At first, Jean Suttman thought she had died and gone to Heaven when she was granted the opportunity to study in Rome. But the body that's lying ... read full description
reviews
Sep 07, 2011
Lady
rated it: 
Yet again, and rather surprisingly, Elizabeth Peters has disappointed me. Now, I will admit that I did listen to this as an audiobook and so some of my dislike may be attributed to my utter distain for the narrator (the name is NOT pronouned Jack-Qwill-In! And how on earth do you substitute an upper-crust British accent for one that changes every line. It starts out as more of an Irish brogue, then heads into Cockney territory and at one point it sounded distinctly Austrailian!), but everything
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Jan 28, 2012
Carolyn F.
rated it: 
Audiobook. I have the cassettes, not the CDs.
I can't believe I'm categorizing this as a period piece since I was alive then but it is written in the 1970s and so does have dialogue from that time period, "Right on" and calling cops the "Fuzz". As was alive during that time period, I can safely say so one in my impoverished, crime riddled neighborhood in the Bay Area of California called the police the "Fuzz". So, I'm thinking at the time she wrote t More...
I can't believe I'm categorizing this as a period piece since I was alive then but it is written in the 1970s and so does have dialogue from that time period, "Right on" and calling cops the "Fuzz". As was alive during that time period, I can safely say so one in my impoverished, crime riddled neighborhood in the Bay Area of California called the police the "Fuzz". So, I'm thinking at the time she wrote t More...
Apr 16, 2011
Robin
rated it:
The plot and a couple of the characters stood out as real people but Jacqueline Kirby, this series' sleuth was not one of them. I was most of the time repelled by her. She's a little like the Wizard of Oz bringing things to the final solution, and occasionally being maternally protective with not an iota of grace about her, but we never get a peak behind the curtain except that she is free of obligations and her apparent goal is to fully indulge her freedom in any way that entertains her, and wi
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Apr 11, 2009
Robin
rated it:
This was an enjoyable read, although I didn't like it as much as the first Elizabeth Peters mystery I read a week or so ago, The Murders of Richard III. I'm glad I read that first, as my impression of the author was initially better than it would have been if I'd read this one first.
I'm excited to have found a new mystery author with a plethora of books for me to dip into.
On a random note: I read of a 119 pound girl being described in this book as "chubby," alt More...
I'm excited to have found a new mystery author with a plethora of books for me to dip into.
On a random note: I read of a 119 pound girl being described in this book as "chubby," alt More...
Nov 15, 2008
Eric_W
rated it: 
For some bizarre reason, I have ignored the many books of Elizabeth Peters despite consistently favorable reader reviews. Stupid move, because I really enjoyed this one, written several years ago and reissued. I listened to it on my Audible player while traveling, and it was a very enjoyable 6 hours. Apparently, Peters has become known for her Amelia Peabody series, Amelia being known for an acerbic wit and getting herself into and out of difficulties. Jacqueline Kirby must be a forerunner of Pe
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Aug 30, 2008
Jeff
rated it:
Can I just say that I have read a LOT of Elizabeth Peters books and I have loved every one of them. I think that the part I like the most about her books are her characters. The main characters are all eccentric academic types that happen to solve mysteries for a hobby. The women are all strong willed, intelligent, and hopelessly fearless. At least they never allow their fear to rule them. The interaction of the characters is always entertaining and you really get into the their dialog. I
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Jan 29, 2012
Kevin
rated it:
I liked this first Jacqueline Kirby novel better then the first Amelia Peabody book, the plot was better and also thought the main character was more interesting and mysterious. This series is nowhere near as popular however with only four novels against 19 volumes for Peabody.
But rather comparing it to other of Peter's series it most reminded me of Dan Brown's Robert Langdon series but with a more realistic plot and better writing.
But rather comparing it to other of Peter's series it most reminded me of Dan Brown's Robert Langdon series but with a more realistic plot and better writing.
Aug 17, 2011
Jacqueline Kirby is a librarian working/visiting Rome. She gets involved with a group of students and their deadly games. As a librarian, I am a fan of books that paint us as both omniscient and sexy. Plus, I want to own Jacqueline's purse with its every-ready supply of everything. A solid mystery that introduces the reader to a fun amateur sleuth who appears in other works. --Rebekka
Apr 30, 2010
Sonya
rated it:
This one was not as good as Peter's Amelia Peabody stories. One of the main characters, Jacqueline, was strange and the narrator was not the best choice for the story. However, the setting of ancient Rome gave it the historical/archaeological feel that Peters tends to have in her stories. Also, the idea of the main characters as modern scholars studying various aspects of the ancient city was interesting, but I felt that the listener/reader would have understood the ending of the story better
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Aug 20, 2011
Finished this on the plane trip returning from visiting bookpatch - a pretty good read - one of Elizabeth Peter's books not featuring Amelia Peabody. I liked how she pokes fun at mystery writers a little bit in this. Thought the ending was a bit confusing but I was a little sleepy so maybe it was me!
Aug 18, 2009
Rebecca
rated it: 
Yes, another Elizabeth Peter's series. This one is the first in the Jacqueline Kirby mystery series. Jacqueline is a querky American librarian who falls into hillarious mysteries. How could you not adore her adventures???
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Nov 18, 2009
Heather
rated it:
I love the female protaganists in Peters's books, no matter how dated the books may be. She has not written as many books with the Kirby character found in this book but she's one of my favorites.
Nov 27, 2011
The narrator of theis audio book is by far the worst I have ever encountered.
* She attempts an "upper class English accent" for one character that sounds much closer to an Irish brogue.
* Her inflections are dreadful --- you're an audiobook narrator; read ahead a bit to see what your tone should be at a given time.
* The story is set in Rome. Take the time to learn to pronounce the locales and some Italian words and phrases, at least. It's the Via VEN e to, not More...
* She attempts an "upper class English accent" for one character that sounds much closer to an Irish brogue.
* Her inflections are dreadful --- you're an audiobook narrator; read ahead a bit to see what your tone should be at a given time.
* The story is set in Rome. Take the time to learn to pronounce the locales and some Italian words and phrases, at least. It's the Via VEN e to, not More...
May 23, 2010
Katy
rated it:
I read this book because I am fascinated with Rome, and I am intrigued with the Temple of Mithra. The temple issue in this book wasn't that great, but I did like the mystery!
Aug 26, 2009
Katie
rated it: 
Had high expectations after the Amelia Peabody series... but I hated this one. The characters were tedious, and I wasn't surprised at the ending.
Feb 23, 2010
Emily
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hoped to like this more since i love Peters' Vickie Bliss series, but just couldn't get into it and found it to be kind of silly.
Apr 13, 2009
Trish
rated it:
First of the Jacqueline Kirby series, of which I've read the first three. Different in feel to the Amelia Peabody ones, but also enjoyable.
Jan 24, 2012
Leslie
rated it:
Not one of her best, but enjoyable enough, and just for the fact that it introduces the redoubtable Jacqueline Kirby, I'm giving it an extra star.
May 01, 2010
Chalise
rated it:
It was a fun read but not the best Elizabeth Peters...But I adore her quirky characters:)
Aug 16, 2010
Julie
rated it:
A light, easy murder mystery with a little too much hidden to be as much fun as it could have been.
May 20, 2011
Deborah
rated it:
I liked Peter's Amelia Peabody series but I was less than impressed with Jacqueline Kirby.
Wordy and drawn out and the mystery wasn't even that interesting.
I'll pass on the rest of the series.
Wordy and drawn out and the mystery wasn't even that interesting.
I'll pass on the rest of the series.
Mar 30, 2011
Spider
rated it:
It was groovy revisiting the 70's when seemingly innocuous hippies seemed so radical.
Jan 16, 2012
Catherine
rated it:
Not a bad mystery. I love her writing vocabulary. I didn't guess the ending, which is always makes it more fun.
Sep 20, 2010
Laurie
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I am sure many reading this are aware of my undying love for Elizabeth Peters, but this book was a disappointment. The characters were flat -- even Jaqueline Kirby who I enjoyed in a later book and the mystery was not engaging. I am going to keep trying Peters' other series, but I think it will be hard for her other work to live up to Amelia Peabody.
Mar 02, 2008
Lisa
rated it:
Oh, I love Elizabeth Peter's/Mertz/Michael's books.So I picked this one up from my bag of thrift store finds to read at my parents' house this weekend (when I needed an escape). So far, so good. Two likeable heroines. The only thing is that Mysterious Press made several annoying typos like name misspellings. C'mon. How hard can that be? Anyhow, the story is interesting, and Peters has her usual witty and strong women characters I'd like to know.
Jan 11, 2010
Lucy
rated it:
The first of EP's series featuring Jacqueline Kirby, librarian/sleuth. This one is not her best, but I loved The Murders of Richard III and also Die for Love, if only because it takes place at a romance writers' conference (great place for intrigue and murder).
Jul 10, 2008
Stacia
rated it:
This is part of her Jacqueline Kirby series. I have only read one so far but it is great. Can't wait to pick up the next one. I will be working on this series and her Amelia Peabody series. I plan to read everything Elizabeth Peters has written.
Nov 06, 2007
Maggie
rated it:
Ah, the first Jacqueline Kirby mystery. This main character has become my hero. This book is thrilling, funny and intelligent. I re-read it and the 3 others with this character at least once a year.
