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Fiction.
Mystery.
What did it mean? The note with the hieroglyphs was found in the pocket of a man lying dead in an alley. The only other item of interest on him was a piece of jewellery, a reproduction of the Charlemagne talisman, but so well done that Vicky Bliss thought she was being shown the real thing. The gold work had been done by a master craftsman; the stones were of top quality synthetic...Vicky didn't know what it meant yet, but ion the sundrenched streets and moonlit courtyards of Rome, she was going to find out -- if the dangerously exciting Englishman didn't get in her way!.… (more)
faither: Although not set in nearly the same time period (1970s-ish and mid-1800s), Vicky Bliss and Lady Julia Gray are similar heroes. Witty, stubborn and intelligent if they were contemporaries, I'd like to think they would be partners.
themulhern: Published at about the same time, these books seem to me to both be responses to the James Bond genre and other like it. In both books, and the series, the protagonist is a woman with characteristics that give her an advantage of a sort in her adventures. But in neither series is she an action hero.… (more)
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After the prequel and the first book in this series, I wasn't expecting the second to be as good as it turned out to be. Kathleen Turner's narration really suited the book. ( )
Another caper featuring Vicky Bliss. After the events of the previous book, Vicky managed to get at job at the National Museum in Munich; the jolly gent turned out to be the director. An unidentified corpse turns up in a Munich alley - the only clue to his identity is the Charlemagne Talisman in a hidden pocket. Checks prove the jewel to be an extremely good copy - too good to be true.
After going through some odd bits from his pockets, Vicky discovers another clue which leads to Rome and a forgery gang. Here she meets Sir John Smythe, who is working for the forgers, and is a very attractive man.
Another fun read from the pen of the late Elizabeth Peters. Recommended.
I really liked this one. The first book seemed like it dragged on and on at the beginning. This book was written much better. You can tell Peters is improving. I really love the characters in this series and the humor and action. Looking forward to reading the rest of the series. ( )
The second book in the Vicky Bliss series, this story just keeps moving. I can't help but like Vicky and John Smythe is a welcome foil for her. Rollicking fun! ( )
To Sara and Dave and all the other Davidsons with love
First words
I was sitting at my desk doing my nails when the door opened and the spy sneaked in.
Quotations
"My hero," I said. "I have misjudged you. I am abject. I grovel. And of course my girlish heart is palpitating with rapture because you risked your life--" The wineglass splashed against the wall with a musical tinkle, and Smythe, turning, threw his arms around me and yanked me up against his chest with a force that drove the wind out of my lungs. "Will he kiss her or kill her?" I gasped. "Tune in tomorrow and hear the next--" Smythe's face broke up. He began to laugh.
I am by nature an optimistic person. But during those minutes in the mud and the dark, alone with a man who was quietly bleeding to death on my lap, with a mob of murderous brutes scouring the fields to find us . . . I was depressed.
I had to admire his well-developed sense of self-preservation, which was uncluttered by any taint of old-fashioned chivalry.
Last words
They say if you stand on the Champs Elysees, sooner or later you will meet everyone you've ever known.
Fiction.
Mystery.
What did it mean? The note with the hieroglyphs was found in the pocket of a man lying dead in an alley. The only other item of interest on him was a piece of jewellery, a reproduction of the Charlemagne talisman, but so well done that Vicky Bliss thought she was being shown the real thing. The gold work had been done by a master craftsman; the stones were of top quality synthetic...Vicky didn't know what it meant yet, but ion the sundrenched streets and moonlit courtyards of Rome, she was going to find out -- if the dangerously exciting Englishman didn't get in her way!.
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