Review
‘A witty and exceptionally brilliant puzzler’ Sunday Times
‘Fresh, contemporary and coloured with sardonic wit’ She
Praise for the Jonathan Argyll novels:
'Superior entertainment.' Allan Massie, Scotsman
'There is nothing so satisfactory as the deconstruction of a puzzle in the hands of such an erudite and sure-footed author.' The Times
'Pears is a delightful writer, with a light, ironic touch.' Frances Fyfield, Mail on Sunday
'Iain Pears writes delightfully witty, elegant, well-informed crime novels.' The Times
'You don't have to know much about art to enjoy Iain Pears's Italian mysteries. Like a good teacher, he shares his passion unobtrusively and flavours his lessons with wit.' Val McDermid
'Pears is a delightful writer, with a light, ironic touch.' Mail on Sunday
--This text refers to the
Paperback
edition.
From the Back Cover
When Jonathan Argyll agreed to transport The Death of Socrates from a gallery in Paris to its new owner in Rome, he had no idea that such a worthless, nondescript painting would cause such as stir. First someone tries to steal it from him in a train station. Then the man he's delivering it to decides he doesn't want it and is brutally murdered a few hours later.
Now Argyll is stuck with a painting that only the most tasteless collector could love, and he finds himself right in the middle of a murder investigation. With bodies piling up, he must delve into the dark secrets in the painting's past – before someone with truly horrible taste decides to put him out of the picture for good.
'Pears writes with such wit and a deep knowledge of art and art history that as entertainment his series has few rivals'
PETER GUTTRIDGE, 'Observer'
'Pears is that rare bird: a crime writer who can grip without gore.'
JANE JAKEMAN, 'Independent'
'A witty, exceptionally brilliant puzzler.'
JOHN COLEMAN, 'Sunday Times'
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
