The Bernini Bust (Art History Mystery)

I love this author. Wish he had written more books in this series. The Bernini Bust has everything I enjoy in a book: mystery, art, and humor. A fun read.

After reading The Instance of the Fingerpost, pretty close to being a masterpiece, I was disappointed with the mystery series. He gets a little better as he progresses but, generally speaking, they're pretty boring except for the art details and the Roman way of life. However if he's as inaccurate about Rome as he is about America, I might have to revise that opinion.My real reason for writing this is to vent about English writers who feature Americans in their novels. Deliver me. Can't someone tell them or their publishers that they need an American advisor to keep them from looking like complete dolts?? This applies to every single English novel I have ever read, featuring Americans, and, believe me, I have read tons of them. Someone please tell them that people in all walks of life, in America, do not say, "I reckon" on a regular basis. To a man (or woman) they always make American characters talk like they just stepped out of Hopalong Cassidy movies from the '50's. And to top it off, they do it very smugly as if they really have it down. If only there was someone I could complain to. Or to whom I could complain, as the case may be.Meanwhile, the books are readable, if there's nothing better or you happen to be in the mood. But "Fingerpost" is far, far superior to the mysteries.

Third in the series, this mystery finds Jonathan Argyll, art historian and dealer, far from home and his love Flavia di Stefano, detective in Rome's Art Theft Squad. In Los Angeles to deliver a painting to a museum founded by a rich businessman, Jonathan is a fish out of water. When the museum founder is murdered, Jonathan can't help but mettle and becomes not only a sleuth but also a target. To the rescue comes Flavia and together they delve into the murky professional and personal lives of those connected to the museum murder (which becomes murders). Delightful twists and turns as the Jonathan and Flavia visit ego drenched Los Angeles. Highly recommended for mystery readers who like a peek behind the scenes of the art world.

One reason to read this series is to experience the ways of Rome, Venice, Paris or London while picking up some art history. Setting this novel in the Munchkinland of Southern California is disappointing.

I enjoy the mix of art in complex theft, fraud and murder. Enjoyable.

I found this book decidedly less appealing than other books in this series. There wasn't a satisfactory resolution or even a non-resolution that I could enjoy.

This is a typical art dealer Jonathan Argyll/art cop Flavia di Stefano outing: a convoluted who-done-it with touches of droll British humor and a dash of romance. Enjoyable and entertaining.

Love this series by Iain Pears. Well written and always interesting. Lots of historical info, I lean a lot. Thanks Amazon for having all of these.

Having read one of Ian Pears's 'big' books ('The Dream of Scipio') I decided to have a go at a Jonathan Argyle detective story, and I'm very glad I did. 'The Bernini Bust' has an engaging hero (Argyle), an enjoyable ambience (Los Angeles mostly, but a bit of Italy also), an intriguing and unusual plotline and a witty, amusing style which is intelligent without ever taking itself too seriously. It also ends extremely well. I enjoyed it a lot and was frustrated when, halfway through, I dropped it in the bath and had to leave it for a day to dry out (if it is of interest, the quality of the paper is good enough for that to work, but not dropping it in the bath is preferable). Highly recommended.

Disappointing book having enjoyed other books in this series

I enjoyed the story. Being a fan of the Jonathan Argyll series I was pleased to see the book arrive in the condition it was described and ahead of the expected delivery date.

I read this after having enjoyed his "An Instance of the Fingerpost" but it was not as interesting.

For those of you who watch the BBC, this is the literary equivalent of 'Death in Paradise': undemanding and gently humorous in an escapist setting with a contrived climax. Thoroughly enjoyable though.