Nina Wachsman is the author of the Venice Beauties Mysteries is set in 17th Century Venice,  The Gallery of Beauties, The Courtesan’s Secret and The Courtesan’s Pirate, all of which have been finalists for top awards in mystery: Agatha, Anthony and Silver Falchion. Her short stories and novels often have an art theme, shaped by her studying illustration with Maurice Sendak and a career as an art director. Due to her interest in art, she is a member of Curators of Crime, a group of four authors who write and give talks about art crimes.