By Clive Lord
Some auctions change fortunes. Others change history.
In Ursula’s Tribute: The Biggest Auction And The Largest Theft Of All Time, author Clive Lord takes readers into an exhilarating new chapter of his art-world crime saga, delivering a story where ambition, technology, and emotion collide on a global scale. Drawing from his background as a former senior executive within the auction world, Lord blends authenticity with audacity, crafting a thriller that feels both visionary and strikingly plausible.
The novel follows Riccardo Hofstadt, newly installed as owner of Mount’s auction house, as he faces an unprecedented challenge: organizing the largest sale humanity has ever seen—the auction of the Moon itself, commissioned by the United Nations. What begins as a monumental marketing and logistical feat soon expands into a breathtaking narrative shaped by geopolitics, innovation, and the fragile line between spectacle and responsibility.
But across Europe, something even more unbelievable is unfolding. A shadowy entity known as Dynami executes the largest art theft in recorded history, setting off an investigation that brings the resurrected Art Squad back into action. As clues emerge, it becomes clear that the two events are intricately connected—woven together by motives far deeper than profit. Behind the theft lies a story of devotion and sacrifice, reframing everything the team believes about power, ownership, and what truly drives human behavior.
More than a crime thriller, Ursula’s Tribute is an exploration of the future of art, technology, and the emotional forces that move us. Lord surprises readers with high-concept twists—including the introduction of sentient AI—while grounding the narrative in the insider realism that defines his work. Moments of suspense intertwine with philosophical reflections, eccentric personalities, and behind-the-scenes insights that only an experienced industry insider could deliver.
From sweeping European chases to the spectacle of the world’s most ambitious auction, the novel offers both scale and intimacy. Readers have praised it as “mind-blowing,” “authentic,” and “triumphant,” applauding its bold premise, memorable characters—particularly Penny—and its ability to challenge assumptions while still delivering a deeply satisfying ending.
Book Details
Title: Ursula’s Tribute: The Biggest Auction And The Largest Theft Of All Time (Crime, murder and scandal in the rarefied world of art auctions. Book 2)
Author: Clive Lord
Genre: Crime Thriller, International Suspense, Technothriller
Format: Paperback / eBook
Themes: Art crime, global conspiracy, advanced AI, love-driven motives, high-stakes auctions
