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michelleful's review against another edition
3.0
Gripping book - had to find out what happened, but I didn't really enjoy the journey all that much, partly because
Spoiler
I kept wondering when the English art thief was going to show up. I guess he only makes an appearance in later books.stillerstiller's review against another edition
3.0
Knowing almost all of Peters‘ books this is certainly not her strongest. It‘s a bit too much guesswork to make the case feel substantial and solved; the male characters are a little too annoying, for my taste. As a first in a series this was not all that promising, in my opinion — BUT the later installments are a much better, as Peters (re)introduces a character from ‚Borrower of the Night‘.
So, the three stars are to be seen in relation to this development, and don‘t mean this is not an entertaining read.
So, the three stars are to be seen in relation to this development, and don‘t mean this is not an entertaining read.
paperbackstash's review against another edition
4.0
Here it is, finally my first Vicki Bliss mystery. The story is a good one, even if not terribly interesting. Based on other works from Michaels and Peters, this is just an average effort. It could be because she was finding her grounding with new characters, but something about it didn't hook me as much as it should have. I can't help but feel that Peters couldn't think of enough story to write this one, not sure where she wanted to go, mainly drawn to characters she wished to invent. I'm sure that the follow-ups are better, and Vicki does seem a great character to follow the adventures of.
Being only 243 pages, it's short and sweet, starting with a challenge between Vicki and new boyfriend Tony, leading quickly afterward to an old castle itching for exploration. Vicki's goal is to find an old art piece before Tony and their accompanying 'friend' George, figuring it's snugly secured somewhere on the grounds because of an assumption from an old book. The chances of that, by the way, was a far-fetched idea to begin the story on.
The story would be a great mystery, yet turns out merely good simply because not enough detail filled out 243 pages. The story was a very simple one that was forced to slowly drag on because not enough substance was held. Of course there were minor revelations that turned thought processes around and inside out, but nothing staggering. Pacing was very slow, as is trademark Peters, but without the depth stories need to make slow pacing successful.
Characters were fun, especially Vicki and Tony. Her personality was a trademark type, a strong heroine with an intelligent mind, independent backbone, and curious disposition. The funniest thing about her were her hysterical observations regarding Tony, with him trying to look cocky or self-assured. She portrays him as so boyish I actually laughed out loud on more than one occasion. George was a fun one, too, with dialogue that ribbed Tony' s ego. The cute triple IS addictive to read about, and would have really shone if given the right story.
One thing bugging me, though, is Vicki's lack of emotion with romance. It's hinted she may feel mere rejection because of Tony, George, and every other male drooling at another female character, but when she believes they may have no love for her anymore, she doesn't seem to mind. Who wouldn't? Writing in whatever pseudonym she chooses, Peters always seemed to have a weird way to write about love, relationships, and romances. Here that's almost taken overboard with the strange numbness Vicki shows. I know she's an independent woman who needs no one but herself, but she shouldn't be portrayed as robotic with love either. I was even surprised to find if anyone held romantic feelings and the same urges for marriage as before toward Vicki, as they showed so little of the usual relationship/crush antics over the course of the story.
Nothing is urgent until perhaps the end climax, but even that lacks a certain desperation usually found in intriguing stories. Rich with history, people into the castle setting will be in for a nice surprise as the couple wanders each night in search of an old legend that may not even be true. People who love mysteries but who are a virgin to Peters may be turned off by the lack of intensity, while cozy fans that are Elizabeth Peter regulars will likely feel right at home.
Being only 243 pages, it's short and sweet, starting with a challenge between Vicki and new boyfriend Tony, leading quickly afterward to an old castle itching for exploration. Vicki's goal is to find an old art piece before Tony and their accompanying 'friend' George, figuring it's snugly secured somewhere on the grounds because of an assumption from an old book. The chances of that, by the way, was a far-fetched idea to begin the story on.
The story would be a great mystery, yet turns out merely good simply because not enough detail filled out 243 pages. The story was a very simple one that was forced to slowly drag on because not enough substance was held. Of course there were minor revelations that turned thought processes around and inside out, but nothing staggering. Pacing was very slow, as is trademark Peters, but without the depth stories need to make slow pacing successful.
Characters were fun, especially Vicki and Tony. Her personality was a trademark type, a strong heroine with an intelligent mind, independent backbone, and curious disposition. The funniest thing about her were her hysterical observations regarding Tony, with him trying to look cocky or self-assured. She portrays him as so boyish I actually laughed out loud on more than one occasion. George was a fun one, too, with dialogue that ribbed Tony' s ego. The cute triple IS addictive to read about, and would have really shone if given the right story.
One thing bugging me, though, is Vicki's lack of emotion with romance. It's hinted she may feel mere rejection because of Tony, George, and every other male drooling at another female character, but when she believes they may have no love for her anymore, she doesn't seem to mind. Who wouldn't? Writing in whatever pseudonym she chooses, Peters always seemed to have a weird way to write about love, relationships, and romances. Here that's almost taken overboard with the strange numbness Vicki shows. I know she's an independent woman who needs no one but herself, but she shouldn't be portrayed as robotic with love either. I was even surprised to find if anyone held romantic feelings and the same urges for marriage as before toward Vicki, as they showed so little of the usual relationship/crush antics over the course of the story.
Nothing is urgent until perhaps the end climax, but even that lacks a certain desperation usually found in intriguing stories. Rich with history, people into the castle setting will be in for a nice surprise as the couple wanders each night in search of an old legend that may not even be true. People who love mysteries but who are a virgin to Peters may be turned off by the lack of intensity, while cozy fans that are Elizabeth Peter regulars will likely feel right at home.
plantbirdwoman's review against another edition
2.0
Vicky Bliss is no Amelia Peabody, but she shows some promise. She is a historian from a small midwestern school, friends with a colleague named Tony, both of whom have an interest in art of the Middle Ages. When they come upon a clue regarding a possible work by a 16th century German master, they are off on the hunt, seeking their treasure.
The hunt takes them to Germany and involves them with some rather unsavory people and gets them into some tight situations in very dark places before the missing shrine is found and the villains are unmasked.
This is a very slight book, not really up to Peters' Peabody standards, I thought, but I have more of the series on my "to read" list and I will plow ahead hoping for better things in the next installment.
The hunt takes them to Germany and involves them with some rather unsavory people and gets them into some tight situations in very dark places before the missing shrine is found and the villains are unmasked.
This is a very slight book, not really up to Peters' Peabody standards, I thought, but I have more of the series on my "to read" list and I will plow ahead hoping for better things in the next installment.
allie_shu's review
adventurous
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.0
ssejig's review against another edition
4.0
Vicki Bliss is a historian who has just had the find of a lifetime fall into her lap, proof that a shrine built by Remenschneider (I listened to the book so spelling may be suspect) actually existed. A race between herself and her lover, Tony Lawrence, as well as treasure hunter George Nolan, takes them all to Germany in an old, supposedly haunted castle.
In the setting of the book, the castle is now a hotel run by the final countess (who married into the family) and the last surviving Drachenstein, Irma. The Grauphin, the old countess, is an iron-fisted besom while her niece is a “perfect heroine” including to the point of being a fainting flower. There is also at the castle a Doctor Blankenhagen who may or may not also be looking for the shrine. The countess also has a séance-loving friend and there is an older gentleman, Schmidt, who round out the party.
Peters infused the book with a sense of humor about the whole gothic atmosphere, at one point, Vicki says something along the lines of, “A secret passage? That was all we needed.” Love those bits of self-awareness.
In the setting of the book, the castle is now a hotel run by the final countess (who married into the family) and the last surviving Drachenstein, Irma. The Grauphin, the old countess, is an iron-fisted besom while her niece is a “perfect heroine” including to the point of being a fainting flower. There is also at the castle a Doctor Blankenhagen who may or may not also be looking for the shrine. The countess also has a séance-loving friend and there is an older gentleman, Schmidt, who round out the party.
Peters infused the book with a sense of humor about the whole gothic atmosphere, at one point, Vicki says something along the lines of, “A secret passage? That was all we needed.” Love those bits of self-awareness.
faethverity's review against another edition
3.0
Lots of fun, but had a lot more bickering than I usually like. And the gender politics were a bit much - feminism has changed a lot since the 70s.
bookbrig's review
mysterious
slow-paced
- Diverse cast of characters? No
2.25
I just finished the last Miss Fisher mystery our library owns, and thought I'd try another sleuth series. I'll keep reading this one, but our leading lady only kind of endeared me to her in this opener. She read a bit like a slightly more world weary Nancy Drew, which isn't bad but also wasn't exactly what I was in the mood for. She may grow on me as I go though.
jedimom9's review against another edition
3.0
This was a 3.5 star read for me. It was better than the last Elizabeth Peters I read but still had some weird feminist issues (trying to be feminist but not entirely succeeding). The mystery was fun and I always love how the supposed supernatural elements are played out. I thought I had read some Vicky Bliss novels before but this one didn't sound familiar so maybe it was before I was OCD about reading book 1's first. I would read more of this series.