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The Vatican Cameos: A Sherlock Holmes Adventure
When the papal apartments are burgled in 1901, Sherlock Holmes is summoned to Rome by Pope Leo XII. After learning from the pontiff that several priceless cameos that could prove compromising to the church, and perhaps determine the future of the newly unified Italy, have been stolen, Holmes is asked to recover them. In a parallel story, Michelangelo, the toast of Rome in 1501 after the unveiling of his Pieta, is commissioned by Pope Alexander VI, the last of the Borgia pontiffs, with creating the cameos that will bedevil Holmes and the papacy four centuries later. For fans of Conan Doyle's immortal detective, the game is always afoot. However, the great detective has never encountered an adversary quite like the one with whom he crosses swords in "The Vatican Cameos.."
- GenresMysteryFictionHistorical
312 pages, Paperback
First published November 7, 2016
15 people are currently reading
477 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 53 reviews
March 26, 2018
I’m very pleased and humbled to announce that The Vatican Cameos has been selected as the winner of Novel of the Year — readers Choice Award by the Underground Book Reviews.
October 18, 2016
The Vatican Cameos: A Sherlock Holmes Adventure
Vatican Cameos: A Sherlock Holmes Adventure
Written By Richard T. Ryan
Genre: Mystery, Suspense, Fiction
I was pleasantly surprised on how much I enjoyed this book. I have always enjoyed Sherlock Holmes but will be honest have never read one of his stories. I am very happy that I took a chance on this book.
First, I actually got the audible version of this book and I have to say, the Narrator Nigel Peever was AMAZING! I have heard some audible books that I just had to return but Mr. Peever kept me enthralled through the entire story.
Mr. Ryan did an excellent job telling two parallel stories in two different time periods. In the time of 1901 Mr. Holmes was asked by the current Pope to retrieve some cameos that have gone missing, and in 1501 Michelangelo was creating the cameos that Mr. Holmes will try to find 400 years later. I enjoyed the changing of the time periods, I never once had an issue of following along. The Story was very well written and flowed very well together. Mr. Ryan pieced these stories with amazing skill and I would HIGHLY recommend you to check it out.
I will say that there are some graphic scenes in the later chapters (30-32 I believe) But as it pertained to the story, I didn’t feel that they were out of place. Great Job Mr. Ryan! I look forward to reading more books written by him!
Vatican Cameos: A Sherlock Holmes Adventure
Written By Richard T. Ryan
Genre: Mystery, Suspense, Fiction
I was pleasantly surprised on how much I enjoyed this book. I have always enjoyed Sherlock Holmes but will be honest have never read one of his stories. I am very happy that I took a chance on this book.
First, I actually got the audible version of this book and I have to say, the Narrator Nigel Peever was AMAZING! I have heard some audible books that I just had to return but Mr. Peever kept me enthralled through the entire story.
Mr. Ryan did an excellent job telling two parallel stories in two different time periods. In the time of 1901 Mr. Holmes was asked by the current Pope to retrieve some cameos that have gone missing, and in 1501 Michelangelo was creating the cameos that Mr. Holmes will try to find 400 years later. I enjoyed the changing of the time periods, I never once had an issue of following along. The Story was very well written and flowed very well together. Mr. Ryan pieced these stories with amazing skill and I would HIGHLY recommend you to check it out.
I will say that there are some graphic scenes in the later chapters (30-32 I believe) But as it pertained to the story, I didn’t feel that they were out of place. Great Job Mr. Ryan! I look forward to reading more books written by him!
June 26, 2017
There are a number of authors who have embraced Sherlock Holmes as their main character. One of them is Richard T. Ryan, who has brought Holmes to life in The Vatican Cameos. All of the key elements of a Holmes story are evident, including his acute powers of observation, his ability to use disguises and his pure logic. He is also up against an opponent as diabolical as Moriarty.
Holmes is approached by Cardinal Oreglia on behalf of Pope Leo to investigate the theft of several cameos that were created by Michelangelo. The cameos were commissioned by Pope Alexander to depict members of the Curia representing sins of the flesh. They could cause an embarrassment to the church if revealed and are being used to blackmail the pope.
Ryan alternates chapters of Holmes 1901 investigation with those of Michelangelo's creation of the cameos in 1501. His commission introduces him to the Borgia family and the politics within the church provide threats to his livelihood.
For any fan of Holmes or historical mysteries, this story will keep you entertained and looking forward to Ryan's next mystery.
Holmes is approached by Cardinal Oreglia on behalf of Pope Leo to investigate the theft of several cameos that were created by Michelangelo. The cameos were commissioned by Pope Alexander to depict members of the Curia representing sins of the flesh. They could cause an embarrassment to the church if revealed and are being used to blackmail the pope.
Ryan alternates chapters of Holmes 1901 investigation with those of Michelangelo's creation of the cameos in 1501. His commission introduces him to the Borgia family and the politics within the church provide threats to his livelihood.
For any fan of Holmes or historical mysteries, this story will keep you entertained and looking forward to Ryan's next mystery.
May 30, 2017
The Vatican Cameos is like having two stories in one book. We go back and forth from 1501 and 1901. The author created such a well developed story that you will not feel lost jumping through the years.
I personally love Sherlock Holmes and his adventures. So this book fulfilled all my expectations! The storyline was very intriguing and interesting. Character development was great. Lots of historical info included.
This is a must read for Sherlock Holmes fans. An excellent 5 star book!
I personally love Sherlock Holmes and his adventures. So this book fulfilled all my expectations! The storyline was very intriguing and interesting. Character development was great. Lots of historical info included.
This is a must read for Sherlock Holmes fans. An excellent 5 star book!
March 4, 2017
Reviewed by Michelle Stanley for Readers' Favorite
The Vatican Cameos: A Sherlock Holmes Adventure is a historical mystery by Richard T. Ryan. In 1501, Michelangelo is commissioned by the pope to create cameos of specific cardinals portraying the seven deadly sins they commit. Michelangelo becomes a pawn in a scandalous religious game among members of the Holy Order.
In 1901, Pope Leo XII hires Sherlock Holmes to retrieve the precious cameos that were stolen from the papal apartments. The thief gives the pope an ultimatum, which he is reluctant to agree to, but the cameos will cause the Vatican embarrassment if they are shown to the public. Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson find themselves playing cat and mouse with a crafty thief who knows how the game is played, but so does detective Holmes.
The Vatican Cameos: A Sherlock Holmes Adventure is a historical mystery I found intriguing and thought-provoking. “Practice what you preach,” is a phrase many cardinals did not observe and Richard T. Ryan’s vivid descriptions of their activities make this cleverly written story engaging and witty. It is also somewhat similar to certain incidents that have occurred in modern society.
There are sections in the novel that are based on historical facts, such as “The Ballet of Chestnuts,” and the characters of Cardinals Medici and Rovere existed. I have more appreciation for Michelangelo’s art as I learned more about his talents as an artist and sculptor while reading. Sherlock Holmes is another character who made this book more fascinating and I highly recommend it.
The Vatican Cameos: A Sherlock Holmes Adventure is a historical mystery by Richard T. Ryan. In 1501, Michelangelo is commissioned by the pope to create cameos of specific cardinals portraying the seven deadly sins they commit. Michelangelo becomes a pawn in a scandalous religious game among members of the Holy Order.
In 1901, Pope Leo XII hires Sherlock Holmes to retrieve the precious cameos that were stolen from the papal apartments. The thief gives the pope an ultimatum, which he is reluctant to agree to, but the cameos will cause the Vatican embarrassment if they are shown to the public. Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson find themselves playing cat and mouse with a crafty thief who knows how the game is played, but so does detective Holmes.
The Vatican Cameos: A Sherlock Holmes Adventure is a historical mystery I found intriguing and thought-provoking. “Practice what you preach,” is a phrase many cardinals did not observe and Richard T. Ryan’s vivid descriptions of their activities make this cleverly written story engaging and witty. It is also somewhat similar to certain incidents that have occurred in modern society.
There are sections in the novel that are based on historical facts, such as “The Ballet of Chestnuts,” and the characters of Cardinals Medici and Rovere existed. I have more appreciation for Michelangelo’s art as I learned more about his talents as an artist and sculptor while reading. Sherlock Holmes is another character who made this book more fascinating and I highly recommend it.
August 16, 2016
I don't usually enjoy pastiches. This one hooked me from the first page to the very last. Parallel stories of Michelangelo's commission by the last Borgia pope in 1501 and Holmes's involvement in 1901 were exciting and fast paced. The historical research was on the money. I highly recommend this book.
November 21, 2016
I really enjoyed reading this book. The plot and characters are interesting and well developed. The story is told along two timelines in alternating chapters - this makes the book move at a good pace and keeps you wanting to read more. I was not a Sherlock reader prior to reading The Vatican Cameos, but the author has me now looking forward to reading more Sherlock stories. A great read!
April 14, 2017
Pope Leo is robbed of the Vatican cameos, Papal secret miniatures, created by Michelangelo. Only one man is capable of retrieving them: Sherlock Holmes
Introduction
The year is 1901, the place is Rome. Pope Leo has a problem that could bring shame upon the Catholic Church. Seven cameos, created by Michelangelo in deepest secret, have been stolen from the papal apartments. No one is supposed to have known of the existence of these cameos because their existence is a secret passed down to each Pope. To what purpose has the thief taken the cameos? Time for the Pope to call in the great detective Sherlock Holmes and his sidekick Dr Watson.
Storyline
Pope Leo is in despair as he can imagine the shame exposing the secret cameos will bring to the Catholic Church. Michaelangelo’s cameos have that capability (how and why we do not know) and the Pope fears that they will be used to the detriment of the Church in some way. Whatever the outcome, it will not be good and that is why the Pope knows there is only one man he can trust to solve this delicate case: Sherlock Holmes. When you ask Sherlock Holmes to investigate, of course, Doctor Watson comes along and the both of them travel to Rome. Holmes soon figures out that this is no ordinary thief as the Vatican cameos were so secret, that nobody but the Pope knows of their existence. He knows there must have been inside help but, before he can go any further with his investigation, a blackmail letter is delivered to the pope and thus, in the words of Sherlock Holmes, a “burglary has just become a case of blackmail.”
To learn more about the Vatican cameos and its creator, we have to go back 400 years to the year 1501. That is when Pope Alexander, who had “bribed his way to the papacy” according to Michelangelo, reigns. And now he has called for Michaelangelo. The latter knows he has to tread carefully because the Pope is renowned for punishing those he thinks are his foes and whereas the Pope’s daughter Lucrezia is very charming, her brother Cesare has an extremely suspicious mind. What makes matters worse is that Cardinal della Rovere, the Pope to be in his own eyes, wants Michaelangelo to keep him informed. The commission to make the 7 cameos is secret and dubious given their content. Follow this story entwining the fascinating developments and Michaelangelo’s ingenious creation of the seven cameos in 1501, and the adventures of Sherlock Holmes and Dr Watson in 1901 Rome on their (also) secret mission for another Pope.
My Thoughts
As a huge detective fan addicted to Dame Agatha Christie’s and Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s creations, it was only a matter of time before I would feel compelled to read and review Richard Ryan’s The Vatican Cameos. Love it! The combination of Michelangelo’s (1501) and Sherlock Holmes (1901) era, the facts of history interwoven into the plot making it plausible to imagine Pope Alexander having requested Michaelangelo due to his famous interests in the arts. This Pope also restored the Castell Sant’ Angelo, which features in this book. The literary mystery novel is excellently written and the entwining of Michelangelo’s struggle to stay alive in the chess game between Pope Alexander and Cardinal della Rovere, as well as Holmes’ investigations which have to be kept secret to avoid embarrassment for Pope Leo is very cunningly crafted. The writing style is entertaining and a pleasure to read. A must-read for all fans of Sherlock Holmes!
Read the review on my website: https://www.bitsaboutbooks.net/vatica...
Introduction
The year is 1901, the place is Rome. Pope Leo has a problem that could bring shame upon the Catholic Church. Seven cameos, created by Michelangelo in deepest secret, have been stolen from the papal apartments. No one is supposed to have known of the existence of these cameos because their existence is a secret passed down to each Pope. To what purpose has the thief taken the cameos? Time for the Pope to call in the great detective Sherlock Holmes and his sidekick Dr Watson.
Storyline
Pope Leo is in despair as he can imagine the shame exposing the secret cameos will bring to the Catholic Church. Michaelangelo’s cameos have that capability (how and why we do not know) and the Pope fears that they will be used to the detriment of the Church in some way. Whatever the outcome, it will not be good and that is why the Pope knows there is only one man he can trust to solve this delicate case: Sherlock Holmes. When you ask Sherlock Holmes to investigate, of course, Doctor Watson comes along and the both of them travel to Rome. Holmes soon figures out that this is no ordinary thief as the Vatican cameos were so secret, that nobody but the Pope knows of their existence. He knows there must have been inside help but, before he can go any further with his investigation, a blackmail letter is delivered to the pope and thus, in the words of Sherlock Holmes, a “burglary has just become a case of blackmail.”
To learn more about the Vatican cameos and its creator, we have to go back 400 years to the year 1501. That is when Pope Alexander, who had “bribed his way to the papacy” according to Michelangelo, reigns. And now he has called for Michaelangelo. The latter knows he has to tread carefully because the Pope is renowned for punishing those he thinks are his foes and whereas the Pope’s daughter Lucrezia is very charming, her brother Cesare has an extremely suspicious mind. What makes matters worse is that Cardinal della Rovere, the Pope to be in his own eyes, wants Michaelangelo to keep him informed. The commission to make the 7 cameos is secret and dubious given their content. Follow this story entwining the fascinating developments and Michaelangelo’s ingenious creation of the seven cameos in 1501, and the adventures of Sherlock Holmes and Dr Watson in 1901 Rome on their (also) secret mission for another Pope.
My Thoughts
As a huge detective fan addicted to Dame Agatha Christie’s and Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s creations, it was only a matter of time before I would feel compelled to read and review Richard Ryan’s The Vatican Cameos. Love it! The combination of Michelangelo’s (1501) and Sherlock Holmes (1901) era, the facts of history interwoven into the plot making it plausible to imagine Pope Alexander having requested Michaelangelo due to his famous interests in the arts. This Pope also restored the Castell Sant’ Angelo, which features in this book. The literary mystery novel is excellently written and the entwining of Michelangelo’s struggle to stay alive in the chess game between Pope Alexander and Cardinal della Rovere, as well as Holmes’ investigations which have to be kept secret to avoid embarrassment for Pope Leo is very cunningly crafted. The writing style is entertaining and a pleasure to read. A must-read for all fans of Sherlock Holmes!
Read the review on my website: https://www.bitsaboutbooks.net/vatica...
February 5, 2019
***4.5 stars***
I was utterly impressed when I found out from the author that The Vatican Cameos was his first Sherlock Holmes pastiche! It is a brilliantly written story with all the Sherlockian vibe and mystery that will definitely appeal to both new and seasoned fans of Sherlock Holmes!
1901: When the precious collection of seven cameos have been stolen, Cardinal Gaetano Oreglia seeks Holmes' expertise to retrieve them. These cameos were handcrafted by Michelangelo in 1501 where each of the cameos is crafted to depict a member of the Curia engaging in one of the Seven Deadly Sins. Thus, they could potentially harm the church. So off, both Holmes and Watson travel to Rome to solve this mystery which involves a well-known artist from 400 years ago.
This is an absolutely brilliant plot! Narrated back and forth between two timelines: 1901 - Holmes and Watson solving the mystery in Rome; and 1501 - how Michelangelo ended up handcrafted these cameos. I really enjoyed the part about the origins of the cameos. I think the story is really clever and readers will discover why these cameos still have such a pernicious effect on the church 400 years later.
A writer's talent in storytelling is usually evidenced in how engaging the book is. Truth be told, I struggled to put this book down! It was highly entertaining and the suspenseful writing got me hooked right from the beginning. This is just one heart-pounding, non-stop adventure! Albeit fast-paced, the storytelling is mellifluous and consistent.
However, I must admit that I did feel a little overwhelmed with the abundance of information on church history. It took me a little work to remember who's who but I appreciate Ryan's effort in doing such a thorough research. It is a blend of fact and fiction story and I once again learned a lot from reading this book.
Overall, The Vatican Cameos is a Sherlock Holmes adventure that you do not want to miss out! I enjoyed the compelling plot which is not only replete with twists but historical information as well. It is one absorbing and wonderful read!
***I received a complimentary digital copy of this book from Richard T. Ryan and MX Publishing in exchange for an honest review. All views expressed in this review are my own and was not influenced by the author, publisher or any third party.***
I was utterly impressed when I found out from the author that The Vatican Cameos was his first Sherlock Holmes pastiche! It is a brilliantly written story with all the Sherlockian vibe and mystery that will definitely appeal to both new and seasoned fans of Sherlock Holmes!
1901: When the precious collection of seven cameos have been stolen, Cardinal Gaetano Oreglia seeks Holmes' expertise to retrieve them. These cameos were handcrafted by Michelangelo in 1501 where each of the cameos is crafted to depict a member of the Curia engaging in one of the Seven Deadly Sins. Thus, they could potentially harm the church. So off, both Holmes and Watson travel to Rome to solve this mystery which involves a well-known artist from 400 years ago.
This is an absolutely brilliant plot! Narrated back and forth between two timelines: 1901 - Holmes and Watson solving the mystery in Rome; and 1501 - how Michelangelo ended up handcrafted these cameos. I really enjoyed the part about the origins of the cameos. I think the story is really clever and readers will discover why these cameos still have such a pernicious effect on the church 400 years later.
A writer's talent in storytelling is usually evidenced in how engaging the book is. Truth be told, I struggled to put this book down! It was highly entertaining and the suspenseful writing got me hooked right from the beginning. This is just one heart-pounding, non-stop adventure! Albeit fast-paced, the storytelling is mellifluous and consistent.
However, I must admit that I did feel a little overwhelmed with the abundance of information on church history. It took me a little work to remember who's who but I appreciate Ryan's effort in doing such a thorough research. It is a blend of fact and fiction story and I once again learned a lot from reading this book.
Overall, The Vatican Cameos is a Sherlock Holmes adventure that you do not want to miss out! I enjoyed the compelling plot which is not only replete with twists but historical information as well. It is one absorbing and wonderful read!
***I received a complimentary digital copy of this book from Richard T. Ryan and MX Publishing in exchange for an honest review. All views expressed in this review are my own and was not influenced by the author, publisher or any third party.***
February 17, 2019
I love the historical aspect of this book. It includes two eras: 1501 Rome and 1901 Rome. With mystery and adventure in each era, the author weaves us through a tangled web of intrigue and secrecy. The detailed descriptions brings the reader to a time, long ago, when Michelangelo lived and corruption was rampant. How will Michelangelo fulfill the Pope's request and continue living? In 1901 Sherlock has to find a solution to the Popes problem, find the cameos made by Michelangelo, while meeting danger at every turn.
Well written, well researched. This fast paced book will keep you at the edge of your seat until you read the last word on the page. So, put the kettle on, sit back, and enjoy the book!
Well written, well researched. This fast paced book will keep you at the edge of your seat until you read the last word on the page. So, put the kettle on, sit back, and enjoy the book!
May 3, 2021
When Holmes is called on a matter of importance to a meeting with the pope in 1901, it is quickly deduced that history from 4 centuries ago affects his newest case. The author does a fantastic job of keeping the reader intrigued by alternating timelines in each chapter. The essence of Sherlock Holmes & Dr. Watson remains true to the Sir Arthur Conan Doyle creations. The historic names, locations, descriptions are accurate (except those which are specifically fictional for the story) and I was transported to the locations each time.
If you like Sherlock Holmes, or just a good detective story, this one is for you.
If you like Sherlock Holmes, or just a good detective story, this one is for you.
December 2, 2019
Superb story and narration. The author has a unique way of bringing out the talent, the skill, the unique mind that Is Sherlock. He has brought two time period together, when they were created in 1501. to the thief in 1901. To be summoned by the Pope what an honor for Holmes, the thief of priceless cameos. A story that can be read over and over a treasure of telling us how Holmes works. Given ARC audio for my voluntary review and my honest opinion
August 22, 2021
I loved this book ! It was beautifully written and very engaging . The format kept me thoroughly intrigued … and I don’t usually read mystery books . I highly recommend this book .. specially if you like history !
December 7, 2017
Great Sherlock Holmes adventure. Author catches the tone of Holmes and Watson very well. Looking forward to reading the next Holmes adventure.
March 29, 2018
Excellent and enjoyable. Great combination of mystery and history.
November 7, 2023
Enjoyed the parallel timelines ,fun and interesting.
June 19, 2018
I just read this Sherlock novel, thanks to author Rich Ryan. It is set in alternating timelines, 1501 & 1901. Sherlock & John are summoned by the pope to recover some stolen cameos, which were supposed to be a secret, carved by Michelangelo on papal commission—hence the 2nd story line. A 3rd narrative line threw me a bit, but this was a great story and obviously well-researched. I recommend to Sherlock Holmes fans and lovers of historical fiction.
October 2, 2016
Richard Ryan channels Dan Brown as well as Conan Doyle in this successful novel. In alternating chapters, he combines an historical thriller with a Sherlock Holmes pastiche. Holmes and Watson must recover a stolen set of cameos (sculpted by Michelangelo in the story’s other timeline) before they can undermine the political independence of the Papacy. Having studied medieval literature at Notre Dame, Mr. Ryan knows his church history, whether it occurred in 1901 or 1501. He offers unexpectedly attractive portraits of the Borgia Family: Pope Alexander VI and his notorious offspring, Cesare and Lucrezia. Other Renaissance luminaries (Leonardo, Machiavelli, Savonarola, and two future popes) fill in the political and artistic landscape. A warning: some of the Michelangelo chapters are more sexually explicit than readers of Holmes tales usually encounter.
Mr. Ryan is almost equally proficient in writing his actual pastiche. He provides a well-constructed plot and sound deductions by our hero, a likable Pope Leo as the client, and a villain whose motives partly mitigate his nasty personality. Atypically, Holmes even condescends to apprise the Pontiff of his plans, although Watson annoyingly withholds them from the reader. The doctor is otherwise a bit more of a cipher than I like to see. Stylistically, the novel’s occasional modernisms seem more noticeable in Holmes’ day than in Michelangelo’s. A minor distraction—not attributable to Mr. Ryan—is a printing format that (in my pre-publication copy) often combines two characters’ dialogue within a single paragraph.
None of these quibbles detracts seriously from this well-researched and well-told story. The Vatican Cameos is a promising addition in the Sherlockian corpus, and I look forward to reading Mr. Ryan's next book. Happily for us, it is already under way.
Mr. Ryan is almost equally proficient in writing his actual pastiche. He provides a well-constructed plot and sound deductions by our hero, a likable Pope Leo as the client, and a villain whose motives partly mitigate his nasty personality. Atypically, Holmes even condescends to apprise the Pontiff of his plans, although Watson annoyingly withholds them from the reader. The doctor is otherwise a bit more of a cipher than I like to see. Stylistically, the novel’s occasional modernisms seem more noticeable in Holmes’ day than in Michelangelo’s. A minor distraction—not attributable to Mr. Ryan—is a printing format that (in my pre-publication copy) often combines two characters’ dialogue within a single paragraph.
None of these quibbles detracts seriously from this well-researched and well-told story. The Vatican Cameos is a promising addition in the Sherlockian corpus, and I look forward to reading Mr. Ryan's next book. Happily for us, it is already under way.
November 11, 2016
The Vatican Cameos had me enthralled from the first chapter. The story telling, attention to detail, character development and level of suspense was on target and kept me wanting to see what was around the next corner. The approach to the story telling and alternating between the timelines shows a wonderful history of how the cameos came to be and the level of their importance. Not having been a Sherlockian has me wanting to join the club thanks to the author!
December 11, 2016
If you love the Sherlock Holmes mysteries you will not be disappointed with The Vatican Cameos. Once you pick it up you will finish/devour it. True to every nuance of the consulting detective you can actually see and hear your favorite screen Holmes and Watson as you make your way alongside the duo in the story. Is there a knighthood afoot for Mr. Ryan?
November 19, 2016
Great book, I enjoyed the dual intrigues. I found myself caring about the characters. It is a book I didn't want to put down, and looked forward to picking up to continue the read. Suspenseful, some nice twists. One can't ask much more from any book. Good Job
October 18, 2016
Great job by the author on this Sherlock mystery novel. Couldn't put it down
March 9, 2021
What’s not to like about a Sherlock Holmes mystery. He is a genius detective and uses his keen powers of observation to unravel the deepest of mysteries. When he is presented a problem to solve, he is like a blood hound on a scent and never stops until he has found his quarry. The author has highlighted this and many other talents of Holmes in this wonderful tale of cat and mouse.
When a group of cameos, carved by the famous Michelangelo, is stolen from the Vatican, the Pope sends a courier to Bakers Street in London to employ Holmes to recover them. It is stressed to Holmes that this is a delicate matter and he must tell no one about the robbery because the cameos have been hidden for 400 years. They were carved to represent the seven deadly sins and images of members of the Curia at that time were used. If the public were to know of these cameos, it could cause a scandal that would shake the foundations of the church.
One of the things I liked about this book is that the story felt different. I liked that the setting was not England and that it involved a religious artifact. The author was very imaginative and I appreciated that he took a well known and loved character and brought him to life and gave him an interesting challenge.
I also loved all the historical information in the book. There were little tidbits I enjoyed, such as the origin of the saying, “Don’t buy a pig in a poke.” To the historical information about the two time periods in which the story takes place.
The pace of the book was excellent and I loved how I was pulled into both the 1901 world of Holmes but also the 1501 world of Michelangelo. The author moved the story seamlessly through both time periods and weaved intrigue into both. I was totally hooked from the start and read it in only two days.
Here is another example of wanting half stars for ratings. If I could I would give this book a 4.5 rating. Since I listened to the audio, and I had to take into account both the narration and story into my score, I choose four stars as my overall score (I reserve a five for books I loved and could read again). All in all, it is an enjoyable read and I recommend it to all lovers of Holmes mysteries and mysteries in general.
The narration was good. I liked the tonal quality and the speaking voice of the narrator. I appreciated that he tried to capture the essence of each character. One very small negative thing was the laugh, it did not always fit all the characters and by the end got on my nerves. I know it is kind of being nitpicky but I would have preferred no laughter. I give the narration 4 stars.
I received a free audio version of this book from the publisher in exchange for my honest opinion. For more of my reviews, and author interviews, see my blog at www.thespineview.com.
When a group of cameos, carved by the famous Michelangelo, is stolen from the Vatican, the Pope sends a courier to Bakers Street in London to employ Holmes to recover them. It is stressed to Holmes that this is a delicate matter and he must tell no one about the robbery because the cameos have been hidden for 400 years. They were carved to represent the seven deadly sins and images of members of the Curia at that time were used. If the public were to know of these cameos, it could cause a scandal that would shake the foundations of the church.
One of the things I liked about this book is that the story felt different. I liked that the setting was not England and that it involved a religious artifact. The author was very imaginative and I appreciated that he took a well known and loved character and brought him to life and gave him an interesting challenge.
I also loved all the historical information in the book. There were little tidbits I enjoyed, such as the origin of the saying, “Don’t buy a pig in a poke.” To the historical information about the two time periods in which the story takes place.
The pace of the book was excellent and I loved how I was pulled into both the 1901 world of Holmes but also the 1501 world of Michelangelo. The author moved the story seamlessly through both time periods and weaved intrigue into both. I was totally hooked from the start and read it in only two days.
Here is another example of wanting half stars for ratings. If I could I would give this book a 4.5 rating. Since I listened to the audio, and I had to take into account both the narration and story into my score, I choose four stars as my overall score (I reserve a five for books I loved and could read again). All in all, it is an enjoyable read and I recommend it to all lovers of Holmes mysteries and mysteries in general.
The narration was good. I liked the tonal quality and the speaking voice of the narrator. I appreciated that he tried to capture the essence of each character. One very small negative thing was the laugh, it did not always fit all the characters and by the end got on my nerves. I know it is kind of being nitpicky but I would have preferred no laughter. I give the narration 4 stars.
I received a free audio version of this book from the publisher in exchange for my honest opinion. For more of my reviews, and author interviews, see my blog at www.thespineview.com.
January 30, 2020
Who doesn't love Sherlock Holmes? Did you know there is a publishing company that publishes Sherlockian (I just made that word up) writings? MX Publishing exclusively publishes works centered around the legendary detective. I think that's pretty cool. What would Arthur Conan Doyle think of the myriad television show, movies, books, even a Sherlock Holmes tartan should you desire to dress like him? This brings me to the reason for this post, the book, The Vatican Cameos.
The Plot: As the title implies the plot centers around a collection of cameos, stolen from the Vatican in an effort to blackmail the pope. Narrated by Dr. John Watson, Holmes' companion and sidekick, the detective must find the cameos and unmask the blackmailer. But that's only half the story. The chapters alternate between the years 1901, when the theft occurred and 1501, the year the artist Michelangelo is commissioned to make the fictitious cameos for another pope, Rodrigo de Borja, Pope Alexander VI. The story flip flops between the two each building to a satisfying conclusion.
The Characters: It's been a long while since I've read one of the original Holmes books, but as I dived into the story, it certainly seemed to ring true. Holmes is quirky and Watson steady. The Pope makes for a believable victim and the bad guy is just the right side of despicable. The Michelangelo chapters are brimming with Borias, including Lucrezia, Leonardo da Vinci, and lots of naughty clerics.
The History: Normally, I wouldn't include history in a mystery book review, but because historical fiction plays such a huge role in this book, I had too. I really enjoyed the historical chapters. As a catholic, I am pretty familiar with the history of the church, so some of the goings-ons did not surprise me, but I found them fascinating all the same. I enjoyed reading about Michelangelo and his fellow artists, the city of Rome and the tidbits about Savonarola, the fanatical friar.
see my website for the full review. https://www.thebookdelight.com/2020/0...
The Plot: As the title implies the plot centers around a collection of cameos, stolen from the Vatican in an effort to blackmail the pope. Narrated by Dr. John Watson, Holmes' companion and sidekick, the detective must find the cameos and unmask the blackmailer. But that's only half the story. The chapters alternate between the years 1901, when the theft occurred and 1501, the year the artist Michelangelo is commissioned to make the fictitious cameos for another pope, Rodrigo de Borja, Pope Alexander VI. The story flip flops between the two each building to a satisfying conclusion.
The Characters: It's been a long while since I've read one of the original Holmes books, but as I dived into the story, it certainly seemed to ring true. Holmes is quirky and Watson steady. The Pope makes for a believable victim and the bad guy is just the right side of despicable. The Michelangelo chapters are brimming with Borias, including Lucrezia, Leonardo da Vinci, and lots of naughty clerics.
The History: Normally, I wouldn't include history in a mystery book review, but because historical fiction plays such a huge role in this book, I had too. I really enjoyed the historical chapters. As a catholic, I am pretty familiar with the history of the church, so some of the goings-ons did not surprise me, but I found them fascinating all the same. I enjoyed reading about Michelangelo and his fellow artists, the city of Rome and the tidbits about Savonarola, the fanatical friar.
see my website for the full review. https://www.thebookdelight.com/2020/0...
October 16, 2017
I received this book from the author in return for an honest review. This in no way influences my opinion.
This book follows two stories and the chapters alternate between each story. The first story takes place in 1901, where Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson are asked by Pope Leo to retrieve the cameos that were stolen and will cause embarrassment to the church if they are to get out into the public. The second story takes place in 1501, where Michelangelo is asked to create cameos for Pope Alexander. The same cameos that Holmes is later asked to search for, 400 years later.
I quite enjoyed the Sherlock part of the story but I found the Michelangelo parts to be boring and hard for me to push through. I will admit that I have never read a Sherlock story before. I am only familiar with the movie adaptations starring Robert Downey Jr. and I really love those movies. This reads more like a historical fiction rather than a mystery in my opinion. I am no history buff so maybe that's why I did not enjoy the book as much.
I think that this book was well written but it wasn't my style. There were also quite a few errors that I'm surprised got past editing but nevertheless, if you are a fan of Sherlock Holmes AND historical fiction, then I would recommend this book to you. Keep in mind there is adult content.
This book follows two stories and the chapters alternate between each story. The first story takes place in 1901, where Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson are asked by Pope Leo to retrieve the cameos that were stolen and will cause embarrassment to the church if they are to get out into the public. The second story takes place in 1501, where Michelangelo is asked to create cameos for Pope Alexander. The same cameos that Holmes is later asked to search for, 400 years later.
I quite enjoyed the Sherlock part of the story but I found the Michelangelo parts to be boring and hard for me to push through. I will admit that I have never read a Sherlock story before. I am only familiar with the movie adaptations starring Robert Downey Jr. and I really love those movies. This reads more like a historical fiction rather than a mystery in my opinion. I am no history buff so maybe that's why I did not enjoy the book as much.
I think that this book was well written but it wasn't my style. There were also quite a few errors that I'm surprised got past editing but nevertheless, if you are a fan of Sherlock Holmes AND historical fiction, then I would recommend this book to you. Keep in mind there is adult content.
December 21, 2019
Intriguing Concept, Overlong in its Telling
In The Vatican Cameos, Richard Ryan has written two parallel stories. The first, featuring Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson, takes place in 1901 when Pope Leo XII calls Homes and Watson to the Vatican to solve a recent burglary from the Papal apartments. The second is set in 1501’s Rome at a time when Michelangelo was commissioned by the last of the Borgia popes to design and create seven cameos that were later hidden from public view and, of course, where the objects stolen in the 1901 burglary.
Nigel Peever does a good job of narration. I do have one small quibble with the narration, though. Mr. Peever adroitly employs tonal inflections to distinguish characters in various situations. Because I tend to listen to audiobooks most often on buses and in subway cars, many of the words spoken in a lower volume were lost against the background noises of the transport. Occasionally the high pitched laughter that characterized Holmes was jarring in those same environments.
In The Vatican Cameos, Richard Ryan has written two parallel stories. The first, featuring Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson, takes place in 1901 when Pope Leo XII calls Homes and Watson to the Vatican to solve a recent burglary from the Papal apartments. The second is set in 1501’s Rome at a time when Michelangelo was commissioned by the last of the Borgia popes to design and create seven cameos that were later hidden from public view and, of course, where the objects stolen in the 1901 burglary.
Nigel Peever does a good job of narration. I do have one small quibble with the narration, though. Mr. Peever adroitly employs tonal inflections to distinguish characters in various situations. Because I tend to listen to audiobooks most often on buses and in subway cars, many of the words spoken in a lower volume were lost against the background noises of the transport. Occasionally the high pitched laughter that characterized Holmes was jarring in those same environments.
January 9, 2020
I received this book for free. I am voluntarily posting this review and all opinions expressed herein are my own.
This story is told in alternating chapters depicting events occurring in 1901 and 1501. In 1501, Michealangelo is commissioned to create cameos for the Pope - even Leonardo DaVinci makes an appearance. In 1901, Sherlock and Watson work to find those cameos. This was very interesting. I enjoyed the fictionalized historical story of the cameos slightly more than Sherlock's story but I was entertained by both. I think the author captured the personalities of Holmes and Watson and their methodology in solving a mystery. I'm looking forward to the rest of the series.
The narration by Nigel Peever was overall very good. I have listened to other books narrated by him and loved them. But here, oddly, a small distraction to his narration occurred every time a character would laugh - they all had the same odd maniacal laugh [almost slightly evil cartoon laugh]. It threw me every time I heard it.
This story is told in alternating chapters depicting events occurring in 1901 and 1501. In 1501, Michealangelo is commissioned to create cameos for the Pope - even Leonardo DaVinci makes an appearance. In 1901, Sherlock and Watson work to find those cameos. This was very interesting. I enjoyed the fictionalized historical story of the cameos slightly more than Sherlock's story but I was entertained by both. I think the author captured the personalities of Holmes and Watson and their methodology in solving a mystery. I'm looking forward to the rest of the series.
The narration by Nigel Peever was overall very good. I have listened to other books narrated by him and loved them. But here, oddly, a small distraction to his narration occurred every time a character would laugh - they all had the same odd maniacal laugh [almost slightly evil cartoon laugh]. It threw me every time I heard it.
May 13, 2020
Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson travel to the Vatican at the request of the pope to find some cameos that had been made in secret by Michelangelo at the wish of the pope in the 1500's. I'll say that I liked this book, but I was not enamored with it. The electronic kindle version I had was not proofread very well, and there were a number of mechanical issues; it was difficult to know who was speaking at times because the quotation marks were improperly used throughout. The book also moved back and forth between 1501 and 1901, giving us a detailed backstory on why Michelangelo was commissioned to create the cameos, and this back and forth gets very annoying at times and while meant to create more suspense, the end result is that creates more annoyance. These two criticisms detracted from the overall enjoyment of the story. The author, Richard Ryan, is historically accurate in places but takes liberty in other places (which he admits to in the end), but overall the book could have used more polish in both mechanics and story.
January 5, 2017
In his novel, The Vatican Cameos: A Sherlock Holmes Adventure, author Richard T. Ryan weaves a magnificent Sherlockian tale of mystery, intrigue, and adventure. The result is spellbinding. The writer catches the readers attention from the very beginning, and holds it all the way through to its gripping conclusion. His style of switching between the 16th and 20th century makes for a compelling read.
The novel offers great insight into the history of the 16th century Vatican, along with the talents of artist, Michelangelo di Lodovico Buonarroti Simoni.
The attention to detail throughout the book, along with its dramatic climax make this read informative, enlightening, and interesting.
I highly recommend the Vatican Cameos, and look forward to the next work by Richard T. Ryan.
The novel offers great insight into the history of the 16th century Vatican, along with the talents of artist, Michelangelo di Lodovico Buonarroti Simoni.
The attention to detail throughout the book, along with its dramatic climax make this read informative, enlightening, and interesting.
I highly recommend the Vatican Cameos, and look forward to the next work by Richard T. Ryan.
May 31, 2017
Richard T. Ryan’s The Vatican Cameos is a wonderful contribution to the Sherlock Holmes canon. The cameos, commissioned by the infamous Borgia Pope, Alexander VI, and created by 16th century genius, Michelangelo, go missing at the height of debate in Italy about the temporal power of the papacy.
The story deftly alternates between the 16th and early twentieth century, drawing upon Ryan’s deep appreciation and understanding of the history and politics of these two turbulent eras.
Corruption and extortion are nothing new. But by allowing Michelangelo and Holmes to tell this story, we come to appreciate the very human compulsion to seek out truth in art and life.
I can’t wait to read Ryan’s next story!
The story deftly alternates between the 16th and early twentieth century, drawing upon Ryan’s deep appreciation and understanding of the history and politics of these two turbulent eras.
Corruption and extortion are nothing new. But by allowing Michelangelo and Holmes to tell this story, we come to appreciate the very human compulsion to seek out truth in art and life.
I can’t wait to read Ryan’s next story!
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