- Paperback: 310 pages
- Publisher: ISIS Paperbacks; Large Print edition edition (November 1997)
- Language: English
- ISBN-10: 075315515X
- ISBN-13: 978-0753155158
- Shipping Weight: 503 g
- Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: #2,415,392 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
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Product Details |
Product Description
From Amazon
Like An Instance of the Fingerpost, Iain Pears's Death and Restoration is grounded in a richly cultured vision rife with references to European history, art, and cuisine. And, though it represents the sixth novel in Pears's Jonathan Argyll series, the author subtly informs new readers of the key relationships and the past histories of his characters within the first three chapters. Once again, Argyll and his soon-to-be wife, Flavia di Stefano, are enmeshed in the Italian art world: Flavia, as a member of the Rome police's art squad and Argyll as a professor of art history.
The suspense of the novel is sustained by the careful revelation of the central art-theft plot; in turn, each major character becomes the narrative center and offers an expanded understanding of the events at San Giovanni. While Argyll is troubled over his fiancée's frequent absences just prior to their wedding, Flavia feels compelled to keep odd hours. She's certain that her old nemesis, Mary Verney, has returned to Rome with the intention of committing a major new theft. And Verney, readers soon learn, is herself in jeopardy. She must steal a Madonna icon from the monastery--despite the close scrutiny she faces from the Rome police force--because the sadistic Mikis Charanis has kidnapped Verney's granddaughter, 8-year-old Louise, and he will only release the child when Verney has acquired the artifact from San Giovanni. Underlying each character's concerns is the mystery of the Madonna itself. Why does Charanis covet this piece over the more valuable, though still dubious, Caravaggio that is also in the monastery? In the end, the novel is a perfect melding of a tightly composed mystery plot, witty dialogue, and a realistic sense of character, all flowing from an intellectual's appreciation for the finer things in life. For readers who discovered Pears's fiction through An Instance of the Fingerpost, the Argyll series--particularly Death and Restoration--offers much to satiate the need for his pleasantly baroque sensibilities. Other works in the Argyll series include The Raphael Affair, The Titian Committee, The Bernini Bust, The Last Judgement, and Giotto's Hand. --Patrick O'Kelley --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.
From Publishers Weekly
Pears, an art historian and author of the acclaimed historical novel, An Instance of the Fingerpost (1997), imbues his light-hearted art-world mystery series set in Italy (Giotto's Hand, 1997) with an enthusiast's love of his subject. Here, Jonathan Argyll, art dealer and lecturer, and his lover, Flavia di Stefano, an officer with Rome's Art Theft Department, investigate the theft of an ancient, seemingly worthless iconic painting of the Madonna from the Monastery of San Giovanni and the apparently related attack on the head monk. As Flavia investigates the theft, she runs into legendary art thief Mary Verney, icon dealer Peter Burckhardt and Daniel Menzies, a hot-tempered art restorer who is cleaning the monastery's second-rate Caravaggio. We learn that Mikis Charanis, the power-hungry son of Mary's former lover, has kidnapped her granddaughter; release is contingent on Mary stealing the icon for him. Then Peter Burckhardt is murdered, and the police must scramble to find motive and killer. After Jonathan learns the stolen icon is "Our Lady," venerated by the people in the neighborhood for saving Rome from the plague long ago, he traces the icon's astonishing history and uncovers the monastery's unpleasant secrets. Although Flavia's suspects escape arrest, Jonathan fingers the real thief?and the motive?in an amusing finale. Pears again achieves a delicate, sure balance with a book simultaneously witty and instructive.
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.
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Customer Reviews
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Most helpful customer reviews
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
light intelligent romp,
By Drake "Drake" (Montreal, Quebec Canada) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Death and Restoration (Art History Mystery) (Paperback)
This was the first book I've ever read from Iain Pears. I found this book to be a very enjoyable adventure mixed with history and interesting characters. It didn't go into the history very deeply, nor in the adventure/action, so I considered the book to be 'light'.With that said, I intend to get more books from Iain Pears. And I can see by his writing style that he probably is capable of writing a good literary historical fiction novel. And from what I understand 'An Instance at the Fingerpost' is such a novel. I'd be interested in seeing him write more books of this nature. The book delivered what it promised; art, history, and some adventure.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
4.0 out of 5 stars
Enjoyable,
By David B (Lakeland, Florida United States) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Death and Restoration (Art History Mystery) (Paperback)
Iain Pears' Death and Restoration is a fine mystery that's full of interesting characters and plenty of twists and turns.I really like the setting in Rome and the intertwining of art, the Catholic Church and history into an entertaining plot. This is the first in the series that I have read, and it was a pleasant surprise. Great writing. Unfortunately, I did guess the outcome, which was a disappointment, but I still enjoyed the storyline and the characters. I recommend reading this book with 4 stars, but I would probably have given a 3 1/2 stars if I could have.
4.0 out of 5 stars
A tense but amusing mystery with a haunting subplot.,
This review is from: Death and Restoration (Hardcover)
Once again, the charming but luckless young art dealer, Jonathan Argyll, and his new wife, the capable art cop Flavia stumble into an odd situation with a stolen piece of art. Set in a dusty but gorgeous old neighborhood in the streets of Rome, this tale is filled with subplots. A blackmailed grandmother, risking her life and reputation to save her young granddaughter, an ancient order of monks moving reluctantly into the modern century, an ancient legend that seems to have come to life. Throughout the tale, Pears walks a delicate line, allowing the reader to slip into the aura of the past, and to wonder at the possibilities of real backing for old superstitions. This story is not only filled with engrossing secondary stories, but also chock full of wonderfully drawn and realized characters. An old monk slipping into senility, who is the only one with a complete understanding of the history of the missing piece of art. A superstitious and dutiful neighborhood cleaning lady. Two aging, brilliant criminals, with their own stringent moral codes, and a secret past love affair. And the reader meets again with Jonathan and Flavia's favorite nemesis. Again in this warm and engaging series, Pears has produced a charming mystery that stands well above the ordinary.
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