The theft of 15 paintings, worth millions of dollars, from the estate of world famous artist Andrew Wyeth is the subject of a true crime book, Stealing Wyeth, to be released on Aug. 5. The book was written by author Bruce E. Mowday.

“Stealing Wyeth is a drama on several levels, a page-turning true crime story,” according to former Assistant U.S. Attorney Walter ‘Terry’ Batty, who prosecuted the case. Former FBI agent David Richter added, “Stealing Wyeth proves it doesn’t get any better for the public when law enforcement agencies work together.”

“Andrew and Jamie Wyeth are two of the best-known American painters of all time,” Mowday said. “I’m not surprised that thieves and forgers have targeted their wonderful artistic creations over the years. I’m also not surprised that readers, those who know the Wyeth paintings and those who enjoy true crime books, are interested in the book.”

Mowday, who has authored 20 books on true crime, history, business and sports, was a newspaper reporter and covered the Wyeth theft case. Thieves, including master cat burglar William Porter (who admitted committing 1,500 crimes), broke into the Chadds Ford estate of Andrew Wyeth in the hopes of stealing a Wyeth painting for their retirement fund. The thieves took 15 paintings -- seven by Andrew Wyeth, six by Jamie Wyeth and two by other artists.

The book details the journey of the paintings throughout the United States, international intrigue, vicious criminals and the law enforcement team that tracked down the paintings and the crooks.

The hardback book contains a number of illustrations connected with the Wyeth family and the Brandywine school of art. The book is $24.95 and is available from Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Barricade Books and the author. For more information, visit www.mowday.com.