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michelleful's review against another edition
4.0
This was more like it! A fun read. As is Elizabeth Peters' style, there's a lot of melodrama, but well-concealed by the humour in the wry narratorial voice, this time of Vicky Bliss, art historian. The dialogue between "Sir" John and Vicky is hilarious.
kathrynch's review against another edition
3.0
A mystery that never felt particularly original but was still enjoyable to read. In comparison to Peter's Amelia Peabody series which I loved, this just seemed to be lacking something.
plantbirdwoman's review against another edition
4.0
In this second entry of the Vicky Bliss series, Vicky meets "Sir" John Smythe and things get a lot more interesting. It was great fun reading this book that is half romance, half mystery in the tradition of Elizabeth Peters books. It was a page-turner and a very quick read.
As the book opens, Vicky is working at the museum in Munich for Karl Schmidt whom she met in the first novel. Her friend, Tony, has disappeared, presumably back to America, and the museum is presented with a mystery. A man has been found dead on the streets of Munich with a rare jewel, an artistic masterpiece, sewn into his clothing. As it happens, it is an artistic masterpiece that is one of the treasures of the museum. Except it really isn't. It is a perfect copy. The mystery is who made the copy? Where did it come from? How was someone able to copy the piece so very perfectly and for what purpose? Was someone planning to steal the museum's treasure and replace it with the copy?
These are the questions that appeal to the spy persona in Schmidt and he convinces Vicky to take on the task of tracing the copy and finding out who made it and what that person is up to. The trail takes her to Rome, to the Street of the Five Moons. There she meets John Smythe and the game is on.
After the first entry in this series really didn't grab me, I was hesitant about reading the second. I needn't have worried. Peters has hit her stride with Vicky Bliss in this book and I am now looking forward to the remaining entries in the series. In typical Peters fashion, the novel is light and a bit frothy, the main characters have a sardonic wit that is very appealing, and things move along at a very quick pace. Very diverting.
As the book opens, Vicky is working at the museum in Munich for Karl Schmidt whom she met in the first novel. Her friend, Tony, has disappeared, presumably back to America, and the museum is presented with a mystery. A man has been found dead on the streets of Munich with a rare jewel, an artistic masterpiece, sewn into his clothing. As it happens, it is an artistic masterpiece that is one of the treasures of the museum. Except it really isn't. It is a perfect copy. The mystery is who made the copy? Where did it come from? How was someone able to copy the piece so very perfectly and for what purpose? Was someone planning to steal the museum's treasure and replace it with the copy?
These are the questions that appeal to the spy persona in Schmidt and he convinces Vicky to take on the task of tracing the copy and finding out who made it and what that person is up to. The trail takes her to Rome, to the Street of the Five Moons. There she meets John Smythe and the game is on.
After the first entry in this series really didn't grab me, I was hesitant about reading the second. I needn't have worried. Peters has hit her stride with Vicky Bliss in this book and I am now looking forward to the remaining entries in the series. In typical Peters fashion, the novel is light and a bit frothy, the main characters have a sardonic wit that is very appealing, and things move along at a very quick pace. Very diverting.
ssejig's review against another edition
4.0
A great example of why I love this series even though it's ... 40 years old? Good Lord. So self-referential (you would never meet the villain at the end) and wry. Vicky Bliss is a fantabulous character. A blonde with a body like a centerfold, a mind like a steel trap, and the wit to keep you reading.
This time, there are replicas of famous items that are being put out into the world, including one from her very own university. So Vicky's off to Rome to figure out what's going on. Her adventures are fun and fascinating. As is John Smythe, the Englishman she meets along the way.
The mystery is fairly clued with the reader able to guess the villain(s?) fairly easily. And all of the characters are painted so vividly including secondary characters like Herr Schmidt, the Italian principessa, Bruno, the Italian count as well as his son, his mother, and his mistress. Even Caesar the dog.
This time, there are replicas of famous items that are being put out into the world, including one from her very own university. So Vicky's off to Rome to figure out what's going on. Her adventures are fun and fascinating. As is John Smythe, the Englishman she meets along the way.
The mystery is fairly clued with the reader able to guess the villain(s?) fairly easily. And all of the characters are painted so vividly including secondary characters like Herr Schmidt, the Italian principessa, Bruno, the Italian count as well as his son, his mother, and his mistress. Even Caesar the dog.
luxlunae47's review against another edition
4.0
More jolly good fun, I'm glad I was introduced to Vicky, she's as much fun as Peabody!
catsbah's review against another edition
3.0
I enjoyed this book more than the first one, but not quite enough for 4 stars. I thought John Smythe was an interesting hero for the story, who was not quite a hero. It made for a few interesting twists in the plot.
In this story, Vicky follows clues to uncover a ring of master criminals making replicas of ancient jewellery. Her champion is John Smythe, but he is also part of the ring, so you aren't sure if you can ever really trust him.
I've been told each story gets better, and I did like this one, so I'll read the third
In this story, Vicky follows clues to uncover a ring of master criminals making replicas of ancient jewellery. Her champion is John Smythe, but he is also part of the ring, so you aren't sure if you can ever really trust him.
I've been told each story gets better, and I did like this one, so I'll read the third
besha's review against another edition
4.0
I'm rereading the Vicky Bliss series in honor of MPM's death. I'd forgotten how much I'd memorized--everything from
"I was reminded of something my father had said once, when in my younger and more supercilious days I had complained that my college courses weren't relevant to modern life. 'Relevant?' he had bellowed, with the snort he used when he was particularly exasperated. 'How the hell do you know what is going to be relevant?' He was right--though I would probably never tell him so."
to
"If you think azaleas aren't prickly, try falling into one."
"I was reminded of something my father had said once, when in my younger and more supercilious days I had complained that my college courses weren't relevant to modern life. 'Relevant?' he had bellowed, with the snort he used when he was particularly exasperated. 'How the hell do you know what is going to be relevant?' He was right--though I would probably never tell him so."
to
"If you think azaleas aren't prickly, try falling into one."
bookaddictkatie's review against another edition
5.0
I think the audiobook is even better than in print, although I love both versions so much. Elizabeth Peters was *that* defining author for me when I entered my teens. Her humor, intelligent heroines, and sense of adventure have always kept me amused and delighted. This book is where Vicky Bliss becomes a real character to me. The first book was great, but she didn't really have her voice yet, or maybe it was just a lack of rhythm. In this second book, Vicky is established and ready for adventure.
Barbara Rosenblat is my favorite narrator of all time, so I'm a little biased about the audio, but I love her take on all of the characters. Her Vicky Bliss is even better than her Amelia Peabody, and that is definitely saying something.
Barbara Rosenblat is my favorite narrator of all time, so I'm a little biased about the audio, but I love her take on all of the characters. Her Vicky Bliss is even better than her Amelia Peabody, and that is definitely saying something.
dgrachel's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5