"Think The Da Vinci Code meets Fifty Shades in Belgium"
"A woman, a Rembrandt, and a dead body—what could go wrong?"
"Grappig. Kumedno" by Iryna Belan
Genre: Art-Heist Comedy / Cozy Crime with an Edge
Original Language: Ukrainian
Year of Publication: 2025
Page count: 228
Format: A5 (145mm × 205mm)
Rights Available: World (English, Spanish, German, etc.)
Imagine a Ukrainian Killing Eve protagonist in her late 40s, trapped in a Belgian art-mystery. Iryna, a fiercely independent divorcée, finds herself staring at the lifeless body of her lover. Did she do it? While the Belgian police close in, Iryna embarks on a high-stakes chase involving a disputed Rembrandt masterpiece that could rewrite art history.
From the sun-drenched streets of pre-war Kherson to the canals of Flanders, Grappig is a "sensory-overload" thriller. It’s a story where high art meets high-octane survival, punctuated by unapologetic eroticism, gourmet cuisine, and the cold, hard realization that freedom is worth any price—even a criminal one.
Why It Sells
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The "Silver Fox" Heroine: A sophisticated, 50-year-old female lead who is sexually empowered and intellectually brilliant—a demographic currently driving the highest growth in the book market.
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Art-History Hook: Taps into the same fascination as The Da Vinci Code, but with more grit and European flair.
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Geographical Bridge: Seamlessly connects Eastern and Western Europe, making it a perfect candidate for co-editions in the Benelux region.
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Cinematic Senses: The heavy focus on food, sex, and architecture makes it an incredibly visceral, "Netflix-ready" read.
Similar Titles:
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“The Flanders Panel” by Arturo Pérez-Reverte
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"My Sister, the Serial Killer" by Oyinkan Braithwaite
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"The Thursday Murder Club" by Richard Osman
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“Ocean's Eleven” (heist film with sophisticated protagonists)