The Raphael Affair (Art History Mystery) [Mass Market Paperback]

Iain Pears (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 1, 1998

When a long-lost Raphael resurfaces, it triggers a chain of events from vandalism...to murder! As English art scholar Jonathan Argyll investigates, he ends up on a run for the truth...and his very own life.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Pity the rather overfed Gen. Bottando of the Italian National Art Theft Squad. An excellent, unknown Raphael was smuggled out of Rome hidden under a painting by the heroically second-rate artist Mantini. When it's eventually recovered at great cost by the Italian government and the Museo Nazionale, Bottando's peaceable existence in the Eternal City is further disturbed by forgery, arson, murder, government bureaucracy and the occasionally overzealous aid of his beautiful assistant, Flavia di Stefano, and British art historian Jonathan Argyll. Art historian Pears ( The Discovery of Painting ) provides one twist too many in his first novel, but presumably as this projected series continues his grasp of the genre will grow surer. His command of the intricacies of Italian life, art history and the licit and illicit trade in masterworks needs no improvement: although not all artists or organizations mentioned are real, none are improbable. Qua mystery, The Raphael Affair is very good; as cultural explication, it is superlative.
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Library Journal

Thrills and excitement enter this first novel when a British art dealer discovers a Raphael portrait. After an astounding auction, the painting finds its way to a national museum in Rome, where its acquisition solidifies the director's reputation. Taddeo Bottando and his favorite assistant Flavia, both of the national art theft squad, become suspicious when a vagrant art student's story of fraud and the jottings of a famous forger come to their attention. Clever research, museum politics, and foreign setting add to the story's interest, especially for those who enjoy art and art history.
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 240 pages
• Publisher: Berkley (November 1, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0425166139
• ISBN-13: 978-0425166130
• Product Dimensions: 6.6 x 4.2 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (33 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,149,921 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

30 of 30 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars The first Jonathan Argyll mystery, August 10, 2002

By 

alexliamw (New Haven, CT) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Raphael Affair (Art History Mystery) (Mass Market Paperback)

This is the first book by Iain Pears, a writer that was later to go on to write 6 more in the same series, plus the internationally acclaimed epic 'An Instance of the Fingerpost' and most recently 'The Dream of Scipio'. It is a bold beginning, though by no means his best. It introduces us to two characters that over the course of the 7 books we are to become very familiar with: English art critic Jonathan Argyll and Italian Flavia Di Stefano, from the art crime squad.

In a book that is charming in its detailed view of Italy and its excellent balance of thrilling crime writing and an intellectual knowledge of art, Pears writes a page-turner which bode well for what was to be an even better series. It is interesting, thrilling and well wrapped up. Well worth a read.

18 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good Start to a Series, February 25, 2003

By 

Richard A. Mitchell "Rick Mitchell" (candia, new hampshire United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Raphael Affair (Art History Mystery) (Mass Market Paperback)

After reading "An Instance of a Fingerpost" I knew Pears was a very good writer, so I went for this first in a series. I was not disappointed.

There are three elements of this novel I found strong. First, the three main characters. They are likeable with endearing foibles. Argyll is a loveable bumbling genius type; Flavia the beautiful, smart, action person who isn't quite as smart as she thinks she is; and the General, the affable smarter-than-he-looks detail man. I look forward to joining them in future escapades.

Second, I found the mystery to be a good one. There were good twists and turns and the final twist was a dandy. There are no superheroes here which I think always enhances a mystery.

Third, the cultural aspect. I enjoy a novel, whether a mystery or otherwise, that resides in an area of knowledge obviously known to the author but different from my experiences. It is obvious that Mr. Pears knows art and the art world (including the criminal aspects). He uses this expertise to enhance the plot and add depth to it without "showing off" and making the reader feel like a dunce.

This was a thoroughly enjoyable mystery placed in the middle of the art world. I will continue on this series - joyfully.

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars The Raphael Affair, August 24, 2004

By 

jake - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Raphael Affair (Art History Mystery) (Mass Market Paperback)

I actually read Pears' Art History Mysteries out of sequence. But I find each of them beguiling and a quick read. This introduces the key characters, Jonathan Argyll, a tweady English Art Dealer and Flavia di Stefano of the Rome Art Theft Squad. There are few more charming pairings in recent mystery literature.

I notice that many readers come to Pears via 'An Instance of the fingerpost' or his latest,'The Dream of Scipio' and are somewhat disappointed because of the lack of depth. I would suggest that like his countryman, Grahame Greene, Pears is fully capable of serious, thought-provoking novels; and yet harbors a great affection for genre novels - in this case mysteries.

Pears' erudite depiction of the intricacies of art forgery are delivered with the kind of delicious drollery that makes an afternoon disappear quickly and magically if you leave your misconceptions behind. This is good beach or airplane reading and you won't feel disgusted afterward.