Admirable Research, Compelling Storytelling in Flawless


Scott Selby and Greg Campbell created a quietly cinematic depiction of the largest jewel heist in history in Flawless.

In 2003, the Diamond Center in Antwerp, Belgium, was robbed of an estimated $500 million in jewels that still has not been recovered. Selby and Campbell do compact work here, packing the relatively short narrative with a creative take on how the “School of Turin,” a band of skilled thieves, came together to pull off the robbery. They focus on Leonardo Notabartolo, the inside man for the school, who rented office space in the Diamond Center, posed as a businessman, while he cased the area and reported back to his colleagues.

By focusing on Notabartolo, the authors provide a lens for the reader to walk through the entirety of the scheme. The particulars of how he figured out the alarms, guards, and cameras are so detailed, it’s like watching Notabartolo while he works.

Thanks to Strider Teague for recommending Flawless. I expect we’ll see a movie version one day.

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