In the early hours of May 20, 2010, a lone figure scaled the walls of the Musée d’Art Moderne in Paris and vanished into the galleries. Moments later, five irreplaceable masterpieces — including works by Picasso, Matisse, and Modigliani — were gone. No alarms. No trace. No recovery.

But this wasn’t fiction. This was the real-life work of Vjéran Tomic — a thief so skilled, so methodical, he became known as the Spider-Man of Paris.

In this episode of The Adventure Story Podcast, I’ll take you deep into the shadows of the City of Light to unravel the truth behind one of the most audacious art thefts in modern history. You’ll meet the man behind the myth, uncover the obsession that drove him, and discover the global black market where billionaires and criminals cross paths over stolen masterpieces.

This story inspired my free novella The Paris Heist, co-written with bestselling author Ernest Dempsey. Read for FREE today:

LukeRichardsonAuthor.com/paris

Got a Story Idea?

If you have a mystery, legend, or adventure you’d like me to explore, drop a comment or email me at hello@lukerichardsonauthor.com. I’d love to hear from you!

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A missing Picasso... A master thief... A thrilling race against time!

When a priceless Picasso disappears in Paris, legendary thief Bernard Moreau is the prime suspect. But as two unlikely allies—Eden Black and Adriana Villa—hunt him down, the chase turns deadly. It’s a race through the shadowed streets of Paris, where every twist is as unpredictable as the city itself.

Grab your FREE COPY of The Paris Heist here:

LukeRichardsonAuthor.com/Paris

A Huge Thanks to My Patrons!

This podcast, my books, and all my creative projects are made possible by my amazing supporters on Patreon. Want to support the show and get some awesome perks including:

🎧 Ad-free podcast downloads

📚 Early and free access to my books

🎁 More fun stuff as I invent it!

Join the crew on Patreon:

LukeRichardsonAuthor.com/Patreon

Love Adventure Stories?

If you enjoyed today’s episode, you’ll love my books—fast-paced thrillers packed with action, history, and mystery.

Check them out at LukeRichardsonAuthor.com

Thanks for tuning in! See you in the next episode of The Adventure Fiction Podcast. 🏆🎙

In this episode of the Adventure Story Podcast, I'm joined by filmmaker and global adventurer Jon Beardmore as we explore one of the Galapagos Islands’ most fascinating traditions, Post Office Bay.

Dating back centuries, this unique spot once served as an unofficial mail system where sailors would leave handwritten letters in a wooden barrel, hoping the next passing ship would deliver them. Inspired by this legacy, Jon set out to revive the tradition with a bold and heartfelt twist: collecting 55 letters from Post Office Bay and hand-delivering them across the globe.

His mission took him to 52 countries, forging unexpected friendships, navigating cultural borders, and reconnecting with the human spirit in its purest form. Along the way, Jon also raised awareness and funds for Motor Neuron Disease and ALS, giving his journey even deeper meaning!

Give to Jon’s fundraiser here: https://www.justgiving.com/page/galapagospostmanuk

From uplifting reunions to tense border crossings, this episode is a powerful reminder that in a world dominated by digital communication, handwritten letters and the connections they forge still matter.

Check out more of Jon's adventures on Instagram.

Takeaways:

• Post Office Bay has operated as a sailor's mailbox since the 1700s, relying on the honor system and human goodwill.
• Each letter represented a personal story, carried not just by Jon, but by the spirit of those who once trusted strangers with their words.
• Even in our tech-saturated world, the power of a handwritten message remains timeless.

Got a Story Idea?

If you have a mystery, legend, or adventure you’d like me to explore, drop a comment or email me at hello@lukerichardsonauthor.com. I’d love to hear from you!

Join the Adventure Society!

Need more adventure in your life? (And let’s be honest, who doesn’t?) Join The Adventure Society, my weekly newsletter, where I share real-world explorations, book updates, and exclusive podcast insights. Sign up at:

LukeRichardsonAuthor.com/AdventureSociety

Get a Free Adventure Thriller!

A missing Picasso... A master thief... A thrilling race against time!

When a priceless Picasso disappears in Paris, legendary thief Bernard Moreau is the prime suspect. But as two unlikely allies—Eden Black and Adriana Villa—hunt him down, the chase turns deadly. It’s a race through the shadowed streets of Paris, where every twist is as unpredictable as the city itself.

Grab your FREE COPY of The Paris Heist here:

LukeRichardsonAuthor.com/Paris

A Huge Thanks to My Patrons!

This podcast, my books, and all my creative projects are made possible by my amazing supporters on Patreon. Want to support the show and get some awesome perks including:

🎧 Ad-free podcast downloads

📚 Early and free access to my books

🎁 More fun stuff as I invent it!

Join the crew on...

On this episode of The Adventure Story Podcast, we're heading back to medieval Paris for one of the most dramatic exits in history. Picture this: a cold March morning in 1314, a massive crowd gathered on the Île de la Cité, and Jacques de Molay—the last Grand Master of the Knights Templar—chained to a pyre in the shadow of Notre Dame.

As the flames rise, Molay doesn’t scream. He speaks. And what he says? It sounds like a curse.

We dive deep into the infamous Templar Curse—the chilling prophecy Molay delivered moments before his death. Did it really doom a pope, a king, and an entire dynasty? Or is it all just a medieval mic drop with some seriously spooky timing?

Along the way, we unravel the rise and fall of the Templars, their legendary treasure (maybe even in the Americas 👀), and the mysterious underground world of Portugal’s secret Templar sites.

History, myth, fire, and a bit of revenge from beyond the grave? Yeah, we’re into it.

If you've enjoyed the mystery and intrigue of this episode, I think you'll love my book, The Templar Enigma.

Here's what it's all about:

A TEMPLAR CURSE. AN ANCIENT PROPHECY. A PULSE-POUNDING RACE AGAINST TIME.

In 1314, a dying Grand Master swore vengeance. Now, the curse is awakening...

When a modern-day Templar descendant unearths the key to unlocking that ancient power—the legendary Seal of Solomon—he sets in motion a plan that could collapse the modern world.

Only one person stands in his way.

Enter Eden Black—archaeologist, adventurer, and accidental hero. As the countdown to global chaos begins, Eden races from forgotten crypts to desert ruins, unraveling a conspiracy centuries in the making. But as she gets closer to the truth, she realizes the greatest secret of all… is her own.

If you’re into ancient mysteries, secret societies, and edge-of-your-seat adventure, The Templar Enigma is your next obsession.

Join the quest today!

• The Templars, at their zenith, represented the first multinational corporation in history.
• Jacques de Molay's execution in 1314 marked the beginning of a significant historical changes.
• The Templar curse seemingly manifested through the swift demise of Pope Clement V post-execution.
• King Philip IV of France suffered a fatal accident shortly after condemning Jacques de Molay.
• The unexpected deaths of Philip's sons led to the collapse of a royal dynasty.
• The theories surrounding the Templar treasure continue to spark intrigue and speculation today.

If you have a mystery, legend, or adventure you’d like me to explore, drop a comment or email me at hello@lukerichardsonauthor.com. I’d love to hear from you!

Need more adventure in your life? (And let’s be honest, who doesn’t?) Join The Adventure Society, my weekly newsletter, where I share real-world explorations, book updates, and exclusive podcast insights. Sign up at:

LukeRichardsonAuthor.com/AdventureSociety

A missing Picasso... A master thief... A thrilling race against time!

When a priceless Picasso disappears in Paris, legendary thief Bernard Moreau is the prime suspect. But as two unlikely allies—Eden Black and Adriana Villa—hunt him down, the chase turns deadly. It’s a race through the shadowed streets of Paris, where every twist is as unpredictable as the city...