THE PAINT: A Novel of Art, Science, and Deception

by Dimitry Shabsis

THE PAINT
A Novel of Art, Science, and Deception

Things aren't always what they seem to be. Sometimes the forger escapes. Sometimes love wins. Sometimes the perfect crime is to disappear completely and find peace in anonymity. This is the story of a man who wanted to be Rembrandt and became himself instead.

With a narrative that spirals through deception and desire, this is a story built on secrets — where every truth hides another lie. Each twist reshapes what the reader believes, leading to a conclusion as inevitable as it is unpredictable.

For fans of The Da Vinci Code and The Goldfinch, Dimitry Shabsis’ debut novel is a spellbinding thriller about truth, beauty, and the price of perfection.

200 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 11, 2025

Reviews

[A · Rating 1 out of 5]

I don't want to be unnecessarily harsh, but this was hard to finish. Characters who know more than they should, bad dialogue, rushed plot developments, feigned character development that felt forced, and that which should have been taken seriously but felt silly (underground art criminal network?).

(I received this book for free from a Goodreads giveaway.)

[Sarah Stone · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book. It was a shorter read but really intriguing and pulled me in right away and didn’t let go until the end. I anticipated the ending to be different but actually think I like it better this way.