BOOK DESCRIPTION Woman with Eyes Closed
On a full moon night in Rotterdam, three Dutch thieves break into the Kunsthal museum and steal four paintings—including two Monets, a Picasso, and Woman with Eyes Closed. Inspired by the real 2012 art heist, this literary thriller follows British MI-6 agent Kit Hobbs, who is unexpectedly assigned to the case. A tip leads him to Sagaponack, New York, where the Monets may be hidden in the bunker of a Russian mobster with a beach house—and a taste for stolen masterpieces.
Just down the beach, Perrin Clayton—daughter of a once-famous abstract expressionist painter—is newly married to art-world superstar Jack Triplett. Their glamorous Hamptons life dazzles from the outside, but something vital is missing. When Kit, whose connection is Jack’s gallerist, meets Perrin at a party in the Russian’s home, he notices the mobster’s fascination with her—and devises a risky plan to draw her into his investigation.
Meanwhile, the thieves are on the run, their alliance unraveling. As Kit and Perrin are pulled deeper into each other’s lives, and a hurricane barrels toward the coast, the fate of the Woman with Eyes Closed hangs in the balance—along with their own uncertain futures.
REVIEWS for Woman with Eyes Closed
“Matthiessen’s depictions of Sagaponack, where she grew up, are wonderfully true to life. This high stakes art thriller delivers an entertaining cast of Hamptons characters, from Russian oligarchs to art-world brats. The mob is involved and, oh, a hurricane is barreling in. The author’s delivery of suspense, with a sophisticated insider’s view of the social milieu, makes it a top-notch read.”
East Hampton Star’s EAST magazine
“A beautifully crafted suspense thriller from cover to cover. Woman with Eyes Closed is especially and unreservedly recommended for community library Contemporary Mystery/Suspense collections. It should be noted for the personal reading lists of dedicated mystery buffs.”
Midwest Book Review
“This briskly paced novel has skillfully crafted twists and consequences that branch into emotional turns of events. Multilayered and diverse characters help paint the atmosphere, add intrigue and drama to the storyline, and drive the plot… Woman with Eyes Closed will appeal not only to fans of thrillers, suspense, and romance, but also to readers curious about the culture and dynamics of the art world.”
Carmen Tenorio, Readers’ Favorite
“…Woman with Eyes Closed will longingly resonate, recalling a time before luxe building and big money art acquisitions came to dominate a once vital artist’s community. And the novel has—no spoiler alert—a lovely ending.”
Joan Baum, Sag Harbor Express
“A compelling suspense novel, Woman with Eyes Closed explores the contrasting lives of the wealthy living in opulence and the desperate actions of the underprivileged longing for a way out. Matthiessen weaves art into the narrative, increasing the reader’s appreciation of it, creating a deep resonance, particularly in regard to the titular painting. The parallel story lines kept this reader’s interest by introducing diverse characters from contrasting worlds that never meet but are equally compelling. The intertwining subplots created a sense of intrigue that never flagged. This novel delves into themes of relationships, romance, trust, money, and crime, making it a must read for fans of suspenseful mysteries.
Angelique Papayannopoulos, Readers’ Favorite
“An art heist that actually happened; a Russian mobster; a handsome British spy, and a lonely American woman. Throw in a hurricane, and you’ve got some of the action packed into Rue Matthiessen’s first novel.”
Rita Plush, The Fire Island Reporter read entire review here: An Art Heist Novel set in Sagaponack
INTERVIEWS and FEATURES for Woman with Eyes Closed
The Good Men Project Father’s Day Essay
Book Q and A’s with Deborah Kalb “…I had seen many of Lucian Freud’s paintings here and in London. My very favorite one, Monumental, was at NYC’s Acquavella in 2019. It was so exciting to see these works up close…”
Writer Unboxed Father’s Day Essay
WLIW Public Radio, Heart of the East End Author Interview (radio)