2.0 out of 5 stars
The plot is too slight., May 2 2012
I am a huge fan of An Instance of the Fingerpost and Stone's Fall and have enormous respect for Iain Pears. This is not the same style of story at all and is not meant to be. It is a simple thriller , but it doesn't have enough thrills. I believe it is his first book and if so, I can only be grateful that it set him on the path to Fingerpost and Stone's. It has about 246 pages and doesn't really begin to get going until about 120. I bought it for a possible plane journey, but I'm glad I couldn't wait to read it because it would not have kept me diverted on the journey. In addition there are at least two clunky unrealistic things at the end that really bugged me, but I'll refrain from straying into a spoiler. I also failed to buy into the supposed chemistry between the two central characters and this failure makes me appreciate how difficult it must be to create this. I don't see how an intelligent, capable woman could fall for such a tiresome twerp. His supposed charm became irritating very quickly. It needed a sub-plot to take the place of detailed descriptions of characters buying coffee and not actually doing very much. I presume the author relied on the reader being so entertained by badinage between competent woman and tiresome twerp that we would be happy without much plot content. By the end, I just didn't care who the perpetrator was. Sorry, Mr. Pears; your aforementioned other books are in my all-time top ten, so I feel apologetic about putting the boot into this one.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you? Yes
No
3.0 out of 5 stars
very good!, Jan 6 2003
Pears is awkward at times in his writing style, but otherwise it is a very good reading. I believe it is his first book, hence the awkwardness.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you? Yes
No
4.0 out of 5 stars
A Mysterious Painting, Jan 11 2002
This review is from: The Raphael Affair (Mass Market Paperback)
Jonathan Argyll is sure that, under an obscure alterpiece in a small Italian church, is hidden a long-undiscovered painting by Raphael. When he gets there, he discovers that the painting has been sold to a reputable, but shady dealer.
The painting underneath is exposed, and the art world revels in the beauty of the painting. Experts think its popularity will soon rival the Mona Lisa's. However, the painting is destroyed by either a madman or a very careful plotter during a party at the Italian museum.
A member of Italy's art police, and his assistant Flavia, are soon on the case. Flavia recruits Argyll to help. Along the way, they make some interesting discoveries, and also begin to develop an interest in each other.
The book is no Instance of the Fingerpost. It is, however, an enjoyable, short read, and a good introduction to Pears's art history series.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you? Yes
No