Talented Miss Farwell: A Novel

"Catch Me If You Can" meets Patricia Highsmith in this "stylish" (New York Times Book Review) page-turner of greed and obsession, survival, and self-invention that is a piercing character study of one unforgettable female con artist. Reba Farwell has made a killing at Christies in New York City, selling a portion of her art collection for a rumored 900 percent profit. However, a thousand miles away in Pierson, Illinois, she is someone else entirely—a quiet single woman known as Becky who lives in her family's farmhouse, wears sensible shoes, and works tirelessly as the town's treasurer and controller.

\n Format: Paperback / softback
\n Length: 368 pages
\n Publication date: 14 October 2021
\n Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers Inc
\n

In the captivating novel "Catch Me If You Can," author Frank Abagnale weaves a intricate tale of greed, obsession, survival, and self-invention that delves into the enigmatic character of Rebecca Farwell, a remarkable female con artist. Set against the backdrop of the art market's resurgence in the late 1990s, Miss Farwell emerges as a formidable figure, successfully selling a portion of her extraordinary art collection at Christies in New York City for a staggering 900 percent profit. Dressed in couture YSL, savoring the finest champagne at trendy Balthazar, she exudes the epitome of a wealthy art collector. To some, she is a shrewd businesswoman with exceptional acumen, while others perceive her as a cold-hearted capitalist solely driven by financial gain.

However, a thousand miles away in the small town of Pierson, Illinois, Miss Farwell assumes a different identity—Becky, a quiet single woman who still resides in her family's farmhouse, wears sensible shoes, and tirelessly serves as the town's treasurer and controller. With an intimate knowledge of Pierson's accounts, Becky is the last one in the office every night, diligently crunching the numbers. Despite her modest appearance, her neighbors are amazed by her ability to consistently find ways to increase the town's finances. What they fail to realize is that a significant portion of that money is diverted into a separate account under her control, serving as "borrowed" funds to support her art habit. While she quietly repays Pierson whenever possible, the world of art is ruthless and unpredictable.

As Rebecca Farwell's deals grow in magnitude, Becky Farwell's debt to Pierson spirals out of control. The question remains: how long can the talented Miss Farwell maintain her double life? With each meticulously planned con, Becky navigates a delicate balance between her two personas, all while keeping one step ahead of the law. "Catch Me If You Can" is a captivating exploration of the human psyche, where ambition, deception, and the pursuit of art intertwine, creating a thrilling and unforgettable narrative.

\n Weight: 284g\n
Dimension: 135 x 204 x 27 (mm)\n
ISBN-13: 9780062897718\n \n