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Vicky Bliss, a brain with a body like a centerfold, often has a tough time getting people to take her seriously. But when it comes to medieval history, this blonde beauty knows her stuff -- and she's a master at solving mysteries that would turn the art world upside down. Vicky gasped at the sight of the exquisite gold pendant her boss at Munich's National Museum held in his hand. The Charlemagne talisman replica, along with a note in hieroglyphs, was found sewn into the suit pocket of an show more unidentified man found dead in an alley. Vicky vows to find the master craftsman who created it. It's a daring chase that takes her all the way to Rome and through the dusty antique centers and moonlit streets of the most romantic city in the world. But soon she's trapped in a treacherous game of intrigue that could cost her life -- or her Bliss, a brain with a body like a centerfold, often has a tough time getting people to take her seriously. But when it comes to medieval history, this blonde beauty knows her stuff -- and she's a master at solving mysteries that would turn the art world upside down. Vicky gasped at the sight of the exquisite gold pendant her boss at Munich's National Museum held in his hand. The Charlemagne talisman replica, along with a note in hieroglyphs, was found sewn into the suit pocket of an unidentified man found dead in an alley. Vicky vows to find the master craftsman who created it. It's a daring chase that takes her all the way to Rome and through the dusty antique centers and moonlit streets of the most romantic city in the world. But soon she's trapped in a treacherous game of intrigue that could cost her life -- or her Bliss, a brain with a body like a centerfold, often has a tough time getting people to take her seriously. But when it comes to medieval history, this blonde beauty knows her stuff -- and she's a master at solving mysteries that would turn the art world upside down. Vicky gasped at the sight of the exquisite gold pendant her boss at Munich's National Museum held in his hand. The Charlemagne talisman replica, along with a note in hieroglyphs, was found sewn into the suit pocket of an unidentified man found dead in an alley. Vicky vows to find the master craftsman who created it. It's a daring chase that takes her all the way to Rome and through the dusty antique centers and moonlit streets of the most romantic city in the world. But soon she's trapped in a treacherous game of intrigue that could cost her life -- or her. show lessTags
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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.
faither Similar writing style and voice with both these series. Also both take place in Italy.
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.
Member Reviews
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.
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 love Elizabeth Peters but I cannot, will not, read a book where the heroine is knocked out and when she comes to, unknown villains are discussing raping her. And then, when a handsome, but ethically challenged man rescues her, she then doesn't tell the police, doesn't tell her boss, doesn't leave the country she GOES BACK TO THE CRIMINALS' HIDEOUT. I can't read a book with a heroine that stupid.
in a sentence or two: Vicky Bliss is hot on the trail of a gang of artistic forgeries in Rome. her sly detective work (insert sarcasm here) leads her to be kidnapped, beat up, be whisked away to an Italian mansion, and attacked by garden statues while on the case of the remarkably accurate forgeries being sold to museums.
having read and loved the first Vicky Bliss mystery, Borrower of the Night, i knew i was in for a treat. Vicky is smart, witty, snarky, and all around awesome. while working for Herr Schmidt at Munich's National Museum, some suspicious activities take place. like an unidentified man carrying what seems to be a priceless and ancient gold pendant sewn into his jacket. always ready for an adventure, Vicky is off to Rome to show more try and discover what she can - based on a little scrap of paper found at the scene containing a quasi-clue.
due to school and other commitments (work, laundry, etc.), i didn't get a chance to read this as quickly as i would have liked. i feel like the Vicky Bliss mysteries are best read as uninterrupted as possible. that being said, i still really dug this. Vicky's discoveries are well balanced with the humor, sarcasm, and wit that sets these novels apart from other mysteries i've read. you don't know who to suspect, or why, and quite frankly - neither does Vicky. mainly it's a hodge podge of suspicions and clues leading up to the dramatic "ah-ha" moments. i don't mean that in a demeaning way at all - in fact, i absolutely love that method of suspense. plus, with a new love interest, John Smythe, i was totally sucked in.
i am wary to compare books to other books, because i feel like they are written to be judged on their own merit. however, if i had to, i'd say that i preferred Borrower of the Night to this one. only because that had a gothic/creepy ghost feel whereas this was more focused on the Italian mansion/secret gang of art thieves feel. both solid mysteries were kept exciting with suspense and the fantastic voice of Vicky.
fave quote: "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." (271)
fix er up: i didn't want it to end. seriously. when i finally got the couple hours free i needed to sit and plow through this, i just couldn't get enough! good thing there are more mysteries for Vicky Bliss to solve... show less
having read and loved the first Vicky Bliss mystery, Borrower of the Night, i knew i was in for a treat. Vicky is smart, witty, snarky, and all around awesome. while working for Herr Schmidt at Munich's National Museum, some suspicious activities take place. like an unidentified man carrying what seems to be a priceless and ancient gold pendant sewn into his jacket. always ready for an adventure, Vicky is off to Rome to show more try and discover what she can - based on a little scrap of paper found at the scene containing a quasi-clue.
due to school and other commitments (work, laundry, etc.), i didn't get a chance to read this as quickly as i would have liked. i feel like the Vicky Bliss mysteries are best read as uninterrupted as possible. that being said, i still really dug this. Vicky's discoveries are well balanced with the humor, sarcasm, and wit that sets these novels apart from other mysteries i've read. you don't know who to suspect, or why, and quite frankly - neither does Vicky. mainly it's a hodge podge of suspicions and clues leading up to the dramatic "ah-ha" moments. i don't mean that in a demeaning way at all - in fact, i absolutely love that method of suspense. plus, with a new love interest, John Smythe, i was totally sucked in.
i am wary to compare books to other books, because i feel like they are written to be judged on their own merit. however, if i had to, i'd say that i preferred Borrower of the Night to this one. only because that had a gothic/creepy ghost feel whereas this was more focused on the Italian mansion/secret gang of art thieves feel. both solid mysteries were kept exciting with suspense and the fantastic voice of Vicky.
fave quote: "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." (271)
fix er up: i didn't want it to end. seriously. when i finally got the couple hours free i needed to sit and plow through this, i just couldn't get enough! good thing there are more mysteries for Vicky Bliss to solve... show less
in a sentence or two: Vicky Bliss is hot on the trail of a gang of artistic forgeries in Rome. her sly detective work (insert sarcasm here) leads her to be kidnapped, beat up, be whisked away to an Italian mansion, and attacked by garden statues while on the case of the remarkably accurate forgeries being sold to museums.
having read and loved the first Vicky Bliss mystery, Borrower of the Night, i knew i was in for a treat. Vicky is smart, witty, snarky, and all around awesome. while working for Herr Schmidt at Munich's National Museum, some suspicious activities take place. like an unidentified man carrying what seems to be a priceless and ancient gold pendant sewn into his jacket. always ready for an adventure, Vicky is off to Rome to show more try and discover what she can - based on a little scrap of paper found at the scene containing a quasi-clue.
due to school and other commitments (work, laundry, etc.), i didn't get a chance to read this as quickly as i would have liked. i feel like the Vicky Bliss mysteries are best read as uninterrupted as possible. that being said, i still really dug this. Vicky's discoveries are well balanced with the humor, sarcasm, and wit that sets these novels apart from other mysteries i've read. you don't know who to suspect, or why, and quite frankly - neither does Vicky. mainly it's a hodge podge of suspicions and clues leading up to the dramatic "ah-ha" moments. i don't mean that in a demeaning way at all - in fact, i absolutely love that method of suspense. plus, with a new love interest, John Smythe, i was totally sucked in.
i am wary to compare books to other books, because i feel like they are written to be judged on their own merit. however, if i had to, i'd say that i preferred Borrower of the Night to this one. only because that had a gothic/creepy ghost feel whereas this was more focused on the Italian mansion/secret gang of art thieves feel. both solid mysteries were kept exciting with suspense and the fantastic voice of Vicky.
fave quote: "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." (271)
fix er up: i didn't want it to end. seriously. when i finally got the couple hours free i needed to sit and plow through this, i just couldn't get enough! good thing there are more mysteries for Vicky Bliss to solve... show less
having read and loved the first Vicky Bliss mystery, Borrower of the Night, i knew i was in for a treat. Vicky is smart, witty, snarky, and all around awesome. while working for Herr Schmidt at Munich's National Museum, some suspicious activities take place. like an unidentified man carrying what seems to be a priceless and ancient gold pendant sewn into his jacket. always ready for an adventure, Vicky is off to Rome to show more try and discover what she can - based on a little scrap of paper found at the scene containing a quasi-clue.
due to school and other commitments (work, laundry, etc.), i didn't get a chance to read this as quickly as i would have liked. i feel like the Vicky Bliss mysteries are best read as uninterrupted as possible. that being said, i still really dug this. Vicky's discoveries are well balanced with the humor, sarcasm, and wit that sets these novels apart from other mysteries i've read. you don't know who to suspect, or why, and quite frankly - neither does Vicky. mainly it's a hodge podge of suspicions and clues leading up to the dramatic "ah-ha" moments. i don't mean that in a demeaning way at all - in fact, i absolutely love that method of suspense. plus, with a new love interest, John Smythe, i was totally sucked in.
i am wary to compare books to other books, because i feel like they are written to be judged on their own merit. however, if i had to, i'd say that i preferred Borrower of the Night to this one. only because that had a gothic/creepy ghost feel whereas this was more focused on the Italian mansion/secret gang of art thieves feel. both solid mysteries were kept exciting with suspense and the fantastic voice of Vicky.
fave quote: "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." (271)
fix er up: i didn't want it to end. seriously. when i finally got the couple hours free i needed to sit and plow through this, i just couldn't get enough! good thing there are more mysteries for Vicky Bliss to solve... show less
Technically, this is the second installment in the Vicky Bliss series (Borrower of the Night being the first). I don't think Borrower of the Night is nearly as good as its sequels (which is really quite unusual). Besides, it isn't until Street of the Five Moons that the real reason we all love Vicky Bliss so much is introduced (and no I am not talking about Caesar the dog!) The handsome ENGLISH ART THIEF (Sir) John Smythe. Notice the emphasis on English and art thief. Either of the two by themselves would be fine but the two together? Perfection! Vicky and John's eternal bickering and their constant state of getting into mischief and then having to rescue each other--this is why we love Vicky Bliss novels and clamor for more!
My favourite Vicky Bliss book, with much bonkers mills and boon style romance between Vicky and John, who while not exactly a master criminal in the mode of other Elizabeth Peters books (the whole Amelia Peabody series - and by the way, could we have a few less of those - now she'd a grandmother and we're up to something like 20, I've sort of lost interest. Write more about your other heroines, or invent some new ones!) - as I was saying, while John isn't an evil master criminal, he's fine and sexy and rather makes me want to go and find my own raffles-style jewel thief to run about with.
I have to preface this by saying that I liked this one much more than the first one.
Taking place in Italy this time sassy Vicky Bliss takes on a gang of art thieves. While the writing is definitely dated, that doesn't interfere with Bliss' charm and ability to solve the crime.
Taking place in Italy this time sassy Vicky Bliss takes on a gang of art thieves. While the writing is definitely dated, that doesn't interfere with Bliss' charm and ability to solve the crime.
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Common Knowledge
- Canonical title
- Street of the Five Moons
- Original title
- Street of the Five Moons
- Alternate titles*
- Die Straße der fünf Monde
- Original publication date
- 1978
- People/Characters
- Vicky Bliss; Luigi Caravaggio; Count Pietro Caravaggio; Principessa Bianca Concini; Karl Feder; Helena (show all 8); Anton Zachariah Schmidt; Sir John Smythe (2 | aka John Tregarth)
- Important places
- Munich, Bavaria, Germany; Rome, Italy
- Dedication
- 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... (show all) 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 de... (show all)pressed.
I had to admire his well-developed sense of self-preservation, which was uncluttered by any taint of old-fashioned chivalry. - Last words
- (Click to show. Warning: May contain spoilers.)They say if you stand on the Champs Elysees, sooner or later you will meet everyone you've ever known.
*Some information comes from Common Knowledge in other languages. Click "Edit" for more information.
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