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Summary: Color by Numbers English Mystery
Review: Possibly the best thing about Iain Pears' art history mystery series is the cover artwork. Once you actually open the book, it's all downhill. The characters are weakly developed, the mysteries, such as they are, can be solved almost as soon as they're presented, and the plot dawdles amazingly for such short books. On the positive side, though, the books are extremely light, chipper, and fast reads - ideal, for example, for convalescents and the clinically depressed. Those who like a bit of meat to their reading material are advised to look elsewhere, though.Perhaps I'm judging Pears too harshly, but I know he can do better than this. He has. His An Instance of the Fingerpost is an astonishing book, well-written, complex, detailed, and utterly satisfying - a book that transcends the mystery genre. It's hard to believe the Argyll/di Stefano mysteries come from the same author. In The Raphael Affair, Jonathan Argyll and Flavia di Stefano meet over an investigation into a possible Raphael and a mysteriously deceased dealer in icons. Unfortunately, that's pretty much the beginning and the ending of the plot - the actual mystery doesn't make its debut until page 100 or so, and even then there isn't much to it. It is perfectly possible to solve the mystery even though the author commits the cardinal sin of failing to provide the reader with all the clues; however, it is not at all possible to care about the solution. A more serious problem, given that this is the launch of a series, is the lack of character interest and development. Argyll is a believable character, but not a particularly compelling one - 'art dork' pretty much sums him up, with room to spare - and Flavia, while a good idea, never really makes it into three dimensions; Pears doesn't seem to have a feel for her at all. The background characters are even weaker, with the exception of Flavia's boss, who is a stereotypical but well-fleshed old-school Italian bureaucrat. More interesting is the background and setting of the book. Pears obviously is familiar with the art world, and his descriptions are entertaining. The setting is also enjoyable, especially for those who love Italy; Pears clearly has knowledge of, and fondness for, the place, and manages to communicate some of that to the reader. He also has some humorous observations about the structure and function of Italian bureaucracy. Unfortunately, there isn't enough of this stuff to make up for the weaknesses of the book. All in all, this book is recommended only for those interested in a very light read, or for those very interested in either Italy or art. Those who read mysteries for plot or for characters would be better off with another author. And those who are hoping for a display of talent equal to that shown in An Instance of the Fingerpost will be sadly disappointed.
Rating: 
Summary: Well written, different from the usual, fun read.
Review: Really enjoyed this book. Reminds me of "Searching for Cezanne", and some of the murder mysteries which take place in Venice. Great European flavor. Throughly enjoyable. When the other three come out in paperback, I'll be first in line.
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Summary: Definitely a fun read for a train or airplane ride
Review: This a highly entertaining, fun and easy read, particularly for a long journey. The setting is compelling. One can imagine the characters in some highly-rated TV series. There may not have been enough character development, and perhaps I expected a bit more erudition. However, on the whole I quite enjoyed it, and now look forward to reading other Pears.
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Summary: An affair to forget
Review: This book was disappointing. Although the art history and forgery in today's world are interesting and well written, the book lacks romance, and the characters are rather flat. It could have been so much better if Mr. Pears had expanded the romantic relationship of Johnathan and Flavia. The writing style seems dry and bland.
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Summary: The first Jonathan Argyll mystery
Review: This is the first book by Iain Pears, a writer that was later to go on to write 6 more in the same series, plus the internationally acclaimed epic 'An Instance of the Fingerpost' and most recently 'The Dream of Scipio'. It is a bold beginning, though by no means his best. It introduces us to two characters that over the course of the 7 books we are to become very familiar with: English art critic Jonathan Argyll and Italian Flavia Di Stefano, from the art crime squad. In a book that is charming in its detailed view of Italy and its excellent balance of thrilling crime writing and an intellectual knowledge of art, Pears writes a page-turner which bode well for what was to be an even better series. It is interesting, thrilling and well wrapped up. Well worth a read.
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Summary: A most enjoyable diversion....
Review: This, the first in the Jonathan Argyll series, pits Argyll and soon-to-be love interest against the forces of darkness in the European theater of fine art. Not meant as great literature, it nonetheless proves both immensely satisfying and entertaining, while teaching the uninitiated a thing or two about art history. A great traveling book for those who don't wish to tax their intellect, but don't desire to leave their brain's gearbox stuck in neutral, either. Enjoy.
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Summary: A delightful read
Review: Tight plot, well written, with interesting characters set against the backdrop of the European art world. A rich and mysterious milieu for this excellent writer's stories. A great read.
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Summary: A recommendation for you. . .
Review: To all lovers of Pears, let me recommend another sensational author you will love: Glenn Kleier. His novel, THE LAST DAY is nothing short of brilliant and I believe you will find it just as astounding as I have. It's become my all time favorite novel and I'd like to share the great enjoyment it gave me.
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Summary: when a rapael comes to light...
Review: When a young English art student stumbles over an old mystery of a missing masterpiece, the consequences are expensive and deadly.
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Summary: a missing masterpiece is found,the consequences are deadly
Review: When an English art student starts looking for a lost masterpiece, the consequences turn deadly. This book was a great book for a plane ride or long trip. It was quite interesting and it tought me plenty I did not know about Mantini and Raphael.
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