A Glancing Light

The Chris Norgren Mysteries #2

by Aaron Elkins

Mild-mannered and law-abiding, Chris Norgren, curator of Renaissance and Baroque Art at the Seattle Art Museum, is an unlikely undercover investigator, but when a priceless Rubens portrait is discovered in a shipment of "authentic reproductions" in a local warehouse, Chris is pressed into service to find out how it got there.

The quest leads him to the medieval city of Bologna, one of his favorite places, but all too soon what might have been a welcome Italian interlude turns into a bizarre journey into shady art world doings and murderous secrets….

Genres: Mystery, Fiction, Art, Italy, Cozy Mystery, Science Fiction, Art History

230 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1991

About the author

Aaron J. Elkins, AKA Aaron Elkins (born Brooklyn July 24, 1935) is an American mystery writer. He is best known for his series of novels featuring forensic anthropologist Gideon Oliver—the 'skeleton detective'. The fourth Oliver book, Old Bones, received the 1988 Edgar Award for Best Novel. As Oliver is a world-renowned authority, he travels around the world and each book is set in a different and often exotic locale.

In another series, the protagonist is museum curator Chris Norgren, an expert in Northern Renaissance art.

One of his stand-alone thrillers, Loot deals with art stolen by the Nazis and introduces protagonist Dr. Benjamin Revere.

With his wife, Charlotte Elkins, he has also co-written a series of golf mysteries about LPGA member Lee Ofsted. They shared an Agatha Award for their short story "Nice Gorilla".

Aaron and Charlotte live on the Olympic Peninsula in Washington State.

Japanese: アーロン エルキンズ

Series:
* Lee Ofsted (with Charlotte Elkins)

Series contributed to:
* Malice Domestic

Reviews

[A. Bowdoin Van Riper]

Aaron Elkins’ mystery novels are efficiently plotted, capably written, and populated by amiable amateur-detective heroes and eccentric supporting characters. Their central puzzles are competently constructed, and competently resolved, with clues that hang together and murderers whose motivations, when revealed, make sense. All of which is to say that Elkins writes solid, middle-of-the-road whodunits that give good value for the money, but seldom rock the reader’s world. What sets Elkins apart from scores of other journeyman mystery writers, and (I suspect) keeps his work in print, is the way he writes about expertise.

Elkins’ lead characters – anthropologist Gideon Oliver, art historian Chris Norgren, golfer Lee Ofsted – may be amateurs at detection, but they’re consummate pros at their “real” jobs, with national or even (in Oliver’s case) international reputations in their fields. Their expertise isn’t just a pretext for getting them involved in mysteries, but central to resolving them, and Elkins – who clearly knows a lot about their fields himself – does a superb job of weaving inside dope into the stories and educating readers as he entertains them. His competent-but-unspectacular handling of plot and character serve him well, in this respect, functioning as a framework for the inside dope without distracting from it, or making it feel like a distraction, the way it might in a more elaborately plotted or emotionally intense story.

How much you enjoy an Elkins novel likely has a great deal to do with how interested you are in the subject where the hero’s expertise lies. If the inside dope fails to fascinate, you’re left with a competent but unremarkable whodunit indistinguishable from scores of others. I hit that point about eight books into the Gideon Oliver series (where the subject was forensic anthropology), but only half-a-book into the Chris Norgren series (where the subject was European art). The details of art history, and staging a traveling exhibition, were as deftly presented as ever, but they didn’t grab and hold my attention enough to keep me reading past the midpoint of an essentially routine mystery.

Your mileage – here, even more than in most matters of literary taste – may vary, though. If art (or Italian cooking, a running subtheme in the book) fascinates you, rest assured that – in A Deceptive Clarity, and doubtless in Norgren’s other two adventures – Elkins is a expert teacher and a knowledgeable guide.

[Jillian · Rating 2 out of 5]

I could not get it into my head that the narrator and protagonist was a man. Except in the scenes in the last parts of the book, with his girlfriend, my brain conjured a woman. I can’t pinpoint why this was so. I have really enjoyed the Elkin’s archaeology series. This one disappointed.

I had no empathy for Chris Norgren, nor the other characters. I did not care what happened to them. A shame.

[Sallie · Rating 3 out of 5]

You know going in to these books that someone or maybe many someones are gunning for good ole Chris. I wondered what happened to his new love, Anne, and it took til page 102 or so to find out. I keep reading to see who is trying to kill him in this book, and how he manages to survive after all.

[Nancy C · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked the first in the Elkins (Chris Norgren) series considerably better, but this book was still a worthwhile read. Will read #3, but only after a hiatus back to Silva’s Gabriel Allon series. Who ever gets tired of a great Israeli spy novel?

[Richard · Rating 4 out of 5]

An excellent book. It moves quickly - but not so fast that you can't keep up. What appear to be inconsistencies at the beginning turn out to have perfectly reasonable and valid (and, more importantly, meaningful) explanations as things progress. There is no sudden plot exposition giving you information that you didn't have (but needed to make sense of it all). The characters are believable.

The only issue I have is that the hero ends up being involved in so many things - but the author makes it work.

[Betsy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Decent mystery. It reminded me of Ian Pears books that are also about the Italian art police.

[Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

In The Glancing Light Norgren is now working a a Seattle Art Gallery in the same capacity as a curator of Renaissance and Baroque art. A very valuable Ruben's portrait is found mixed in with a shipment of "authentic reproductions. ' After Chris examines the painting and finds that it is the real thing, he is given a job following up the transaction to see how such a thing could have happened

This quest takes him to the beautiful city of Bologna, which happens to be a place he has visited before and looks forward to seeing it again. The theme is interesting and once again the argument comes up about what is art.

For my part I would be happy to see any of these paintings, in the origin; or as a forgery.

The way I get to see a bit deeper into the art world is by series such as these which bring me tremendous pleasure. With Google images by my side at all times via my Ipad I get vicarious trips to exotic locations and beautiful museums.

[Kay · Rating 4 out of 5]

There's something seductive about expertise, especially in an area like Renaissance art. The guy who knows immediately whether a Van Eyck is a forgery always fascinates me; this is probably similar to what gets high ratings for Antiques Road Show. And in this book, the expert is a Seattle museum curator who travels to Bologna, Italy to arrange the loan of some paintings for a traveling exhibition of Renaissance art by non-Italian artists who were inspired by sojourns in Northern Italy. Having just returned from a trip to that area myself, I was captivated by "A Glancing Light." The plot and characters are excellent, but the best part is the description of Italian meals and artworks. It ends with our hero on his way by train to Stresa, on Lake Maggiore, drinking some of the local wine as he goes. Va bene!

[Carole Sullivan · Rating 2 out of 5]

This series is not for me

Had to skip to the end. Round and round the art dealers of Italy. Our protagonist Chris is too cute. I guess this Elkins series is quite popular, but I'll stick with one's he writes with his wife.

[Susan · Rating 1 out of 5]

I think readers come to have expectations of authors based on the themes of the series as well as previous work. So, you would not expect a book that has art history as its main theme, even if it is a murder mystery, to contain extreme brutality described in careful detail. A disappointment!

[Karen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Love those art history mysteries!

[Lucille · Rating 5 out of 5]

Best of the lot- so far!

I loved all three of the Chris Norgren mysteries. (Of the three, this volume has been myfavorite!)This entire series of three has been my favorite read in some time, perhaps because I have simply tired of my usual forensic, medical and science based mysteries. Lately I have been reading a great deal of nonfiction material about art and the art scene today and these may have sharpened my interest in these tales which have appeared reasonably well researched. Each has presented an interesting segment of the criminal world impinging on the current art market in one fashion or another from forgery to outright theft by unsuspected sources! Much of the action occurs abroad adding another interesting element to the stories. Elkins clearly has drawn a likable main character in Chris Norgren, even adding a distant love interest. His secondary characters are also well drawn so you feel as though you can recognize them if you were to meet on the street, pointing out unlikely friendships as well as hard to believe behavior twists. In this tale the leading Italian police authority provides may interesting contrasts in his actions ranging from a bumbling cop to high ranking, polished and effective policeman.
I very much look forward to Elkins continuing this series, though I admit I have enjoyed the Gideon series of forensic anthropology novels as well!!!

[madrano]

Chris Norgren, a curator at the Seattle Art Museum, flies to Italy to firm up plans for a traveling exhibit he has been planning, titled, “Northerners in Italy”. Along the way he is swept up in the hunt for thieves, who stole a Rubens and other works in three almost simultaneous hauls--worth $100 million.

Chris, an expert on craquelure (or crackling in paint), which helps confirm the age of paintings, is a somewhat humorous, observant character who is at sea in the world of art theft. Readers learn along with him. While telling the story, facts about art, painters and thievery are shared. Then there are bits about Italian architecture, seafood and even airport security.

Told to report to the head of the carabinieri's art theft unit, Chris meets the narrow-shouldered Antuoni, who seems to him to be simply an officious file clerk, rather than an astute detective. The Italian informs Chris he doesn’t know why he was told to report to him. And so the mysteries increase.

Well into the book, we learn of his meager personal life. In the first, we learn his wife left him after ten years or so. This time we learn of a new woman, a career military officer. This is a small part of the story but confirmed questions i had about Chris’s self-esteem.

This is the second in a planned three part series. I look forward to reading the final installment.

[Blaine DeSantis · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cannot figure our why I am so blah about this book. It has everything that I love. Art thefts, setting in Italy, unique Italian towns used in book since it features Bologna, Ferrara and Catania in Sicily, and pretty tight plot and an interesting twist as to the art thefts. And yet, I struggled to read this book at a rate of any more than one or two chapters per sitting - and it is not that the chapters are lengthy. For some reason the book just did not flow for me. As I mentioned, an interesting art theft plot that is partially solved by Seattle Art Museum expert Chris Norgren, Norgren is involved in the resolution but we also have a love interest that intrudes in the book and which basically adds nothing to the plot or resolution. It is a good book, nothing great. Would really rate it only a 2**, but added a star because of the unique Italian settings and the twist on the art theft.

[Jody Crowley · Rating 4 out of 5]

The strength of an Aaron Elkins mystery is his use of deep dive expertise. In the Chris Norgren mysteries, the expertise is about Vermeer-era painting and art forgery. A glancing light refers to the distinctive characteristics of the various Dutch masters. That's fun, especially since I enjoy that period of Eurpean art. Of course, Norgren keeps getting involved with murder enmeshed with valuable and irreplaceable paintings. The expertise is interesting. The mystery is standard, with the usual coincidences and foolish actions that put our hero in jeopardy. Elkins heroes are also enmeshed in relationships with women who are infinitely patient at being stood up whenever needed by the plot. I enjoyed the expertise and will probably continue to read Elkins novels to inccrease my supply of trivia points.

[Gail Sacharski · Rating 4 out of 5]

Some authors are a delight to read, like getting together with an old friend, & Aaron Elkins is one of them. I love his Gideon Oliver series & devour each book. I've only read a couple of his other series/books, but have enjoyed them, too. His characters are down-to-earth, interesting, have great humor, & are intelligent, yet have a sense of wonder about the world & people in it. Chris Norgren is an art curator for a museum in Seattle. He unwittingly becomes involved in hunting down stolen masterpieces while in Bologna procuring paintings for an exhibition. The information on the art, the descriptions of Italy (I was especially interested, having visited Bologna), the intricacies of the thefts, all made for a wonderful story that I finished in a day & enjoyed very much.

[Suzi · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this series and wish there were more than three. I'm interested in art, art museums, forgery, theft, fraud, Italian art. Elkins covers it all in a clear, interesting, not overbearing, way. The stories are sweet and the food high brow and low brow. I will read the bones series and the golf series, because they are such comforting books to sink into when my feet hurt and my mind's abuzz from current political turmoil. But the art mysteries are my first and best love. Thanks, Aaron Elkins.

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting how Goodread reviewers differ on a book. I like reading about art--I like Fake or Fortune on BBC with its tales of art forgeries or finds. I thought this book was exciting enough--even some violence. I may be a bit confused yet as to how the crimes took place and just who was to blame. I liked Chris Norgren and his admission that he doesn't always "read" people's characters well. I like the romance and hope it flourishes. I will read more in the series.

[Nadine Pool · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed the Chris Norgren series. It’s something I picked up on a whim but enjoyed the first so much I picked up the other two when I saw them. I unknowingly read them out of order but it didn’t matter there are each good. Diving into the art world was new to me. And the various ways art can be tangled up in a mystery was unusual and fun.

[Patty Gaugler · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like Chris. I read all 3 in the series one after the other because I liked him. He doesn't make me cringe, he tries to get along with people, he likes almost everyone. What a refreshing idea. The story line is good, I love art and enjoy reading about an art expert. Thanks for some good books!

[Patricia Damato · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love this series!

This group of books is about art and mystery which are two of my favorite subjects and throw in some fun and you have a great time reading. Thank you Aaron Elkins , bring me more .

[Carol Berkman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent mystery/adventure story

This book was my first Elkins but won't be my last. It includes decent writing, some mystery, some adventure and some humor, plus some art history. I look forward to more from this author.

[Randall McCauley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Painting and art are required

For the most part I enjoyed the book. However my poor knowledge of old paintings and painters put me at a big disadvantage. And knowledge of Italy and the Italian language would have helped. At the same time it was enjoyable reading.

[Liz V. · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars

The exposition on new and ingenious ways in which art theft and fraud are committed is interesting, but the to-stupid-to-live characteristic of Norgren wears thin.

[Jocelyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Entertaining but not gripping. I enjoyed the characters and the world of art curators, collectors, and thieves, but there were so many suspects that I didn't even try to solve the mystery.

[Dorota · Rating 4 out of 5]

Didnt expect to enjoy it as much as I did. Another fun light read.

[Lynn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Listened to this and the production was very good. Interesting mystery and terrific setting.

I've really enjoyed both of these mysteries and wish it were a longer running series!

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun series. Art historian who has a few issues.

[Cyndi Berve]

Bologna, art, good food & a fun art mystery.

[A G A VAN DEN BOS · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not as clever and witty as the Gideon series. Loquacious in content.