A writer takes up residence in the stately but decaying Grand Hotel Europa in order to contemplate where things went wrong with Clio, an art historian and the love of his life. His recollections take him back to their thrilling, continent-spanning search for the last painting made by Caravaggio. Meanwhile, he becomes fascinated by the mysteries of the hotel and the eccentric guests, all of whom seem to hail from a better era. Cinematic, lyrical, and brimming with humor, Ilja Leonard Pfeijffer's masterly novel serves as a parable of Europe, where there's so much history that there hardly seems space left for a future.

"[Pfeijffer] combines a comedy of manners with travel journalism, political and cultural commentary, and reflections on European identity. Oh, plus an art-heist mystery."—NYTBR