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sdemler14's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
paigeforster's review
funny
informative
mysterious
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
ksparks's review against another edition
2.0
My problem with this one had to do with the point of view. It starts off with one character than switches to a second before focusing on Jonathan Argyll the third character. None of the characters are developed much. If you are interested in art, the plot may interest you--I don't have much interest, so it wasn't too exciting for me. It is set in Italy, but the setting isn't vividly described. Pears is best at complex plots, and this wasn't one of his better ones. I may still read the next installment to see if it gets better.
lauraellis's review
4.0
The first in a mystery series set (mostly) in Italy, with an Italian general now in the cabiniere heading up an art detective squad, his chief (civilian) detective, Flavia, and her quirky English love interest Jonathan Argyle (who is modeled on the author, I suspect). This is their first outing, tracking down a Raphael, which may be forged, and is eventually burned.
This series (I’ve read the second and the third already) is particularly impossible to get in the U.S.—and then only in hardback.
I like the Italian flavor of this series—and the relationship between Flavia and Jonathan.
2020 note: Now much easier to get in paperback in the U.S.
This series (I’ve read the second and the third already) is particularly impossible to get in the U.S.—and then only in hardback.
I like the Italian flavor of this series—and the relationship between Flavia and Jonathan.
2020 note: Now much easier to get in paperback in the U.S.
candyflynn's review
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
pinknantucket's review against another edition
3.0
I received a lot of criticism for my criticism of another of Iain Pear’s books, “Death and Restoration”. Well, this one was better! A lot better – I think because we didn’t have to endure so much of Jonathan Argyll’s “inner monologue” about his ethical dilemmas – he was just a slightly kooky art historian. (And we all know how kooky art historians are). I also enjoyed the plot of this book much more, as it relied more on legitimate historical detective work and less on the philosophical musings of monks.
Oh yes, the plot – I’d like to say, a painting gets nicked and they get it back, but this is not really true!! See, the plot thickens already…
The “restorer” in this book wasn’t so much of a tosser as the one in “Death and Restoration”, but did come across as slightly pathetic.
Oh yes, the plot – I’d like to say, a painting gets nicked and they get it back, but this is not really true!! See, the plot thickens already…
The “restorer” in this book wasn’t so much of a tosser as the one in “Death and Restoration”, but did come across as slightly pathetic.
secretbookcase's review
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Strong character development? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
3.0
lefthandedbibliophile's review against another edition
4.0
3.5 stars
Art. History. Art History. Art theft. Forged art. Murder
Whats not to like? This book was right up my alley. I loved reading about all the technical details of how the forgery was carried out. Is it actually probable? Who knows, am just an art enthusiast. The narrative might seem a bit jarring to some but I had no issues as this was a short and fast paced book and I was not in a mood for some long drawn writing anyway.
A perfect reading material for a slightly chilly, cloudy, cheerless Sunday. Parts of it did feel inane, like some old school comedy movie Like, our protags, hiding in a toilet to catch hold of the perpetrator, where the M lead fails in his attempt and gets beaten up to top it all. But he ultimately saves the day. . M lead, is no gun toting alpha male in fact he is quite a gamma one, but WTH, I enjoyed reading about all his antics and blunders.
I would recommend this book to all those who like short, fast paced mysteries, unencumbered with elaborate descriptions of police procedures etc.
A word of caution, if you you don't like a lot of name dropping; historical information; artists & painters and their references or regional stereotypes, you might like to give this one a pass.
Art. History. Art History. Art theft. Forged art. Murder
Whats not to like? This book was right up my alley. I loved reading about all the technical details of how the forgery was carried out. Is it actually probable? Who knows, am just an art enthusiast. The narrative might seem a bit jarring to some but I had no issues as this was a short and fast paced book and I was not in a mood for some long drawn writing anyway.
A perfect reading material for a slightly chilly, cloudy, cheerless Sunday. Parts of it did feel inane, like some old school comedy movie
I would recommend this book to all those who like short, fast paced mysteries, unencumbered with elaborate descriptions of police procedures etc.
A word of caution, if you you don't like a lot of name dropping; historical information; artists & painters and their references or regional stereotypes, you might like to give this one a pass.
clambook's review
2.0
Another entry in the mystery sub genre in which the author creates a protagonist with the author's particular expertise - IE, a chef writes about a chef who solves murders. In this case, it's an art historian writing about an art historian etc. I hoped this would be an easy way to pick up some information about Raphael, but the writing is awful. I'm just glad the author wasn't a gastroenterologist.