The Piper on the Mountain

I had not read a good espionage novel, and was delighted to reconnect with the genre in this book: Slovakia behind the Iron Curtain with a tale of government secrets, brilliant minds, innovating technologies and ideals has all the trappings of a gripping story mingled with murder, treason and false accusation. The story stays simple despite all these elements and brilliantly described in a calm and soothing countryside that clashes with the plot. There is not a dull moment and the characters' energy pulls the story throughout. A great read that has not aged.

A mystery set in Slovakia about four Oxford students on a European vacation in the 1960s. The descriptions of Slovakia were so beautifully written that it was tempting to go back and re-read sentences or even full paragraphs. The plot wasn't out of the ordinary but the writing made up for it and made it a very enjoyable read.

I like this one. Twisty, yes, with assumptions overturned in all directions, but the characters we get to know are all on the same side though they may not know it to start with. Poor Mirek. I knew why he blushed - knew it when he bummed a ride. And I really like Tossa - it's good to see her here in her uncertainty before she begins to blossom. And Dom speaking up for the police and being proven right, even if it is the hard way - and going his own way and putting himself in danger to get the answers he needs! Classic Dom. Nothing extraordinary in the story, but it's a beautiful example of a Peters book. I like.

This is a story featuring Dominic Felse, the son of the Inspector. I have always enjoyed Dominic in the Inspector Felse mysteries and it is nice to see him coming into his own. The adventure takes place in Czechoslovakia/Slovakia. Dominic and his friends have become embroiled in danger and intrigue through the falsehoods of one of their companions and must puzzle their way out of it with very little to go on.
I must say the mystery in this was not a big puzzler for me, but I enjoyed the story and the working out of the details of the mystery. The descriptions of the country and the culture were interesting, and when she talked about a fujaras, I was able to look it up on YouTube to see and hear how it is played. Gotta love the internet.

Short, sweet easy read, takes you to an obscure part of the world; Slovakia in the mid-sixties.

2819 The Piper on the Mountain, by Ellis Peters (read 5 Jan 1996) This novel takes place mainly in Slovakia, in the low Tatras. Tossa Barber's stepfather dies there, and Tossa and three other English youths go there. There are numerous hair-raising adventures. But I cannot say I was too excited by the story.

From the author of the Brother Cadfael books comes a different era, the 1960's. I enjoyed it!