Rating: 
Summary: Read the review
Review: I read this book after having read the masterpiece that is
Pears' An Instance of the Fingerpost. Well I must say that
The Raphael Affair is nothing to contend with that work
of genius. But oh well; it's still a fun story and has interesting
subject matter. It's a great mystery and plays out beautifully
as the tension rises to an exciting climax. I could definitely
have done without the female lead character, whose modern
attitude towards men (which basically amounts to little
more than reverse sexism) was irritating
and almost caused me to stop reading the book altogether.
If you can get around that (I could once, but I don't think
I will be racing out to read the next installment, if her
character reappears) then you
will really enjoy this book. But it is, as I said, nowhere
near the league of his incredible Fingerpost effort.
Up against that, I give this three stars. But
compared to other popular fiction, I might give
it four.
Rating: 
Summary: Reality Contrived
Review: I stumbled on a dog-eared paperback edition of this book in the recycle bin of our lending library at work. Working in Rome, I was entranced by the title and even by the cover. I found the characters, the pace of action and the setting all very credible, attractive indeed. The good General Bottando of the Italian National Art Theft Squad reminds me of a few folks that I know. A snapshot of reality; the mystery is a bit contrived, more convoluted than entertaining. Nonetheless the creation of the ambiance is so compelling that I have now ordered a copy of all the in-print books that I could find.
Rating: 
Summary: Absolute must for those who like mysteries involving art.
Review: I'm delighted to see that this series is becoming available in the states in paperback; I used to have to search them out in London whenever I was on vacation. This is the first of the series, and it introduces the characters, who admittedly haven't progressed all that much as characters in the next 5 or so volumes. But they are appealing, and the plots are very clever, and you learn about art, Italy, and art fraud. The Raphael Affair ends with the absolute best conference paper on art history that I have ever "heard", and I've sat through a lot of academic conference sessions on medieval and Renaisance art. I think that this series is superior (because it's more fun) to the author's much reviewed and praised An Indication of the Fingerpost which is a stylistic tour-de-force but not very appealing to me.
Rating:
Summary: Beach reading for Art lovers and Italophiles
Review: If you are looking for another 'An Instance of the Fingerpost' you will have to look elsewhere. This was Mr. Pears' first novel and is much lighter in substance and tone. I actually read it before I read the 'Fingerpost', so I was not expecting the other book's depth. What I found was an amusing little book, where Art Historians are the most clever folks around, and where the action takes place in locales I remember from my study abroad.Given that it was a first novel, and that I have since read the author's BRILLIANT 'Fingerpost', I am looking forward to reading other books in the series.
Rating:
Summary: A Mysterious Painting
Review: 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.
Rating:
Summary: A Mysterious Painting
Review: 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.
Rating:
Summary: Fascinating unravelling of artistic duplicity
Review: Now that Jonathan Gash seems to have put the ever-resourceful Lovejoy into semi-retirement, it's good to find another series that offers a solid mystery plot along with explanations of art fakery, how it's done and how it's discovered. Flavia and Jonathan are very likeable characters, as well.
Rating:
Summary: Enjoyable. Looking forward to rest of series in paperback.
Review: Overall, an enjoyable read. I liked the three major protagonists: head of the Italian police "Art Squad," Bottando; the young protege, Flavia; and the English Art History grad student who, I presume, will continue as the main character of the continuing "Art History Mystery" series. The plot moved along at a good pace with some intriguing twists and turns. In addition, the book provided some credibly informative peeks at art restoration; art forgery; the Raphael period; the art museum business; as well as a whiff of the pleasures of living in and loving the city of Rome.
Rating:
Summary: very good!
Review: 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.
Rating:
Summary: very good!
Review: 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.
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