I’m not a fan of heist stories but I was intrigued with the setting of this one and thought I would give it a go. Sadly it has reaffirmed that this genre is not for me but I appreciate being given the chance by the publisher so thank you.

“Who are we robbing?”

This one took me a while to get into. I tried to read it last year through its ebook version, but put it down. This year, though, I decided to give it another chance by a tandem read with audio and ebook. That was the good choice (or the right moment for me).
The narration is dynamic and brings all the characters to life, and I had a really good time navigating in that story that felt like Ocean 11 happening during the Renaissance area, AND in Florence.
I loved that rhythmed ambiance, how all these character’s backstories and motivations articulated around each other, how they all interacted –for better of for worse. The fact that some historical figures are in the “cast” helped to anchor the story and to visualize, bringing me back to a lot of childhood memories, when I visited the city.
The whole makes a surprising story, with a lot of twists as the team plots the Heist –and against the Medici– sprinkled with History and questioning about nepotism, capitalism (if I dare to say that), individual fates and revolution.

Thank you for the ARC! Sadly unable to read as this was downloaded onto an old device I no longer have access to and the book has since been archived.

My tastes have changed since I was granted this to read. I'm not saying that I won't still read it (if I do, I'll update my review) but at this time, I'm putting it on the back burner. The reviews seem mixed so I would say decide for yourself if you are interested in this.

I'm a huge fan of heists so was excited, if a little nervous, going into this one as they can be so fun when they're done well! Medici Heist introduces a range of characters who you just know will have key roles in the coming heist. While I enjoyed getting to know the characters, it felt a little drawn out at times and I found myself losing interest.

This is one of those books that I enjoyed while I was reading, but after I finished I didn't find it memorable at all. I'd be willing to give it a second chance since maybe I just wasn't in the right mood at the time.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I absolutely adore a heist which leads to frequent disappointment because very few authors manage to nail it to my satisfaction!

Heist stories are very hit and miss for me but I admit I was intrigued.

Someone needs to pick this up and making Into a film, it would be a shame for this not to be seen on the big screen.

Review: Medici Heist by Caitlin Schneiderhan
★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆ (3 stars)

Set in the opulent and treacherous world of 1517 Florence, Medici Heist delivers a thrilling mix of art, crime, and intrigue. Caitlin Schneiderhan crafts an exciting premise—a daring heist targeting the legendary Medici collection—and keeps the action moving at a brisk pace. The twists and turns come frequently, making this a fast, engaging read that blends history with suspense in an entertaining way.

While the plot is compelling, some of the character development felt a bit shallow. I found myself wanting more depth in their motivations, and a few twists didn’t land as impactfully as I’d hoped. Additionally, while the story is layered, certain elements became predictable at times.

That said, Medici Heist is still a fun and gripping read, perfect for fans of historical mysteries and high-stakes adventure. If you enjoy fast-paced heist stories with an art history twist, this one is worth checking out!

A huge thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC.

This book felt very much like reading a film script or a play. Nonetheless I really enjoyed it and would definitely recommend

This was such a great ride!
Loved the characters, the plot and the pacing. Medici Heist was set against a great, vibrant background and the story and the writing kept me just going for “one more chapter”… on and on!
Really good, fun read!

Medici Heist by Caitlin Schneiderhan is a fast-paced, twisty ride that hooks you right from the start. The blend of historical intrigue and modern crime keeps things interesting, and the characters are well-rounded, especially the protagonist. I loved how the historical and cultural elements were seamlessly woven into the plot. It’s a smart, entertaining read for anyone into art heists or crime thrillers. Definitely worth picking up!

"Medici Heist" by Caitlin Schneiderhan is an enjoyable art-heist adventure with plenty of flair and intrigue. The novel shines in its richly detailed settings and the clever integration of art history, giving readers a fascinating glimpse into the high-stakes world of priceless masterpieces.

However, the plot occasionally leans on predictable tropes, and some character motivations feel underdeveloped, making it harder to fully invest in their journeys. While the heist itself is thrilling, certain twists stretch believability and dilute the tension.

A solid, entertaining read for fans of art-themed thrillers, though it doesn’t break new ground in the genre.

I actually ended up listening to the audiobook. The narrator gave so much to this story, their upbeat energy added a lot to the action scenes in this book that I might otherwise not enjoy. Some of the plot lines were quite predictable, but there were unique takes and lovable characters. Would recommend, but don't expect Locke Lamora level schemes.

Ms Schneiderhan has written a perfect example of the, now ubiquitous, heist novel. Everything is perfectly in place as it should be, the unlikely group of perpetrators, the secrecy not kept secret, the potential traitor, the potential weak link, the last minute change of plans, big unforeseen problems. The "gang" are loveable and heroic, the victims are anything but, just waiting for their comeuppance. Everything is exactly where it should be.
As the title suggests, the victims in this case were the Medici banking family in medieval Florence. The city, its people and its artists play an important role, and we see some strong nods to historical relevance and accuracy.
The fact that this novel stuck to the format, and therefore there was no real suspense created, doesn't take anything away. The book is well written, the characters funny, likeable and charismatic. You are invested early on in their success.
Can the world have too many heist books?

Medici Heist by Caitlin Schneiderhan is an enjoyable read with plenty of twists and turns to keep you intrigued. The combination of art history, crime, and suspense works well, and the premise of a heist targeting the legendary Medici collection is exciting. The pacing is fast, and there’s no shortage of surprises, which makes for a fun, quick read.

That said, while the characters are interesting, some felt a bit underdeveloped, and I found myself wanting more depth in their motivations. The plot is layered but occasionally predictable, and a few of the twists didn’t land as strongly as I’d hoped.

Overall, Medici Heist is a solid, entertaining thriller, but it didn’t fully blow me away. If you’re looking for a quick, enjoyable heist story with a unique art history angle, it’s worth picking up!

Unfortunately DNF

I don’t think the book found me in the right time, I will try and read it again soon and see.

This book had a lot going for it that I should love, and while I didn't dislike this at all, it just didn't quite wow me either. It's a decent enough heist, if not a tad underwhelming. I loved the 'eat the rich' theme of the novel and generally had a fun time reading it, but I wanted more from the actual heist.
I've always been a big fan the rag-tag group of rogues trope. It's my favourite. I enjoy it in all its iterations, including here, but would've liked the characters to have been a little bit more fleshed out to truly make them pop on the page.
The setting was very fun and well utilised, although a few more descriptions wouldn't have gone amiss. Florence is a stunning city but there were often times I forgot where we were.
Oddly, I feel this is the kind of book that would work better as a movie than it does as a book. I don't dislike this as a book at all, but there's just something about it that almost feels like it's in the wrong medium.
I know my review sounds critical, but I often find myself more critical when I see the most potential, and that potential not quite being met. As a movie, I think this would be so much fun, as a book, it maybe needs a little more depth.

1517 - con artist Rosa Cellini arrives in Florence
Medici Pope, Leo X is bleeding the people dry as their new pope
Rosa decides to do something about it and sets about recruiting a band of misfits including Michelangelo, himself, to devise a simple heist to break the chains of oppression
“Nothing is impossible, there are only things that very clever people haven’t done yet”
Loved how we learnt their backstories and their reasons for joining the team
Also loved learning about the Medici period in Italian history - so want a holiday to Florence now
A fast paced thrilling debut read with well developed characters and a fabulous concept as a plot
Would make a good Book Club choice with discussion topics such as religion, power and money
Thanks @schneiderjamz @macmillanchildrensbooks & @netgalley for the interesting read

I really wanted to love this but I found it tricky to engage with the characters. There are such a lot of them and it's quite confusing keeping track.

(Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an eARC in exchange for an honest review)

Heist plots are one of my faves, but they can sometimes not be written very well. However, this one was so good! There were plenty of twists and unexpected bumps along the way that kept the plot fresh and fun to read. The world-building was fantastic too. While I don’t know much about the Italian Renaissance or how historically accurate the setting was, I felt completely immersed in the world and could easily picture everything.

The characters were also really well-written and fun to read from their perspectives. I’m a sucker for a found family, and the way the group came together in this story was just perfect. Sometimes you can tell when characters are only there to fill a role, but that wasn’t the case here. Each character had depth, development, and a meaningful part to play, not just in the heist but in the overall story. The banter and interactions between them were great, and there was even some romance sprinkled in.

I genuinely had so much fun reading this book—it’s quick, and clever, with an amazing cast of characters, and I’d highly recommend it!