Customer Reviews

The Rich and the Profane

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

After the last two books by Jonathan Gash digging into the seamier side of London, and the sex trade, with his new heroine, he has graced us with new Lovejoy mystery. Some of his entourage is missing, no Tinker, and no new trainee, but he does succeed in making smiles, stealing antiques, breaking and entering, and impersonating a rock star. You never know what to expect from Lovejoy and he does not disappoint. Just when you think you figured it all out, a surprise ending. One of his best books in years, you will enjoy it.

Irma hires antiques expert Lovejoy to teach her how to swipe a necklace. Though reluctant to be her tutor, Lovejoy cannot resist helping the beautiful young woman even if the jewelry she wants to steal is vulgar trash. However, she is caught trying to abscond with a Rottingham fake jug.

Irma's entry into Lovejoy's life opens the door for her wealthy Aunt, Mrs. Crucifex, and her uncle Reverend George Metivier to enter Lovejoy's life. All George wants from the scoundrel is his assistance in selling the Albansham priory "manufactured antiques". Instead of working with pale imitations, Lovejoy soon finds himself searching for a missing associate, a valuable painting, and George even as he struggles to simply stay alive.

Fans of the Lovejoy series know why the novels are always bestsellers. Anyone who has not read one of the books until this one, THE RICH AND THE PROFANE, will quickly learn why these tales are such fan favorites. The twentieth story is as fresh as the first book. Lovejoy remains a joy, loved by his myriad of fans. The story line is an entertaining mystery, but Lovejoy thankfully still occupies the prime seat. Jonathan Gash is heading back to the top of the lists again.

Harriet Klausner

I'd have to agree, this book wasn't as good as his previous Lovejoy ones. I'd say this one and the previous one 'Possessions of a Lady' are more of a "borrow" than a "buy". I hope #21 does pick up. I still reread his previous ones (esp. 'The Tartan Sell' my all time favorite).

Easily the worst in the Lovejoy series. I've read them all, and half of them twice. Although there are some charming sections, and a brand new setting to explore, Gash's Lovejoy largely rehashes his philosophy without adding anything new. I'd felt that I had read it all before, and better said in earlier versions. In fact, I was shocked to learn that he was continuing the series after such a lackluster performance--though I was greatly pleased because I love the character and the stories. So, I'll buy the new one and chalk this up to being one mistake in twenty

The Isle of Guernsey is where Lovejoy finds himself this time. This is one of the best Lovejoy novels for awhile. I was finding them a bit disjointed and frenetic before, but in this one Gash gets back to the basics - a big con, Lovejoy in trouble, a friend's disappearance and of course women. Lovejoy finds himself rubbing shoulders with some rich females in this book, and it gets him in nothing but trouble. He wonders why trouble follows him around so much when all he wants to do is live his own life, and divy and work with antiques. In this outing Lovejoy has a hard time figuring out who are the good guys and who are the bad guys, and he finds himself looking at death a couple of times before he figures it out. The book is fast-paced and not so easy to figure out. We muddle along just as the loveable Lovejoy does.