The Woman Who Stole Vermeer

The True Story of Rose Dugdale and the Russborough House Art Heist

By: Anthony M. Amore

Narrated by: Karen Cass

The extraordinary life and crimes of heiress-turned-revolutionary Rose Dugdale, who in 1974 became the only woman to pull off a major art heist.

In the world of crime, there exists an unusual commonality between those who steal art and those who repeatedly kill: they are almost exclusively male. But, as with all things, there is always an outlier - someone who bucks the trend, defying the reliable profiles and leaving investigators and researchers scratching their heads. In the history of major art heists, that outlier is Rose Dugdale.

Dugdale’s life is singularly notorious. Born into extreme wealth, she abandoned her life as an Oxford-trained PhD and heiress to join the cause of Irish Republicanism. While on the surface she appears to be the British version of Patricia Hearst, she is anything but.

Dugdale ran head-first towards the action, spearheading the first aerial terrorist attack in British history and pulling off the biggest art theft of her time. In 1974, she led a gang into the opulent Russborough House in Ireland and made off with millions in prized paintings, including works by Goya, Gainsborough, and Rubens, as well as Lady Writing a Letter with her Maid by the mysterious master Johannes Vermeer. Dugdale thus became - to this day—the only woman to pull off a major art heist. And as Anthony Amore explores in The Woman Who Stole Vermeer, it’s likely that this was not her only such heist.

The Woman Who Stole Vermeer is Rose Dugdale’s story, from her idyllic upbringing in Devonshire and her presentation to Elizabeth II as a debutante to her university years and her eventual radical lifestyle. Her life of crime and activism is at turns unbelievable and awe-inspiring, and sure to engross readers.

©2020 Anthony M. Amore. (P)2021 Brilliance Publishing, Inc., all rights reserved.

Critic reviews

“British narrator Karen Cass vividly narrates this captivating audiobook. She realistically delivers the upper-class English accents and Irish brogues of those featured in this true account of a 1970s aristocrat turned revolutionary. In an engaging style and intelligent tone, Cass recounts how wealthy Rose Dugdale, a conservative debutante who attends Oxford and gains a PhD in economics, transforms into a radical supporter of the IRA.” (AudioFile Magazine)

“Amore charts in this engrossing account the transformation of Rose Dugdale from a privileged English debutante into a committed radical and fighter for the liberation of Northern Ireland from British rule. Thorough research is matched by prose that keeps the reader turning the pages. True crime and history buffs will revel in the saga of this truly fascinating woman.” (Publishers Weekly)

"A rollicking biography of a female art thief. In his lively third book about art and crime, Amore, the director of security at the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, tells the story of a 'fiery, bold, and brash' Englishwoman who stole for nationalistic reasons.... A captivating, detail-rich biography of a 'criminal legend'.” (Kirkus Review)

“Amore illustrates with an irresistible blend of wryness and affection [the] engaging pleasures [of] The Woman Who Stole Vermeer. Rose is terrific company: clever, forthright, and flamboyant. She is still alive today and is now praised by the former Irish republicans. Her Facebook profile photo is the Russborough Vermeer.” (The New York Times Book Review)

Famous art theft

This book is worth the read. We see the life of a 1970’s activist engaged in a gripping political battle. Politics are explained clearly. I enjoyed the art discussion, too. Great narrator.

Unusual and Interesting subject

The subject is a wonderful slice of history well woven and researched. A unique individual that was passionate and rebellious. I learned quite a lot about the social climate of the day along with the history of the art and art ownership.

Misleading Title

It’s a good history of this woman but there’s so little art heist that the title is misleading.

BORING!

Interesting bit of history but not enough about the actual art theft. It became boring,and repetitious. I struggled to the end and regretted the time I wasted.

Where does the stolen art take place?

I only have 3 hours left and yet I’ve heard more about the stolen Vermeer in the sample for this book. I crave good art stories but so far all I’ve listened to is about boosting this privileged woman’s ego. If the Vermeer gets mentioned before the end of the book I’ll edit the review but I’m starting to think the title is very misleading.

Disappointed

It’s not the subject matter that I was expecting so I was disappointed. This could’ve been so much more…