- Paperback: 288 pages
- Publisher: Penguin Putnam Inc; Reprint edition (7 Sep 2001)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 0425173585
- ISBN-13: 978-0425173589
- Product Dimensions: 17.3 x 10.7 x 2.2 cm
- Average Customer Review: 3.4 out of 5 stars See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 2,215,326 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
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More About the Author
Product Description
Review
Now that fledgling art dealer Jonathan Argyll has finally consummated his rather foolish romance with Flavia di Stefano, of Rome's Art Theft Department (The Last Judgment, 1996, etc.), the two of them can finally turn their full-time energies to tracking down stolen Italian masters. But this time they don't even need to nose out secrets; the secrets come to them. First there's a tearful confession from Maria Fancelli that 30 years ago she helped her seducer, shadowy English dealer Geoffrey Forster, steal an Uccello; then, after Jonathan flies to England and phones Forster, there's a grudging invitation to discuss the painting, which has to be canceled when Jonathan finds Forster dead; finally, there are statements by two independent witnesses that finger Forster for unsolved thefts of paintings by Fra Angelico and Pollaiulo - and strongly suggest he may have been the wily master thief Flavia's boss, General Taddeo Bottando, has dubbed Giotto. Can Jonathan, short of documentation when somebody breaks the police seals on Forster's house and burns his papers, tie Forster in to all of Giotto's 31 suspected thefts - and Pears's trademark, another sensational centuries-old art find - in time to save Bottando from the officious bureaucrat who's baying for his resignation? As a final twist makes clear, collecting all that evidence is easy compared to the climactic challenge Jonathan will have to meet. Urbane and amusing as ever, with surprising new depths of temptation for the hero - though series veterans won't be fooled. (Kirkus Reviews)
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
Product Description
General Bottando of Rome's Art Theft Squad is in trouble - his theory that a single master criminal, dubbed "Giotto", is behind a string of thefts has aroused the scorn of his rival, the bureaucrat Corrado Argan. He needs a result, and the confession of a dying women provides clues.
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
15 of 17 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
My first Iain Pears book and an excellent start. I found the story engrossing, the art world background fascinating and the cast of main characters believable.
Its a very different approach to the detective story with no full on policemen. There are 2 great characters from the Italian art crime squad battling with art crime, internal politics, the Italian state system, and their own mixture of fiery and sleepy Italian nature. There is also an inquisitive, slightly restless and not very good (i.e too moral) art dealer who has a nose for research and a love for the female art crime squad detective.
They approach different elements of the crime and this keeps the interest going really well. The criminal is a lovable if slightly barmy individual and works well into the story.
I'm a keen Donna Leon fan and that brought me to this book and while not up to Leon's descriptive style it was really enjoyable and i want to find out more about Flavia, Argyll and Bottando.
I love books where I learn something, I'm entertained and where there is a real feeling for atmosphere and this book fits the bill.
Its a very different approach to the detective story with no full on policemen. There are 2 great characters from the Italian art crime squad battling with art crime, internal politics, the Italian state system, and their own mixture of fiery and sleepy Italian nature. There is also an inquisitive, slightly restless and not very good (i.e too moral) art dealer who has a nose for research and a love for the female art crime squad detective.
They approach different elements of the crime and this keeps the interest going really well. The criminal is a lovable if slightly barmy individual and works well into the story.
I'm a keen Donna Leon fan and that brought me to this book and while not up to Leon's descriptive style it was really enjoyable and i want to find out more about Flavia, Argyll and Bottando.
I love books where I learn something, I'm entertained and where there is a real feeling for atmosphere and this book fits the bill.
16 of 20 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
One of the best mystery novels I've read in a long time. Iain Pears is a far better writer of detective novels than Mccabe or Christie. The novel is an easy read without being too simplistic and holds one's attention.
I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a good mystery.
Format:Paperback
For me, this was a surprisingly light and fast read - started and finished almost in an evening.
The story begins in Tuscany with a rather complicated description of departmental politics - but don't let this put you off. Apparently, the 'art theft' department has to prove itself and defend it's methods against an interloper who is all politics and no substance. This opportunity is given in the form of a cryptic note, which opens up a number of unsolved cases - in themselves, open to question. The story develops as the members of the art theft department scrabble to unravel the obvious and the not so obvious.
The most enjoyable part of this book are the twists and double twists. At first, I was bothered that I couldn't really get to grips with the characters, many of whom seem to be little more than cardboard cutouts. However, being patient with this allowed me to really appreciate the denouement which, without giving too much away, hinges on something of a mind game. Definitely worth a read.
The story begins in Tuscany with a rather complicated description of departmental politics - but don't let this put you off. Apparently, the 'art theft' department has to prove itself and defend it's methods against an interloper who is all politics and no substance. This opportunity is given in the form of a cryptic note, which opens up a number of unsolved cases - in themselves, open to question. The story develops as the members of the art theft department scrabble to unravel the obvious and the not so obvious.
The most enjoyable part of this book are the twists and double twists. At first, I was bothered that I couldn't really get to grips with the characters, many of whom seem to be little more than cardboard cutouts. However, being patient with this allowed me to really appreciate the denouement which, without giving too much away, hinges on something of a mind game. Definitely worth a read.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Pleasantly readable; decidedly NOT a thriller!
I found "Giotto's Hand" a nice unchallenging, relaxing read, in the course of which I learned a surprising amount about the world of art dealing (although, as other reviewers have... Read more
Published on 30 Mar 2010 by T. D. Welsh
Amusing Whodunnit
This was an enjoyable and amusing "whodunnit" which harked back to the Golden Age of crime novels, with its setting in a Miss Marple-ish village where the local Lady of the Manor... Read more
Published on 16 Feb 2010 by Beebarf
Misleading!!!
This book is called "Giotto's hand", it is based around art theft, involves an art dealer and an art detection agency and is written by an art historian. Read more
Published on 13 April 2006 by Christopher Allen
shallow and uninspiring
With virtually no depth to the leading characters and a catatonically unexciting plot, this book is like a "young readers" detective story, or a re-written novel for learners of... Read more
Published on 16 Feb 2004 by Dobester
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