense, heist fiction. I really enjoyed the storyline and how the plot developed from the intense breakout at Folsom Prison to the chaotic, adrenaline-filled life on the run. The fugitive dynamic between Dakota, Reza, and Winters kept me turning the pages, and the Picasso heist backdrop adds a unique and engaging layer to the narrative.
The dual timeline between the convicts and the FBI investigation was interesting, though I felt some of the transitions could have been smoother. The subplot involving the agent’s friend’s daughter didn’t land as strongly for me, it felt like it was leaning toward something bigger without fully integrating into the core story. If it’s a setup for a future book, it makes more sense; otherwise, it felt slightly out of place.
That said, the story still held my attention throughout. There are a few dramatic surprises I genuinely didn’t see coming, and even with the slower, progressive build, it remains engaging enough that you don’t want to put it down. Dakota’s internal struggle between survival and integrity adds depth that elevates the thriller beyond a typical heist story.
Overall, The Picasso Job is a solid, intriguing read with memorable characters, moral complexity, and an art-heist twist that keeps things fresh. A great pick for fans of crime thrillers with a human edge.
Sonya
BookBound and Blushed
November 11, 2025
Intriguing start of a new series. Three convicts escape from prison (for different reasons) and start a crime spree fleeing the FBI agents while planning to steal a painting. Our would be main character is a simple guy whose life got sidetracked when his girlfriend died in an accident. It was sobering how easily one becomes a criminal while trying to stay on the more or less right side of the law. So I liked the story but the reason I picked up the book was the promise of the heist (and of course with Picasso in the title I expected that), but it was a relatively small part of the plot compared to terrorist activities.
Still, probably I’ll check out the next book.
Thank you NetGalley for the arc.
Still, probably I’ll check out the next book.
Thank you NetGalley for the arc.
November 3, 2025
The Iranian terrorist financer shared a cell with Black who was not really a criminal, but they WERE in Folsom Prison. The terrorist had a plan to escape and steal a stolen painting and gain five million dollars. A side problem arose shortly before implementing the elaborate escape plan assisted by the man's terrorist organization in the form of a man from Black's past who harbored a deep hatred of Black and tried to kill him. But when it came time to escape, the three of them worked together to keep stealing cars and identities to get across the country to New York.
Enter the highly motivated FBI agent who wants to find the terrorist and stuff him back into prison. Stuck with a rather dim misogynist for a partner and using the resources of the department, they dog the felons' path, discover that the end game is construction of a dirty bomb placed in synagogues in three places.
Car chases, shootouts, helicopters and more in this intense thrill ride of a novel that's a little too close to possible. Loved it!
I requested and received a temporary uncorrected review e-galley from Thunder Creek Press | Independent Book Publishers Association (IBPA), Members' Titles via NetGalley. Pub Date Nov 18, 2025 in print, ebook, and audio.
#ThePicassoJob by @avanti.centrae.author #PhoenixBk1 @ibpalovesindies #ThunderCreekPress #NetGalley #bookbub #thestorygraph #goodreads @librarythingofficial
#newseries #suspense #action #thriller #psychological #grief #family #intrigue #revenge #internationalenemies #prisonescapees #multipleperspectives #vendetta #dirtybomb #niagarafalls
Enter the highly motivated FBI agent who wants to find the terrorist and stuff him back into prison. Stuck with a rather dim misogynist for a partner and using the resources of the department, they dog the felons' path, discover that the end game is construction of a dirty bomb placed in synagogues in three places.
Car chases, shootouts, helicopters and more in this intense thrill ride of a novel that's a little too close to possible. Loved it!
I requested and received a temporary uncorrected review e-galley from Thunder Creek Press | Independent Book Publishers Association (IBPA), Members' Titles via NetGalley. Pub Date Nov 18, 2025 in print, ebook, and audio.
#ThePicassoJob by @avanti.centrae.author #PhoenixBk1 @ibpalovesindies #ThunderCreekPress #NetGalley #bookbub #thestorygraph #goodreads @librarythingofficial
#newseries #suspense #action #thriller #psychological #grief #family #intrigue #revenge #internationalenemies #prisonescapees #multipleperspectives #vendetta #dirtybomb #niagarafalls
November 18, 2025
The Picasso Job by Avanti Centrae
Thank you @booktoktours for the eARC.
This is a standalone thriller that is the very definition of a page turner.
The Picasso Job gives us a prison break, an FBI manhunt, art theft, a crime spree and a bigger global terrorist plot.
Dakota Black is in Folsom State Prison. Charged with the murder of the man who caused an accident that killed Dakota's high school sweetheart. Dakota maintains his innocence but his incarceration means his dream of one day joining the FBI is dead.
His cellmate is Renoir Reza, an Iranian art thief with connections. Reza is aware of a planned prison break and wants Black to go with him as he needs help on a job to recover a stolen Picasso painting and claim a five million reward.
Black is reluctant until his life is put at risk when he's attacked by new inmate Cody Winters. Winters is determined to avenge his brother by killing Black who was found guilty of the crime.
Going along with the risky jailbreak with Reza is Black's ticket to survival even if it means a life of crime and being on the run.
Two FBI agents are soon on their tail. Everett and Lorenzo make a good team. For Everett it's personal. She was the one that originally apprehended Reza and she believes he has terrorist connections that are responsible for the recent death of her partner and best friend.
It's a fast moving plot, sped up by short chapters, and there are some major surprises and twists that I didn't see coming.
It's like an action movie with added depth of character. Redemption, revenge, heists, shoot outs, car chases and jailbreakers that don't trust each other at all.
Great entertainment. Reading this has been a blast.
Thank you @booktoktours for the eARC.
This is a standalone thriller that is the very definition of a page turner.
The Picasso Job gives us a prison break, an FBI manhunt, art theft, a crime spree and a bigger global terrorist plot.
Dakota Black is in Folsom State Prison. Charged with the murder of the man who caused an accident that killed Dakota's high school sweetheart. Dakota maintains his innocence but his incarceration means his dream of one day joining the FBI is dead.
His cellmate is Renoir Reza, an Iranian art thief with connections. Reza is aware of a planned prison break and wants Black to go with him as he needs help on a job to recover a stolen Picasso painting and claim a five million reward.
Black is reluctant until his life is put at risk when he's attacked by new inmate Cody Winters. Winters is determined to avenge his brother by killing Black who was found guilty of the crime.
Going along with the risky jailbreak with Reza is Black's ticket to survival even if it means a life of crime and being on the run.
Two FBI agents are soon on their tail. Everett and Lorenzo make a good team. For Everett it's personal. She was the one that originally apprehended Reza and she believes he has terrorist connections that are responsible for the recent death of her partner and best friend.
It's a fast moving plot, sped up by short chapters, and there are some major surprises and twists that I didn't see coming.
It's like an action movie with added depth of character. Redemption, revenge, heists, shoot outs, car chases and jailbreakers that don't trust each other at all.
Great entertainment. Reading this has been a blast.
November 21, 2025
The Picasso Job is the first book I’ve read from author Avanti Centrae, and I am now curious to read more! I had the chance it review this advance copy from Henry Roi’s Black Tide BookTok Tours.
This story is a true thriller, packed with action and tension on every page. The characters were interesting and it was definitely a forced/reluctant alliance on the part of the thieves. The FBI is on their tail, but this book isn’t overly procedural. I was caught up in the narrative and devoured the book in two afternoons.
Art is central to the plot, and this theme elevated the dialogue and deepened the complexity of the characters. This felt like an “upscale” thriller, one that went beyond the typical cat and mouse FBI thriller. The knowledge, or lack of, gave the even the hardest criminals a more human appeal, giving us a glimpse of who they really were beneath the initial impressions.
The ending was great and the twist was good too. I recommend it!
This story is a true thriller, packed with action and tension on every page. The characters were interesting and it was definitely a forced/reluctant alliance on the part of the thieves. The FBI is on their tail, but this book isn’t overly procedural. I was caught up in the narrative and devoured the book in two afternoons.
Art is central to the plot, and this theme elevated the dialogue and deepened the complexity of the characters. This felt like an “upscale” thriller, one that went beyond the typical cat and mouse FBI thriller. The knowledge, or lack of, gave the even the hardest criminals a more human appeal, giving us a glimpse of who they really were beneath the initial impressions.
The ending was great and the twist was good too. I recommend it!
October 27, 2025
This book was packed with action from start to finish. Winters hates Black and blames him for his brother’s death, so when he lands in prison, his goal is simple—take care of Black. But things don’t go according to plan. Instead, the two of them end up breaking out together, with Reza leading the way. Reza, however, isn’t what he seems, and that’s where everything starts to spiral.
The three of them get tangled in a dangerous game that involves a major heist, a missing Picasso, and the FBI hot on their trail. The tension between them is constant—mistrust, secrets, and shifting alliances keep the story moving fast. The action never really lets up, and there’s always another twist waiting around the corner.
If you like fast-paced thrillers with strong characters, explosive action, and that enemies-to-allies edge, this one delivers.
The three of them get tangled in a dangerous game that involves a major heist, a missing Picasso, and the FBI hot on their trail. The tension between them is constant—mistrust, secrets, and shifting alliances keep the story moving fast. The action never really lets up, and there’s always another twist waiting around the corner.
If you like fast-paced thrillers with strong characters, explosive action, and that enemies-to-allies edge, this one delivers.
November 17, 2025
The Picasso Job is fast, punchy, and a little bit messy in exactly the way you want a prison-break–meets–art-heist story to be. Dakota Black is easy to root for: the kid who wanted to wear an FBI badge and instead ends up wearing an inmate number. Throwing him in with a charming art thief and a man who has every reason to hate him gives the book this constant push-pull of trust, resentment, and reluctant teamwork that keeps things interesting even between the action scenes.
The heist angle feels big and cinematic—stolen Picasso, international stakes—while still keeping the focus on the characters’ choices and regrets. I especially liked the cat-and-mouse with Special Agent Elizabeth Everett; she’s not a cardboard “cop chasing crooks,” she has history with Reza and a clear sense of her own limits. By the end, Dakota is forced to decide who he is when nobody is watching, not just whether he can stay alive.
If you enjoy crime stories with plenty of movement, sharp dialogue, and a moral gray zone instead of simple good guys and bad guys, this one is a very solid pick.
The heist angle feels big and cinematic—stolen Picasso, international stakes—while still keeping the focus on the characters’ choices and regrets. I especially liked the cat-and-mouse with Special Agent Elizabeth Everett; she’s not a cardboard “cop chasing crooks,” she has history with Reza and a clear sense of her own limits. By the end, Dakota is forced to decide who he is when nobody is watching, not just whether he can stay alive.
If you enjoy crime stories with plenty of movement, sharp dialogue, and a moral gray zone instead of simple good guys and bad guys, this one is a very solid pick.
August 30, 2025
A misshapen Iranian terrorist, a farm boy with dreams of joining the FBI and a revenge fueled brother all join up in a race across America to steal a stolen Picasso Painting. Beginning in the sewers of Folsom State Prison and culminating in the mist shrouded waters of a famous waterfall, Avanti Centrae puts you in the back seat of the getaway car or in the leather seats of the FBI Boardroom tasked with tracking down this unlikely trio. Avanti Centrae has a way of making you a silent partner whether rooting for the criminals or the law enforcement personnel. This book had me on the edge of my seat from page one to the epilogue. I have read all of her books and am always looking for the next one. I highly recommend The Picasso Job and all of her other books.
November 17, 2025
The Picasso Job surprised me in the best way. Dakota, stuck in prison with a manipulative art thief and a man who hates his guts, should be a total disaster, and somehow you still keep hoping he’ll find a way to keep his soul intact while everything around him pushes him in the opposite direction.
I really liked how the book has action but also a focus on the characters. The escape, the planning, it all is tense and cinematic. The dynamics between Dakota, Renoir, and Cody feel messy and believable, with shifting alliances that kept me wondering who I could actually trust. Elizabeth Everett on the FBI side is not just “the cop chasing them”; she has history with Reza, and that history quietly colors everything.
By the end, I was more invested in who each character chose to be than in where the painting ended up.
Fast-paced, smart and satisfying. For me, this is an easy 5-star read.
I really liked how the book has action but also a focus on the characters. The escape, the planning, it all is tense and cinematic. The dynamics between Dakota, Renoir, and Cody feel messy and believable, with shifting alliances that kept me wondering who I could actually trust. Elizabeth Everett on the FBI side is not just “the cop chasing them”; she has history with Reza, and that history quietly colors everything.
By the end, I was more invested in who each character chose to be than in where the painting ended up.
Fast-paced, smart and satisfying. For me, this is an easy 5-star read.
November 18, 2025
The Picasso Job is the first book by Ms. Centrae that I have read, but it won't be the last. She has created realistic characters that come alive on the page, making the reader want to discover more about them. She has created a protagonist who has his flaws, but at heart is basically a good man. There is plenty of action here to keep even the more ardent adrenaline junkie hooked, and enough clues and red herrings to satisfy the mystery fan. This book has it all. I sincerely hope Ms. Centrae plans to make the story of The Phenonix a long and detailed series because the character has so many layers and there is so much more to reveal about his story.
I'm looking forward to the next book, and I hope I don't have to wait too long. I highly recommend this book to adventure, thriller, and basic crime fans. I received a review copy from the author via BookSirens, and this review reflects my honest and voluntary opinion.
I'm looking forward to the next book, and I hope I don't have to wait too long. I highly recommend this book to adventure, thriller, and basic crime fans. I received a review copy from the author via BookSirens, and this review reflects my honest and voluntary opinion.
November 9, 2025
Thank you, NetGalley and Thunder Creek Press, for the gifted copy!
The Picasso Job is a smart, fast-paced thriller that blends art, mystery, and danger into one compelling chase. Avanti Centrae delivers a cinematic read filled with international intrigue, clever twists, and dynamic characters who keep you hooked from start to finish.
It’s clear Centrae knows how to build tension without ever losing the emotional core of her story. Every scene feels vivid, like a movie playing in your mind. Perfect for fans of Dan Brown or Steve Berry who love thrillers with heart and history.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
The Picasso Job is a smart, fast-paced thriller that blends art, mystery, and danger into one compelling chase. Avanti Centrae delivers a cinematic read filled with international intrigue, clever twists, and dynamic characters who keep you hooked from start to finish.
It’s clear Centrae knows how to build tension without ever losing the emotional core of her story. Every scene feels vivid, like a movie playing in your mind. Perfect for fans of Dan Brown or Steve Berry who love thrillers with heart and history.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
August 26, 2025
Fun read! While very different from her VanOps books, Avanti Centrae has penned an interesting romp that spans from a CA prison to Niagara Falls. Wonderful introductory book in what appears to be the start of her next great series. Well paced and never boring - a quick read. It should be noted that I received an advance copy of this novel in return for an honest review.
October 12, 2025
Through BookSirens I received an advance review copy, below you find my honest review.
The short summary of this book made me thinkthat this would be just the book for me. 3 prisoners, a stolen Picasso and the FBI in pursuit.
So I started reading and was a bit disappointed, confused, not sure what to call it during the first chapters. I couldn't really grasp the story, get an idea what it was about and I was doubting whether the text of the summary was really accurate. That lasted till around page 70-75.
But then the story hit off, and I was taken along for a bumpy ride. The fugitives trying to escape the people that hunt them, both parties trying to outsmart the other.
And bit by bit the stories of two of the men are told and was I as reader getting an idea of what had happened before. And that made me forget the part that I didn't get the story.
The ending is nice, although maybe a bit predictable. It didn't bother me, but it was slightly too much. (If you've read the book, you'll probably get what I mean.)
All in all a nice read!
The short summary of this book made me thinkthat this would be just the book for me. 3 prisoners, a stolen Picasso and the FBI in pursuit.
So I started reading and was a bit disappointed, confused, not sure what to call it during the first chapters. I couldn't really grasp the story, get an idea what it was about and I was doubting whether the text of the summary was really accurate. That lasted till around page 70-75.
But then the story hit off, and I was taken along for a bumpy ride. The fugitives trying to escape the people that hunt them, both parties trying to outsmart the other.
And bit by bit the stories of two of the men are told and was I as reader getting an idea of what had happened before. And that made me forget the part that I didn't get the story.
The ending is nice, although maybe a bit predictable. It didn't bother me, but it was slightly too much. (If you've read the book, you'll probably get what I mean.)
All in all a nice read!
November 18, 2025
The Picasso Job by Avanti Centrae is one of those crime-thrillers that feels like a mash-up of an escape movie, an art heist caper, and a story about second chances—all packed into one very bingeable book.
We start with Dakota “No-flak Dak” Black, who is, on paper, the good kid who did everything right. He’s about to marry his high school sweetheart, he has a clear path into the FBI, and his future looks solid. Then something goes very wrong, very fast, and he ends up in Folsom Prison. I really liked that Centrae doesn’t turn Dakota into a bland saint. He’s decent, yes, but he’s not naïve. As the book goes on, you can feel him shifting from “this is unfair” to “okay, now I have to survive,” and those changes in his choices are one of the strongest points of the book.
Inside Folsom, Dakota crosses paths with two very different men: Bijan “Renoir” Reza, a high-end art thief with a brain like a chess grandmaster, and Cody Winters, the guy who wants to see him suffer for something that happened in the past. It could easily have turned into a cartoonish trio—the mastermind thief, the golden boy, the brute—but Centrae gives each of them enough nuance that their scenes together feel tense rather than cliché.
Renoir was my favorite character to watch. He’s dangerous in that quiet, calculating way, but he’s also strangely charming. You get the sense that he truly loves art, even while he’s stealing it. The Picasso in question isn’t just a big check to him; it’s status, identity, and a way to keep dancing with danger. He’s the one who always seems half a step ahead of everyone else, and half the fun is trying to figure out whether he’s playing the long game with the other two men, with the FBI, or with absolutely everyone at once.
Cody is fueled by anger and grief, which could easily become one note, but Centrae gives him moments where you see the hurt under the rage. He’s the unpredictable part of the equation. You know Dakota and Renoir are smart enough to think strategically, but Cody is the wild card—you don’t always know whether he’s going to protect the group, sabotage them, or turn the whole situation into a personal revenge mission. That constant uncertainty keeps every decision on the road, in safe houses, and in tense standoffs feeling loaded.
While the men on the run carry one half of the book, FBI Special Agent Elizabeth Everett carries the other. She’s the one who originally arrested Renoir, and she knows his style better than almost anyone. I appreciated that she’s not reduced to “the woman chasing the bad guy.” She’s professional, methodical, and determined, but she also has doubts, missteps, and office politics to wrangle. Her sections show how a high-stakes case looks from the other side of the badge, and the way her path keeps converging with Dakota and Renoir’s makes for a nice rhythm: we get the chaos of the escape and the cool, step-by-step pressure of the investigation.
Plot-wise, the book is busy in the best sense. It opens inside Folsom, quickly moves into an escape during a wildfire (which is a very clever, visually striking set piece), and then turns into a chase centered on a five-million-dollar Picasso and a reward that could rewrite everyone’s future. Along the way, we get glimpses into the art underworld, the logistics of moving stolen paintings, and the way that money, status, and international connections twist around these criminals.
Centrae is careful with how she structures the story. Tension comes not only from external danger—law enforcement, criminals, and the environment—but also from shifting loyalties. Everyone has their own agenda. Sometimes the short-term goals line up, and sometimes they clash horribly. There are choices where you think, “If you do this, you’ll never come back from it,” and the book doesn’t dodge those moral crossroads.
One thing I really appreciated is that the author doesn’t treat the art angle as mere decoration. The Picasso isn’t just “an expensive painting.” There’s discussion of its value, provenance, and what it means to different factions: to Renoir as a prize, to collectors as a symbol, and to law enforcement as a trigger that could spark bigger, international fallout. You get a small sense of how the art market can be both beautiful and deeply corrupt at the same time.
In terms of themes, The Picasso Job wrestles with:
• Justice vs. the justice system
Dakota’s entire arc is about what happens when a good person is swallowed by a system that doesn’t always get it right. Through him, we see how prison changes people, how survival choices can darken a once-straight path, and how hard it is to keep hold of your original values when every day feels like a trap.
• Redemption and second chances
Several characters are looking for a reset button, but the book doesn’t hand it out easily. Some want a fresh start for themselves, some for their families, and some simply want to erase past humiliations or failures. Centrae seems interested in the question: who actually deserves a second chance, and who just wants to escape consequences?
• Identity
Renoir has built his whole identity around being the man who can pull off impossible art jobs. Dakota thinks of himself as “the good guy who did everything right.” Everett thinks of herself as a protector of order. Over the course of the book, each of them has to confront a version of themselves that doesn’t quite fit that neat label.
The writing style is clean, visual, and fast-paced. Centrae leans into short, punchy paragraphs during action scenes, which makes the escape sequences and chases feel very cinematic. When she slows down, it’s usually to highlight an internal conflict or a fine detail that matters later. She doesn’t bury the reader in technical jargon, but there’s enough procedural detail—both in the escape and in Everett’s investigation—to satisfy readers who enjoy the nuts and bolts of how things work.
The book also pays attention to setting. The prison, the wildfire, the safe houses, and the different stops along the hunt for the painting are all drawn in enough detail that you can picture them easily. The wildfire escape in particular feels dangerous and chaotic without turning into a blur. You can smell the smoke, feel the heat, and sense the confusion of guards and prisoners caught in something bigger than all of them.
Character relationships are at the heart of this book. The forced partnership between Dakota, Renoir, and Cody is full of friction. There are shifting alliances, quiet deals, and unspoken threats. Everett’s professional relationships—with colleagues, superiors, and informants—add another layer, showing how power dynamics inside the FBI influence decisions on the ground. Nobody is operating in a clean vacuum; everyone is constrained by loyalties, debts, fear, and ambition.
The twists are well-timed. Some you’ll see coming if you read a lot of thrillers, but there are also a few reveals that genuinely change the way you interpret earlier scenes. Centrae plays fair; the clues are there, but you don’t always recognize their importance until later.
As for content, this is a crime thriller, so expect violence, danger, and moral gray areas. Prison scenes include the expected tension and threat. The book doesn’t wallow in graphic gore, but it doesn’t sanitize the risks either. If you like your thrillers to feel grounded in real-world stakes without going full splatter, this hits that balance nicely.
I think The Picasso Job will especially appeal to:
• Readers who enjoy heist stories with brains, not just bullets
• Fans of crime fiction that explores both the criminal side and the investigative side
• Anyone who likes morally complex characters who are neither purely heroic nor purely monstrous
• Readers who enjoy art-themed thrillers, where paintings and culture are more than just window dressing
You don’t need to have read any of Centrae’s previous work to jump into this one. It stands well on its own, and by the end you’ll probably want more stories with these characters, especially Everett and Renoir, whose head-to-head energy is addictive in that cat-and-mouse way.
Overall, The Picasso Job is a smart, high-energy crime story that mixes prison escape, art theft, and personal redemption into a very satisfying read. It’s the kind of book you can pick up for “just one chapter” and suddenly realize you’ve spent the whole evening living in Dakota’s bad choices, Renoir’s clever schemes, and Everett’s relentless pursuit.
We start with Dakota “No-flak Dak” Black, who is, on paper, the good kid who did everything right. He’s about to marry his high school sweetheart, he has a clear path into the FBI, and his future looks solid. Then something goes very wrong, very fast, and he ends up in Folsom Prison. I really liked that Centrae doesn’t turn Dakota into a bland saint. He’s decent, yes, but he’s not naïve. As the book goes on, you can feel him shifting from “this is unfair” to “okay, now I have to survive,” and those changes in his choices are one of the strongest points of the book.
Inside Folsom, Dakota crosses paths with two very different men: Bijan “Renoir” Reza, a high-end art thief with a brain like a chess grandmaster, and Cody Winters, the guy who wants to see him suffer for something that happened in the past. It could easily have turned into a cartoonish trio—the mastermind thief, the golden boy, the brute—but Centrae gives each of them enough nuance that their scenes together feel tense rather than cliché.
Renoir was my favorite character to watch. He’s dangerous in that quiet, calculating way, but he’s also strangely charming. You get the sense that he truly loves art, even while he’s stealing it. The Picasso in question isn’t just a big check to him; it’s status, identity, and a way to keep dancing with danger. He’s the one who always seems half a step ahead of everyone else, and half the fun is trying to figure out whether he’s playing the long game with the other two men, with the FBI, or with absolutely everyone at once.
Cody is fueled by anger and grief, which could easily become one note, but Centrae gives him moments where you see the hurt under the rage. He’s the unpredictable part of the equation. You know Dakota and Renoir are smart enough to think strategically, but Cody is the wild card—you don’t always know whether he’s going to protect the group, sabotage them, or turn the whole situation into a personal revenge mission. That constant uncertainty keeps every decision on the road, in safe houses, and in tense standoffs feeling loaded.
While the men on the run carry one half of the book, FBI Special Agent Elizabeth Everett carries the other. She’s the one who originally arrested Renoir, and she knows his style better than almost anyone. I appreciated that she’s not reduced to “the woman chasing the bad guy.” She’s professional, methodical, and determined, but she also has doubts, missteps, and office politics to wrangle. Her sections show how a high-stakes case looks from the other side of the badge, and the way her path keeps converging with Dakota and Renoir’s makes for a nice rhythm: we get the chaos of the escape and the cool, step-by-step pressure of the investigation.
Plot-wise, the book is busy in the best sense. It opens inside Folsom, quickly moves into an escape during a wildfire (which is a very clever, visually striking set piece), and then turns into a chase centered on a five-million-dollar Picasso and a reward that could rewrite everyone’s future. Along the way, we get glimpses into the art underworld, the logistics of moving stolen paintings, and the way that money, status, and international connections twist around these criminals.
Centrae is careful with how she structures the story. Tension comes not only from external danger—law enforcement, criminals, and the environment—but also from shifting loyalties. Everyone has their own agenda. Sometimes the short-term goals line up, and sometimes they clash horribly. There are choices where you think, “If you do this, you’ll never come back from it,” and the book doesn’t dodge those moral crossroads.
One thing I really appreciated is that the author doesn’t treat the art angle as mere decoration. The Picasso isn’t just “an expensive painting.” There’s discussion of its value, provenance, and what it means to different factions: to Renoir as a prize, to collectors as a symbol, and to law enforcement as a trigger that could spark bigger, international fallout. You get a small sense of how the art market can be both beautiful and deeply corrupt at the same time.
In terms of themes, The Picasso Job wrestles with:
• Justice vs. the justice system
Dakota’s entire arc is about what happens when a good person is swallowed by a system that doesn’t always get it right. Through him, we see how prison changes people, how survival choices can darken a once-straight path, and how hard it is to keep hold of your original values when every day feels like a trap.
• Redemption and second chances
Several characters are looking for a reset button, but the book doesn’t hand it out easily. Some want a fresh start for themselves, some for their families, and some simply want to erase past humiliations or failures. Centrae seems interested in the question: who actually deserves a second chance, and who just wants to escape consequences?
• Identity
Renoir has built his whole identity around being the man who can pull off impossible art jobs. Dakota thinks of himself as “the good guy who did everything right.” Everett thinks of herself as a protector of order. Over the course of the book, each of them has to confront a version of themselves that doesn’t quite fit that neat label.
The writing style is clean, visual, and fast-paced. Centrae leans into short, punchy paragraphs during action scenes, which makes the escape sequences and chases feel very cinematic. When she slows down, it’s usually to highlight an internal conflict or a fine detail that matters later. She doesn’t bury the reader in technical jargon, but there’s enough procedural detail—both in the escape and in Everett’s investigation—to satisfy readers who enjoy the nuts and bolts of how things work.
The book also pays attention to setting. The prison, the wildfire, the safe houses, and the different stops along the hunt for the painting are all drawn in enough detail that you can picture them easily. The wildfire escape in particular feels dangerous and chaotic without turning into a blur. You can smell the smoke, feel the heat, and sense the confusion of guards and prisoners caught in something bigger than all of them.
Character relationships are at the heart of this book. The forced partnership between Dakota, Renoir, and Cody is full of friction. There are shifting alliances, quiet deals, and unspoken threats. Everett’s professional relationships—with colleagues, superiors, and informants—add another layer, showing how power dynamics inside the FBI influence decisions on the ground. Nobody is operating in a clean vacuum; everyone is constrained by loyalties, debts, fear, and ambition.
The twists are well-timed. Some you’ll see coming if you read a lot of thrillers, but there are also a few reveals that genuinely change the way you interpret earlier scenes. Centrae plays fair; the clues are there, but you don’t always recognize their importance until later.
As for content, this is a crime thriller, so expect violence, danger, and moral gray areas. Prison scenes include the expected tension and threat. The book doesn’t wallow in graphic gore, but it doesn’t sanitize the risks either. If you like your thrillers to feel grounded in real-world stakes without going full splatter, this hits that balance nicely.
I think The Picasso Job will especially appeal to:
• Readers who enjoy heist stories with brains, not just bullets
• Fans of crime fiction that explores both the criminal side and the investigative side
• Anyone who likes morally complex characters who are neither purely heroic nor purely monstrous
• Readers who enjoy art-themed thrillers, where paintings and culture are more than just window dressing
You don’t need to have read any of Centrae’s previous work to jump into this one. It stands well on its own, and by the end you’ll probably want more stories with these characters, especially Everett and Renoir, whose head-to-head energy is addictive in that cat-and-mouse way.
Overall, The Picasso Job is a smart, high-energy crime story that mixes prison escape, art theft, and personal redemption into a very satisfying read. It’s the kind of book you can pick up for “just one chapter” and suddenly realize you’ve spent the whole evening living in Dakota’s bad choices, Renoir’s clever schemes, and Everett’s relentless pursuit.
November 20, 2025
The Picasso Job is one of those crime stories that starts with a simple “wrong place, wrong time” and then keeps complicating the moral ground under everyone’s feet. Dakota Black, who once dreamed of joining the FBI, is now stuck in Folsom after a disastrous attempt at justice left him branded a felon. That contrast—boy-next-door idealism versus the brutal reality of prison life—is the heartbeat of the book.
Inside Folsom, Dakota gets tangled with two unforgettable characters: Renoir “Reza,” a sly, art-obsessed thief with his own secret agenda, and Cody Winters, who has every reason to want Dakota dead. The early prison sections are tense and grimy without being gratuitous. You really feel how out of his depth Dakota is, yet you also see the stubborn streak of decency he refuses to abandon, even when teaming up with someone as slippery as Reza is the only way to survive.
Once the fiery jailbreak happens, the book shifts gears into a high-stakes chase. The crime spree that follows isn’t just gratuitous chaos—it’s all tied to the lure of a five-million-dollar reward and one very famous Picasso. At the same time, Special Agent Elizabeth Everett and her partner get involved, and she’s a great counterweight to the fugitives. She has history with Reza and a clear sense of justice, but she never feels like a cardboard “lady cop” stereotype. Her chapters add a welcome law-enforcement perspective without slowing things down.
I liked how loyalties keep shifting. Dakota is constantly forced to ask himself who he is: the would-be FBI agent still trying to do the right thing, or the desperate fugitive willing to bend his own moral code to stay alive? Reza, meanwhile, is charming, dangerous, and never fully trustworthy, which makes every partnership moment feel like it could explode. The tension doesn’t come only from gunfights or car chases, but from the question of whether anyone can walk away from this Picasso scheme with their integrity—and their pulse—intact.
Stylistically, the book moves quickly. Short chapters, clean prose, and well-timed reveals keep the momentum going. The art-heist angle adds a stylish flair—this isn’t just about money, it’s about reputation, ego, and legacy. The ending ties those threads together in a way that feels earned, with just enough gray area to keep you thinking about Dakota’s choices after you turn the last page.
Inside Folsom, Dakota gets tangled with two unforgettable characters: Renoir “Reza,” a sly, art-obsessed thief with his own secret agenda, and Cody Winters, who has every reason to want Dakota dead. The early prison sections are tense and grimy without being gratuitous. You really feel how out of his depth Dakota is, yet you also see the stubborn streak of decency he refuses to abandon, even when teaming up with someone as slippery as Reza is the only way to survive.
Once the fiery jailbreak happens, the book shifts gears into a high-stakes chase. The crime spree that follows isn’t just gratuitous chaos—it’s all tied to the lure of a five-million-dollar reward and one very famous Picasso. At the same time, Special Agent Elizabeth Everett and her partner get involved, and she’s a great counterweight to the fugitives. She has history with Reza and a clear sense of justice, but she never feels like a cardboard “lady cop” stereotype. Her chapters add a welcome law-enforcement perspective without slowing things down.
I liked how loyalties keep shifting. Dakota is constantly forced to ask himself who he is: the would-be FBI agent still trying to do the right thing, or the desperate fugitive willing to bend his own moral code to stay alive? Reza, meanwhile, is charming, dangerous, and never fully trustworthy, which makes every partnership moment feel like it could explode. The tension doesn’t come only from gunfights or car chases, but from the question of whether anyone can walk away from this Picasso scheme with their integrity—and their pulse—intact.
Stylistically, the book moves quickly. Short chapters, clean prose, and well-timed reveals keep the momentum going. The art-heist angle adds a stylish flair—this isn’t just about money, it’s about reputation, ego, and legacy. The ending ties those threads together in a way that feels earned, with just enough gray area to keep you thinking about Dakota’s choices after you turn the last page.
November 3, 2025
Dakota “No-flak Dak” Black once dreamed of joining the FBI. Instead, he’s serving time in Folsom Prison for a crime he swears he didn’t commit. When a notorious Iranian art thief, Bijan “Renoir” Reza, engineers a daring escape amid wildfire and chaos, Dakota seizes the chance for freedom, only to find himself hunted by Cody Winters, the vengeful brother of the man he supposedly killed. Bound together by desperation and betrayal, the three fugitives become reluctant partners, embarking on a deadly quest to recover a stolen Picasso worth five million dollars.
Meanwhile, FBI agent Elizabeth Everett, who once captured Reza, is back on his trail and determined to stop him before his “art job” fuels an international crisis. Everett, driven by grief and duty, provides a compelling counterbalance to the fugitives’ chaos.
Who deserves freedom and who merely seizes it? Fueled in part by hugely engaging internal dialogue (A hooded Darth Vader sweatshirt was draped over the back seat, and he took it, pulling it over his head. He’d never stolen anything before. Making a mental note of the address, 10944 Bullion Way, he promised to have a new sweatshirt delivered at his earliest opportunity. That address would be easy to remember—at least the Bullion part), the book’s thematic core lifts it above the standard crime thriller and into something much more. It’s a white-knuckled exploration of justice, freedom and redemption set against the backdrop of stolen art and moral compromise.
Throughout, Centrae seamlessly blends high-stakes espionage with cultural and artistic lore. The Picasso becomes a symbol of humanity’s capacity for both creation and corruption. Beneath the action, the story is layered with emotional depth: Dakota’s struggle between survival and integrity gives it a human heartbeat, while Reza’s cold brilliance and twisted code of honor make him a villain worth remembering. Brace yourself for a high-concept, high-heart journey you’ll recall long after the final page.
Meanwhile, FBI agent Elizabeth Everett, who once captured Reza, is back on his trail and determined to stop him before his “art job” fuels an international crisis. Everett, driven by grief and duty, provides a compelling counterbalance to the fugitives’ chaos.
Who deserves freedom and who merely seizes it? Fueled in part by hugely engaging internal dialogue (A hooded Darth Vader sweatshirt was draped over the back seat, and he took it, pulling it over his head. He’d never stolen anything before. Making a mental note of the address, 10944 Bullion Way, he promised to have a new sweatshirt delivered at his earliest opportunity. That address would be easy to remember—at least the Bullion part), the book’s thematic core lifts it above the standard crime thriller and into something much more. It’s a white-knuckled exploration of justice, freedom and redemption set against the backdrop of stolen art and moral compromise.
Throughout, Centrae seamlessly blends high-stakes espionage with cultural and artistic lore. The Picasso becomes a symbol of humanity’s capacity for both creation and corruption. Beneath the action, the story is layered with emotional depth: Dakota’s struggle between survival and integrity gives it a human heartbeat, while Reza’s cold brilliance and twisted code of honor make him a villain worth remembering. Brace yourself for a high-concept, high-heart journey you’ll recall long after the final page.
November 28, 2025
Headline: Fast-paced action. Unputdownable!
Review spotlight:
Two things that make for a pleasurable read in author Avanti Centrae's brand of action-adventure /techno thrillers.
One: A well-researched twist on something historically mysterious or significant, i.e. the winter solstice (VanOps Book 2, 2020), the prophetic quatrains of M. Michel de Nostredame (VanOps Book 3, 2022), and the legend of Cleopatra long after that decisive Battle of Actium in 31 BC that saw Octavian defeat Cleopatra and Mark Antony (Cleopatra's Vendetta, 2022).
(Continued below.)
-----
// "The Picasso Job" by Avanti Centrae (2025) //
With its fast-paced road trip, this book, for some reason, brings to mind another unputdownable: Amor Towles' "The Lincoln Highway" (2021). Two young men constantly at each other's throat take a cross-country trip with an eccentric bow-legged art criminal, mobster and former IRGC guard, with the FBI hot on their trail.
The Prize. A self-portrait, circa 1969 by none other than Pablo Picasso.
The Road Trip. Action out of the gate with a sensational jailbreak from Folsom State Prison in the Sacramento, CA area, then east to Reno, to Cheyenne, Wyoming, to a rough rendezvous with mobsters in Chicago, to Sandy Beach, Grand Island, NY near Niagara Falls.
Ultimately, to the targeted prize secured in a nefarious gangster's mansion on Foxtail Isle, NY (fictional). And this is where the two quarreling young men, Dakota Black and Cody Winters, find out they have far more in common in life and their upbringing.
The Legend. Book 1 culminates in an electrifying final scene, as one of the young men does a "Annie Edson Taylor" feat, 175 ft. high over the Niagara River in an improvised contraption, down to its churning waters, south to north, from the waters of Lake Erie onto Lake Ontario.
Epilog. The book ends with Dakota Black introducing himself to an art curator at Musée national Picasso-Paris. He sees her in her favorite T-shirt "...with the crimson, gold and purple bird rising from the ashes..." It gives him an idea.
"Call me Phoenix...!"
-----
Review spotlight (continued).
And, two: A bucket list to exotic far-flung places inexorably tied to the twist. (Read the books to find out!)
Even as the the former Silicon valley IT executive adds her prodigious take to the narrative of her novels, cutting-edge scientific and technological axioms —high temperature superconductivity, quantum computing and zero-point energy which the author ties to the Japanese martial art, Aikidō (合気道), "The Way of Unifying with Life Energy" in her "VanOps" trilogy.
Fast-paced action-adventure. Unputdownable!
Review based on an advance review copy courtesy of Thunder Creek Press and NetGalley.
---------------
Buy the book here:
https://amzn.to/48Gn9Rx
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Review spotlight:
Two things that make for a pleasurable read in author Avanti Centrae's brand of action-adventure /techno thrillers.
One: A well-researched twist on something historically mysterious or significant, i.e. the winter solstice (VanOps Book 2, 2020), the prophetic quatrains of M. Michel de Nostredame (VanOps Book 3, 2022), and the legend of Cleopatra long after that decisive Battle of Actium in 31 BC that saw Octavian defeat Cleopatra and Mark Antony (Cleopatra's Vendetta, 2022).
(Continued below.)
-----
// "The Picasso Job" by Avanti Centrae (2025) //
With its fast-paced road trip, this book, for some reason, brings to mind another unputdownable: Amor Towles' "The Lincoln Highway" (2021). Two young men constantly at each other's throat take a cross-country trip with an eccentric bow-legged art criminal, mobster and former IRGC guard, with the FBI hot on their trail.
The Prize. A self-portrait, circa 1969 by none other than Pablo Picasso.
The Road Trip. Action out of the gate with a sensational jailbreak from Folsom State Prison in the Sacramento, CA area, then east to Reno, to Cheyenne, Wyoming, to a rough rendezvous with mobsters in Chicago, to Sandy Beach, Grand Island, NY near Niagara Falls.
Ultimately, to the targeted prize secured in a nefarious gangster's mansion on Foxtail Isle, NY (fictional). And this is where the two quarreling young men, Dakota Black and Cody Winters, find out they have far more in common in life and their upbringing.
The Legend. Book 1 culminates in an electrifying final scene, as one of the young men does a "Annie Edson Taylor" feat, 175 ft. high over the Niagara River in an improvised contraption, down to its churning waters, south to north, from the waters of Lake Erie onto Lake Ontario.
Epilog. The book ends with Dakota Black introducing himself to an art curator at Musée national Picasso-Paris. He sees her in her favorite T-shirt "...with the crimson, gold and purple bird rising from the ashes..." It gives him an idea.
"Call me Phoenix...!"
-----
Review spotlight (continued).
And, two: A bucket list to exotic far-flung places inexorably tied to the twist. (Read the books to find out!)
Even as the the former Silicon valley IT executive adds her prodigious take to the narrative of her novels, cutting-edge scientific and technological axioms —high temperature superconductivity, quantum computing and zero-point energy which the author ties to the Japanese martial art, Aikidō (合気道), "The Way of Unifying with Life Energy" in her "VanOps" trilogy.
Fast-paced action-adventure. Unputdownable!
Review based on an advance review copy courtesy of Thunder Creek Press and NetGalley.
---------------
Buy the book here:
https://amzn.to/48Gn9Rx
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
November 5, 2025
The Picasso Job is book one in a brand new series from Avanti Centrae, and yet the players feel so familiar it’s as if they’ve stepped out of her previous worlds. I tried my darndest to connect them to the VanOps crew but no luck, though that same heartbeat of danger and intelligence is there. There’s a new player in the game now: Phoenix. And by the time you hit the last page, you’ll be ready to follow wherever this team goes next.
This is so much more than a cops and robbers thriller. A priceless Picasso painting has been stolen, and the notorious art thief Bijan Renoir Reza is locked away in Folsom State Prison. The feds think they’ve contained their problem, focused on Iran’s race toward nuclear capability, not a painting. But what if that masterpiece could bankroll the purchase of uranium? What if a single heist could fund catastrophe? When Reza gets wind of the plan, he knows he needs help and a way out. Enter Dakota Black, his cellmate so ordinary you can’t imagine how he ended up behind bars, and Winters, a man nursing a years-long vendetta. When the prison goes dark and chaos erupts, the three flee into a dangerous race for the Picasso, each driven by their own motives and an uneasy alliance that teeters between loyalty and betrayal.
FBI Agent Elizabeth Everett is the perfect counterbalance to their storm. Still reeling from the loss of her partner, she’s a sharp, determined agent with her own score to settle and nothing will stop her from finding Reza. Centrae threads the chase with her signature tension and moral complexity, weaving a story that asks not just who will survive, but what justice, freedom, and redemption truly cost. The Picasso Job is fast, clever, and cinematic . Firing on all cylinders, this is a fresh start to a series that promises even bigger things ahead.
This is so much more than a cops and robbers thriller. A priceless Picasso painting has been stolen, and the notorious art thief Bijan Renoir Reza is locked away in Folsom State Prison. The feds think they’ve contained their problem, focused on Iran’s race toward nuclear capability, not a painting. But what if that masterpiece could bankroll the purchase of uranium? What if a single heist could fund catastrophe? When Reza gets wind of the plan, he knows he needs help and a way out. Enter Dakota Black, his cellmate so ordinary you can’t imagine how he ended up behind bars, and Winters, a man nursing a years-long vendetta. When the prison goes dark and chaos erupts, the three flee into a dangerous race for the Picasso, each driven by their own motives and an uneasy alliance that teeters between loyalty and betrayal.
FBI Agent Elizabeth Everett is the perfect counterbalance to their storm. Still reeling from the loss of her partner, she’s a sharp, determined agent with her own score to settle and nothing will stop her from finding Reza. Centrae threads the chase with her signature tension and moral complexity, weaving a story that asks not just who will survive, but what justice, freedom, and redemption truly cost. The Picasso Job is fast, clever, and cinematic . Firing on all cylinders, this is a fresh start to a series that promises even bigger things ahead.
November 24, 2025
Okay listen… I cracked this book open thinking “cool, art theft, FBI drama.”
AND THEN—
Next thing I know, Dakota Black went from “marry his high school sweetheart 🥹” to “welcome to Folsom, babe 😬,” and I was strapped in like I didn’t consent but also absolutely did.
This story doesn’t walk—it RUNS.
Actually no, it sprints like it stole a Picasso and set it on fire for warmth.
We’ve got:
✨ a farm-boy-turned-felon who just wanted to fight crime, not become it
✨ a bow-legged Machiavellian art thief whose moral compass is basically a blender set to purée
✨ a revenge-obsessed inmate who wakes up choosing violence AND cardio
✨ an FBI agent who smells a fugitive like a bloodhound with a caffeine addiction
✨ loyalties flipping faster than pancakes at 3 a.m.
The jailbreak? Chaos.
The crime spree? Beautiful disaster.
The moral tension? Chef’s kiss.
My pulse? Somewhere between “should I sit down?” and “is this a workout?”
Centrae’s writing is a thrill-ride with trust issues—every chapter sucker-punches you with a twist you swear you didn’t see coming, even though she left it RIGHT THERE like a neon sign.
This isn’t just crime fiction.
This is high-stakes art heist meets philosophical meltdown, garnished with explosive action and a dash of “I need therapy but fun.”
If you want a thriller that rips you through the mud, the morality, and the museum—THIS IS IT.
I closed the book feeling like I survived something illegal… and honestly?
10/10 would do it again. 🎨🔥🖤
AND THEN—
Next thing I know, Dakota Black went from “marry his high school sweetheart 🥹” to “welcome to Folsom, babe 😬,” and I was strapped in like I didn’t consent but also absolutely did.
This story doesn’t walk—it RUNS.
Actually no, it sprints like it stole a Picasso and set it on fire for warmth.
We’ve got:
✨ a farm-boy-turned-felon who just wanted to fight crime, not become it
✨ a bow-legged Machiavellian art thief whose moral compass is basically a blender set to purée
✨ a revenge-obsessed inmate who wakes up choosing violence AND cardio
✨ an FBI agent who smells a fugitive like a bloodhound with a caffeine addiction
✨ loyalties flipping faster than pancakes at 3 a.m.
The jailbreak? Chaos.
The crime spree? Beautiful disaster.
The moral tension? Chef’s kiss.
My pulse? Somewhere between “should I sit down?” and “is this a workout?”
Centrae’s writing is a thrill-ride with trust issues—every chapter sucker-punches you with a twist you swear you didn’t see coming, even though she left it RIGHT THERE like a neon sign.
This isn’t just crime fiction.
This is high-stakes art heist meets philosophical meltdown, garnished with explosive action and a dash of “I need therapy but fun.”
If you want a thriller that rips you through the mud, the morality, and the museum—THIS IS IT.
I closed the book feeling like I survived something illegal… and honestly?
10/10 would do it again. 🎨🔥🖤
December 6, 2025
This story starts out with prison drama followed by a jail break. This is a dual timeline book between the convicts and the FBI. There are three convicts - the leader is really a bad guy that will to do anything to meet his objective. The other two guys really just got pulled into the mess for interesting reasons. They really are in a moral conflict over what they are doing to just stay alive.
The FBI side of the story is not as interesting, but a necessary part of the story. Art is part of this story from start to finish. An original Picasso painting is going to be the source of income for the convicts freedom. But wait - the only convict that really knows the plan for the painting is the leader. The other two are just on a "need to know" basis - they do not know the real plan until it is too late. The story also includes information about the trips in history of people going over Niagara Falls in interesting floating containers.
The FBI side of the story is not as interesting, but a necessary part of the story. Art is part of this story from start to finish. An original Picasso painting is going to be the source of income for the convicts freedom. But wait - the only convict that really knows the plan for the painting is the leader. The other two are just on a "need to know" basis - they do not know the real plan until it is too late. The story also includes information about the trips in history of people going over Niagara Falls in interesting floating containers.
January 2, 2026
This book is a fast and gripping crime thriller. The story follows Dakota Black, a troubled man trapped in Folsom State Prison. His life changes when he joins forces with a smart and dangerous art thief and a man driven by revenge. A stolen Picasso painting sits at the centre of the plot. The escape, the chase, and the heist move quickly and keep tension high.
The characters feel real and damaged. Dakota wants redemption. Reza is clever and ruthless. Winters is angry and unpredictable. FBI Agent Elizabeth Everett adds balance and pressure as she closes in.
The writing is sharp and visual. The pacing is strong. Moral choices matter. Betrayal feels earned. The prison scenes are gritty. The outside world feels risky and alive.
This is an entertaining read with depth. It mixes crime, art theft, and emotion well. The ending leaves a strong impact and sets up a promise for more stories.
Thank you, Netgalley, for providing an advance copy of the book for review.
The characters feel real and damaged. Dakota wants redemption. Reza is clever and ruthless. Winters is angry and unpredictable. FBI Agent Elizabeth Everett adds balance and pressure as she closes in.
The writing is sharp and visual. The pacing is strong. Moral choices matter. Betrayal feels earned. The prison scenes are gritty. The outside world feels risky and alive.
This is an entertaining read with depth. It mixes crime, art theft, and emotion well. The ending leaves a strong impact and sets up a promise for more stories.
Thank you, Netgalley, for providing an advance copy of the book for review.
November 13, 2025
The Picasso Job, by Avanti Centrae follows two cellmates in prison who become involved in plans for a heist to make millions. They are able to bust out of prison, and now their group of two becomes three: a hardened criminal, a man with a conscience, and a vengeful prisoner. Can they pull off the heist?
I rate this book 3 stars. It was average. I liked it, but once I finished the book, I never thought about it again except for writing my review. That being said, it did pull me in enough that I wanted to see how it ended. It was easy to read and flowed well, but it lacked something to make it different from other storylines like this. I didn’t like a few characters, and the unexpected twist near the end wasn’t surprising enough to change my mind on the book.
I received this book as an ARC for an honest review. It’s expected to release on November 18th, 2025.
I rate this book 3 stars. It was average. I liked it, but once I finished the book, I never thought about it again except for writing my review. That being said, it did pull me in enough that I wanted to see how it ended. It was easy to read and flowed well, but it lacked something to make it different from other storylines like this. I didn’t like a few characters, and the unexpected twist near the end wasn’t surprising enough to change my mind on the book.
I received this book as an ARC for an honest review. It’s expected to release on November 18th, 2025.
December 16, 2025
This is the first book I have read by this author and I loved it. The story moved very quickly and had a lot of twists to it. The story starts with Dakota in prison for a manslaughter he says he didn't commit. His cellmate is a real bad Iranian character but he does teach him Farsi. Art becomes Dakota's escape while in prison. Things start to get a bit more interesting just before the prison break and then we meet the feisty FBI agent that put his cell mate in jail.
It all comes together as she gets on their trail.
I received an advanced reader copy for free and am leaving this review voluntarily.
If you are looking for a tale with terrorists, art thief, jail breaks, car heists across the country, and the FBI on the trail, then this story is for you. I am looking forward to the next one in this series.
It all comes together as she gets on their trail.
I received an advanced reader copy for free and am leaving this review voluntarily.
If you are looking for a tale with terrorists, art thief, jail breaks, car heists across the country, and the FBI on the trail, then this story is for you. I am looking forward to the next one in this series.
October 16, 2025
Avanti Centrae has done it again with an awesome book!! It’s different from “Van Ops” and others she has written. It starts with three prisoners in Folsom Prison, then a breakout with Reza, Dakota and Winters. Winters thinks Dakota killed his younger brother, but is he in for a surprise. Reza convinces Dakota and Winters to help him steal a Picasso which was previously stolen by a mobster. It’s a crime spree race across the country. The FBI agents Everett and Lorenzo are in hot pursuit. The ending is something to die for and will not disappoint, just like Avanti’s previous books. I look forward to several sequels. Read it and you too will be a page turner as I was with “The Picasso Job.”
November 19, 2025
Literally action packed! Prison break, terrorist plot, art theft and crime spree, and an FBI manhunt. This book has it all.
Dakota Black, who once dreamt of a career with the FBI, finds himself in Folsom prison, for a murder he says he did not commit. His cellmate Renoir - an Iranian art thief, has learned of a planned prison break and wants Dakota to join him, and help him steal a Picasso painting worth 5 million! Dakota is reluctant, but after he is attacked by his new cellmate, he decides his only way to survive now is to follow a life of crime and be on the run.
Fast paced with huge amounts of action and plenty of surprises in store. This is a definite page turner and gives readers a thrilling ride!
Dakota Black, who once dreamt of a career with the FBI, finds himself in Folsom prison, for a murder he says he did not commit. His cellmate Renoir - an Iranian art thief, has learned of a planned prison break and wants Dakota to join him, and help him steal a Picasso painting worth 5 million! Dakota is reluctant, but after he is attacked by his new cellmate, he decides his only way to survive now is to follow a life of crime and be on the run.
Fast paced with huge amounts of action and plenty of surprises in store. This is a definite page turner and gives readers a thrilling ride!
December 1, 2025
This is a very interesting thriller and one I enjoyed. I have read the VanOps adventures and was pleasantly surprised with an entirely different plot. A prison break and a cross country chase provide lots of action. The FBI is on them because one fellow is a terrorist. The others? There are good guys and bad guys but with twists at the end, not all bad guys were as bad as I thought.
Lots of action and good character development made this thriller a good one to read. The Author's Note was very informative, giving facts about the plot. And the best part is that one of the fellows survived. I hope he will be in future novels.
I received a complimentary egalley of this book from the publisher. My comments are an independent and honest review.
Lots of action and good character development made this thriller a good one to read. The Author's Note was very informative, giving facts about the plot. And the best part is that one of the fellows survived. I hope he will be in future novels.
I received a complimentary egalley of this book from the publisher. My comments are an independent and honest review.
September 3, 2025
The first in a new series by a favorite author. This plot is interesting, the story nuanced. Interesting relationship is developed between the characters who were inprisoned together. What starts as a trio formed out of necessity and dependence evolves into three distinct personalities. all concealing truths that which come to light during days spent together. Having been a female in law enforcement myself, the police and FBI characters’ attitudes , methods and relationships are true to what Zi saw and experienced. I do recommend this book and look forward to what comes next for these characters.
November 30, 2025
Dakota Black, a convicted felon in Folsom State Prison, gets mixed up with art thief Renoir Reza and Cody Winters, who is seeking revenge against Dakota. To escape Cody's attacks, Dakota and Reza plan a dangerous jailbreak and a crime spree for a five-million-dollar reward. However, Special Agent Elizabeth Everett is on their trail, determined to stop Reza's deadly plans. Will they succeed or face deadly consequences?
A bit of a change from my usual reading pattern in this book with gritty drama and plenty of high stakes suspense. The interaction between the principal characters held my interest though sometimes the switch withing the timelines left trying to get back into the tale.
A bit of a change from my usual reading pattern in this book with gritty drama and plenty of high stakes suspense. The interaction between the principal characters held my interest though sometimes the switch withing the timelines left trying to get back into the tale.
September 3, 2025
The Picasso Job is a thriller that will lead you from one chapter to the next with intrigue and action. Avanti Centrae's character development is top notch, delving into the nuances of each character's unique development to get to this point. I was sad to finish the novel! The plot twists were fresh and exciting, I didn't see them coming and it made for a wonderful read. I've read several of her other books and enjoyed them, you can expect the same for The Picasso Job. Thank you Avanti for sharing your work with us!.
Jacob D. - Louisiana
Jacob D. - Louisiana
Displaying 1 - 30 of 42 reviews