“From the architecture of the story and his approach to cadence, pacing and character development, Preston provides a solid framework from which to construct this story.  Like an art museum, Preston curates the story, providing details of the art world that weave the story into an engaging and thrilling plot.

It is great to read a novel set in a smaller community, instead of the usual big city "gumshoe" setup. The characters show sophisticated tastes, professional skills and qualities that might be associated with denizens of the big cities, but Preston shows a nice side of the US Midwest in his story.

His intricate art forgery angle is a special feature of the novel, providing Preston with the opportunity to drive the plot, but also to educate and intrigue the reader with facts about the sometimes-murky world of fine art.

This novel is a page-turner, for sure. I thoroughly enjoyed my hours spent reading Forged Fates, and I highly recommend it for anyone's reading list.”

— Don Sheets

“Great masterpieces of art (or excellent forgeries) are created from artistic skills with a variety of paints, palette knives, and brushes, an eye for composition, an awareness of color, light, and detail, and an understanding of layering, and movement.

So too, a writer creates a novel using plot and knowledge, research, and skill to build a plot foundation supported by characters who are nuanced, consistent, and well-defined. A writer must be aware of the color of his character's emotions and mindset, the light and dark complexities of character, and have a thorough understanding of layering and movement.

In Forged Fates, Larry Preston wields his pen with the art of a master. In his debut novel, Mr. Preston gives the reader a gripping mystery with compelling characters from the far reaches of the Mid-east to NYC to Bay City, Michigan. Showcasing an in-depth understanding of art museums, the art world in general, and the mindset of the artist, he brings a sense of authenticity to the art pieces described and the various characters surrounding them. He has a special knack with words, using the art of description to both bring and focus attention on, not only his characters but the settings they inhabit.

A riveting plot with twists and turns, Larry Preston has absolutely painted a masterpiece of a novel! I can't wait for his next book.”

— Robin Moyer

“Bound to enthrall and entertain art lovers and mystery readers alike, Forged Fates, offers an insightful and accurate view into the world of high-end forgery and deception wrapped in intrigue and suspense. Preston’s vivid characters jump off the page in thrill-a-minute debut novel.”

— Mike Kolleth