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3.57 AVERAGE
3.57 AVERAGE
funny
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
The Titian Committee is a wonderful mystery novel. It might be the second book in the series, but one does not need to have read The Rafael Affair in order to understand or enjoy this book. The characters are wonderful and realistic, and are all introduced very well, without needing references to previous works. In fact, the introductions work so well that one might not even realize that this is not the first book in the series until one is informed of the fact.
The mystery itself is very intriguing, with plenty of well hidden clues and foreshadowing, yet the answer not being blatantly obvious. The reveal is a bit overdramatic, and yet the story does not suffer for it.
The main characters are Jonathan Argyll, an accident prone and sweet Englishman turned art dealer who is prone to bouts of sarcasm and Flavia di Stefano, a member of the Italian Art Squad with a nose for trouble and good instinct.
With the Art Squad being threatened with closure in order to save money on the budget, Flavia is sent to Venice in order to assist the investigation of the murder of the only female on a committee that studies Titians and declares them either authentic or fakes. Jonathan, however, has already been in Venice for some time, and is currently in the midst of making a deal for a small collection of paintings, but is having trouble as the personal assistant of the woman who owns the paintings is being difficult.
Flavia asks for Jonathan’s assistance in the matter, interviewing the rest of the committee about the murder victim. Here too, the characters are spectacular. Some of them are very wonderful characters with clear flaws, others are people who truly deserve the loathing that Flavia feels upon meeting them.
The story shows the culture of Venice very clearly. The descriptions are quite clear and breathtaking, and the method of reasoning applied by both Flavia and Jonathan is easy to follow, and yet not predictable.
The case gets even more complicated when the leader of the Titian Committee is discovered dead in a canal soon afterwards. The death is dismissed as an accident by the local carabinieri (the Italian Police Force), but Flavia’s instinct informs her that it was not. Soon afterwards, while walking with Jonathan, discussing the case, Jonathan manages to trip and falls into the canal himself, revealing it to be not very deep at all. Flavia’s suspicions aroused, she continues her investigation.
When the paintings that Jonathan had finally managed to get a deal to buy gets stolen, he is framed as the main suspect, pulling the head of Flavia’s department down into Venice for good measure. The three of them look into the affair, and discover that there might be more corruption in the Titian Committee than they ever could have imagined.
All in all, a wonderful read, and an excellent mystery.
The mystery itself is very intriguing, with plenty of well hidden clues and foreshadowing, yet the answer not being blatantly obvious. The reveal is a bit overdramatic, and yet the story does not suffer for it.
The main characters are Jonathan Argyll, an accident prone and sweet Englishman turned art dealer who is prone to bouts of sarcasm and Flavia di Stefano, a member of the Italian Art Squad with a nose for trouble and good instinct.
With the Art Squad being threatened with closure in order to save money on the budget, Flavia is sent to Venice in order to assist the investigation of the murder of the only female on a committee that studies Titians and declares them either authentic or fakes. Jonathan, however, has already been in Venice for some time, and is currently in the midst of making a deal for a small collection of paintings, but is having trouble as the personal assistant of the woman who owns the paintings is being difficult.
Flavia asks for Jonathan’s assistance in the matter, interviewing the rest of the committee about the murder victim. Here too, the characters are spectacular. Some of them are very wonderful characters with clear flaws, others are people who truly deserve the loathing that Flavia feels upon meeting them.
The story shows the culture of Venice very clearly. The descriptions are quite clear and breathtaking, and the method of reasoning applied by both Flavia and Jonathan is easy to follow, and yet not predictable.
The case gets even more complicated when the leader of the Titian Committee is discovered dead in a canal soon afterwards. The death is dismissed as an accident by the local carabinieri (the Italian Police Force), but Flavia’s instinct informs her that it was not. Soon afterwards, while walking with Jonathan, discussing the case, Jonathan manages to trip and falls into the canal himself, revealing it to be not very deep at all. Flavia’s suspicions aroused, she continues her investigation.
When the paintings that Jonathan had finally managed to get a deal to buy gets stolen, he is framed as the main suspect, pulling the head of Flavia’s department down into Venice for good measure. The three of them look into the affair, and discover that there might be more corruption in the Titian Committee than they ever could have imagined.
All in all, a wonderful read, and an excellent mystery.
I am definitely warming to this series and Pears' characters are quickly becoming like old friends. I think I can squeeze one more in before Laurie King's, The God of the Hive is released.
Flavia and Jonathon are located in Venice for this story, as several members of a committee working to authenticate Titians are murdered. The plotline is tricky and kept me involved mentally until the Agatha Christie ending- everyone in one room for the big untangling.
Flavia shows her feminist colors in this story and teaches the men she works with a thing or two about how it is to be a woman working in a "man's world". Persuasive, not pedantic.
Flavia and Jonathon are located in Venice for this story, as several members of a committee working to authenticate Titians are murdered. The plotline is tricky and kept me involved mentally until the Agatha Christie ending- everyone in one room for the big untangling.
Flavia shows her feminist colors in this story and teaches the men she works with a thing or two about how it is to be a woman working in a "man's world". Persuasive, not pedantic.
Set in Venice this is the second novel in a series featuring English art dealer Jonathan Argyll and Flavia di Stefano of the Italian Art Theft Squad. The plot moved along briskly and I really enjoyed the writing flow and humor.
lighthearted
mysterious
relaxing
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Rating: Enjoyable and fun
I really enjoy Iain Pears, how he writes, what he writes. His titular hero Jonathan Argyll is a slightly distractible, mild art historian who tends to lose the thread periodically, not to mention manage to fall into a lagoon. The heroine of the series, Flavia, is a lovely Italian woman who is far more focused and determined to solve art related crimes, and who rather intimidates Jonathan who clearly doesn't see himself in her class. So they are friends, and part-time colleagues. And her boss is a hoot.
The mysteries themselves generally ramble, much like Jonathan, but the hints are there if you can pick them out from the distractions a bit quicker than can Jonathan.
I really enjoy Iain Pears, how he writes, what he writes. His titular hero Jonathan Argyll is a slightly distractible, mild art historian who tends to lose the thread periodically, not to mention manage to fall into a lagoon. The heroine of the series, Flavia, is a lovely Italian woman who is far more focused and determined to solve art related crimes, and who rather intimidates Jonathan who clearly doesn't see himself in her class. So they are friends, and part-time colleagues. And her boss is a hoot.
The mysteries themselves generally ramble, much like Jonathan, but the hints are there if you can pick them out from the distractions a bit quicker than can Jonathan.
This book is written in a distinct style, and with a subtle sense of humor. If you love this sort of understated British prose, this book is for you. If you are not quite sure, read the first sentence:
"The initial discovery was made by the gardener of the Giardinetti Reali, an old and stooped figure whose labors generally pass unnoticed by the millions of tourists who come to Venice every year, even by those who eat their sandwiches amidst his creation as they get their breath back from overdosing on architectural splendour."
If, like me, you find this sentence deliciously funny, read on!
And yes, the mystery takes place in Venice. (well, mostly) Murders. Art theft. A dash of art history. What's not to love?
"The initial discovery was made by the gardener of the Giardinetti Reali, an old and stooped figure whose labors generally pass unnoticed by the millions of tourists who come to Venice every year, even by those who eat their sandwiches amidst his creation as they get their breath back from overdosing on architectural splendour."
If, like me, you find this sentence deliciously funny, read on!
And yes, the mystery takes place in Venice. (well, mostly) Murders. Art theft. A dash of art history. What's not to love?
I love these fluffy, fluffy mysteries. Jonathan Argyll and Flavia di Stephano and the General are all delightful. The books themselves are dry and full of wit and humor. I love them!!! Very quick.
21 out of 50 yr.
21 out of 50 yr.