The Bernini Bust- SPOILER Thread - (Jonathan Argyll #3) (Sept/Oct 23)

[Susan]

Welcome to our Sept/Oct 23 buddy read of The Bernini Bust This is the third book in the Jonathan Argyll series first published in 1992.

Witty art-history mystery from the author of the best-selling literary masterpiece, An Instance of the Fingerpost. British art historian Jonathan Argyll has just sold a minor Titian to an American museum for a highly inflated price. But as he complacently awaits his cheque in the Californian sunshine, trouble erupts: the museum's billionaire owner is murdered, a dubious art dealer disappears, and a Bernini bust, apparently smuggled out of Italy, is missing. Things could hardly be worse, and the situation calls for assistance from his friends General Bottando and Flavia di Stefano of the Italian National Art Theft Squad...especially as things do get worse -- the killer's attention turns to Jonathan himself. Cleverly mixing murder with art, The Bernini Bust is a witty and intriguing mystery from the bestselling author of An Instance of the Fingerpost.

Please feel free to post spoilers in this thread.

[Rosina]

I am half-way through my umpteenth re-read of this, and looking forward to the discussion.

[Frances]

I've just finished this one and found it a fun and amusing mystery which kind of cheats by having two separate crimes-the murder and the art fraud-overlap enough to fool us and the detectives. Jonathan Argyll and his bumbling diffidence is starting to grate a bit, as was Flavia's grumpiness and their combined inability to sort out their relationship without a nudge from her boss. Here's hoping that, now that they have figured themselves out, in future adventures we will see them working together as a couple.

[Rosina]

I enjoyed it (again), and I rather like the romantic blindness of Flavia and Jonathan. I admire the way that Pears has kept the romantic story slow - (view spoiler)[it continues to be gradual over the rest of the series (hide spoiler)]. If he had gone at the usual pace, he would have to dispose of one of them (possibly by fridging) in order to introduce new love interest.

[Sandy]

I quite like the personalities of both lead characters and will be happy for them to continue their low-key romance.

I thought the California setting, and especially the author's and Jonathan opinion of CA, added a twist to the book. Interesting plot with the two intertwined crimes. Maybe even three, I you count the theft of undescribed artwork in Italy.

[Judy]

I've finished this now and for me it was the best so far as I found the plot a bit easier to follow this time. I also enjoyed the low-key romance.

[Rosina]

I admired Flavia's technique - both in investigating (lie if necessary ...) and blackmailing the museum to give Jonathan an income.

[Judy]

Yes, I enjoyed Flavia's determination in ensuring that Jonathan doesn't lose out over the Titian.