The Peculiar Case of the Missing Mondrian

<p><strong style=background-color: rgba(255 255 255 1); color: rgba(15 17 17 1)>A coincidence-plagued layabout who wants nothing more than to be left alone is handed a missing Mondrian an oddly irresistible ex and a mystery that keeps dragging him exactly where he least wants to be.</strong></p><p></p><p><span style=background-color: rgba(255 255 255 1); color: rgba(15 17 17 1)>Jim Riven has made a career of avoidance. He avoids work responsibility emotional growth his front door most phone calls and anything that might require trousers before noon. His only real talent if it can be called that is attracting bizarre coincidences with the grim regularity of the disappointing British weather.</span></p><p></p><p><span style=background-color: rgba(255 255 255 1); color: rgba(15 17 17 1)>He calls these intrusions unlikely happenstances a phrase that explains everything to Jim Riven and very little to anyone else.</span></p><p></p><p><span style=background-color: rgba(255 255 255 1); color: rgba(15 17 17 1)>So when Landa his over-privileged impossible-to-ignore ex-girlfriend turns up demanding his help with a stolen Mondrian Riven knows the universe has once again resumed hostilities.</span></p><p></p><p><span style=background-color: rgba(255 255 255 1); color: rgba(15 17 17 1)>The priceless painting has vanished from an exclusive London gallery and Landa's father ruthless media baron Roo Osbourne wants it back. And unfortunately for Jim Riven Roo treats other people's lives as disposable office stationery.</span></p><p></p><p><span style=background-color: rgba(255 255 255 1); color: rgba(15 17 17 1)>But the missing painting is only the start. Dragged from bed recruited against his better judgment and propelled by a talent he never asked for Jim finds himself at the centre of a mystery involving stolen art old secrets dangerous people and coincidences so persistent they appear to have formed a committee.</span></p><p></p><p><strong style=background-color: rgba(255 255 255 1); color: rgba(15 17 17 1)>For once Jim Riven may have to do something... God help everyone.</strong></p>