LAST JUDGEMENT: A Jonathan Argyll Mystery [Hardcover]

Iain Pears (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 3, 1996

Hired to deliver a painting from a Parisian art dealer to a client in Rome, British art historian and amateur sleuth Jonathan Argyll suddenly finds himself caught up in a double murder and begins a probe that uncovers a secret hidden since World War II.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

Jonathan Argyll, British art dealer and sleuth, delivers an obscure 18th-century painting to a Parisian dealer's client in Rome. The client, however, ends up dead. Argyll and his fiancee, Flavia de Stefano, pursue the murderer as well as information about the painting. A solidly enjoyable series.
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist

Jonathan Argyll, British art dealer, and his amour, Flavia de Stefano, a member of Rome's art-theft squad, have decided to marry after happy months of living together. But first, there's business to tend to. On a buying trip to Paris, Jonathan is asked by a colleague to deliver a valuable painting to a client in Rome. He soon discovers that whoever is interested in this picture seems to wind up dead. The trail leads both Jonathan and Flavia from Rome to Paris and back, unearthing in the process a story that began with the French Resistance during World War II and has extended its tendrils to the present day, where familial jealousy, greed over an inheritance, and unrequited love provide the perfect motives for murder. In the odd moment when Jonathan and Flavia aren't detecting, they carry on a delightful courtship that provides nearly as much enjoyment as the surprising plot. A sophisticated, adventurous, and gripping story that is sure to hold wide appeal. Emily Melton

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 224 pages
• Publisher: Scribner (April 3, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0684814595
• ISBN-13: 978-0684814599
• Product Dimensions: 8.6 x 5.6 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (15 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,797,995 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Another interesting art historical mystery, December 26, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: The Last Judgement (Art History Mystery) (Paperback)

Pears offers yet another art historical mystery with a cast of characters including art historian Argyll and Italian Art Police Flavia and Bottando. All these characters are a joy to visit once again, especially those who love this series. However, this plot is not as thickly woven as past Pears' novels. It does have its twists and turns, but in the end the killer is quite obvious, and there is not a whole lot to do about art, in the end. Death and Restoration is perhaps the best to start with in this series; once you get hooked, as I have, read this one, too!

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars More political, still quality, July 12, 2006

By 

trippin toadie (Texas) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Last Judgement (Art History Mystery) (Paperback)

The Last Judgement is slightly more political than the other Argyll art history mysteries. As always there is a dash of sense of humor that keeps the enjoyment level high. A light hearted murder mystery, The Last Judgement involves WW II, family secrets, political intrigue and of course art history. While people will probably see the ending coming; the way it's resolved and the aftermath are appealing.

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Disappointing on the whole, August 14, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: The Last Judgement (Art History Mystery) (Paperback)

I could hardly believe that this was by the same author as the brilliant "An instance of the fingerpost". Admittedly, it's not the same kind of thing and it's an earlier work, but even so, it is mediocre as whodunnits go. The outcome was largely predictable, and the characters lacked dimension. The best thing I can find to say about it is that it is vastly superior to the art history mysteries of Derek Wilson.