Giotto's Hand - SPOILER Thread - (Jonathan Argyll #5) (April/May 24)

[Susan]

Welcome to our April/May 24 buddy read of Giotto’s Hand first published in 1994 and the fifth in the Jonathan Argyll Series.

General Bottando of Rome's Art Theft Squad is in trouble: his theory that a single master criminal, dubbed 'Giotto', is behind a string of major art thefts has aroused the scorn of his arch enemy and rival, the bureaucrat Corrado Argan. He needs a result, and the confession of a dying woman may just provide the vital clue. In pursuit of the elusive Giotto, Bottando's colleague, Flavia di Stefano, sets off hotfoot for Florence, and English art dealer Jonathan Argyll is dispatched to London and then on to rural Norfolk...only to discover a body and a mystery which could lead to the greatest art find of his career...

Please feel free to post spoilers in this thread.

[Sandy]

I really enjoyed this. I "suspected" the murderer / thief but mostly because she was such a major character and so very pleasant. Argyll's struggles with his conscience and wavering over decisions endear him to me. His parting gift to the widow was generous.

Loved the meeting with the boss shaming his rival!

[Frances]

I'm also continuing to enjoy this series, as you say Sandy the culprit was suspicious because of her likeability and obvious time spent on the continent (how else could an English woman have learned to cook properly :) ). I was less satisfied with the ending-why would Argyll give up the chance, if not for fortune, at least to establish his reputation as an art researcher and discoverer-how he traced the lineage of the Leonardo was pretty interesting and intelligent! Also, even if he didn't want to profit hugely, he could have at least secured a sizeable commission and bought a nice flat in Rome for him and Flavia.

I do like the travel aspect of these books-the 90's seemed such a simpler time for cross-continent travel-and the glimpse into the art world of the time.

[Frances]

It looks like there are only 2 books left in the series, the last one written in 2000, so I assume that's it. Anyone know/heard otherwise?

[Rosina]

Frances wrote: "It looks like there are only 2 books left in the series, the last one written in 2000, so I assume that's it. Anyone know/heard otherwise?"

There haven't been any more - the author having gone on to write other books, some of which are very good, although which is a matter of personal opinion! My favourite is .

[Sarah]

I read "An Instance of the Fingerpost," written between the last two Argyll books, and didn't like it much. But I'm willing to give the others a try.
As for "Giotto's Hand," Forster waxed and waned between charming seducer and criminal mastermind, hard to believe in either. He never developed as a completely formed character for me.

[Frances]

Sarah wrote: "I read "An Instance of the Fingerpost," written between the last two Argyll books, and didn't like it much. But I'm willing to give the others a try.
As for "Giotto's Hand," Forster waxed and wane..."

I couldn't finish An Instance of the Fingerpost and it is absolutely something I should have loved-history, mystery, medicine-but might also try something else at some point-I'm sure I have The Dream of Scipio on my bookshelf somewhere, just need to find the time!