Death and Restoration

Jonathan Argyll #6

by Iain Pears

General Bottando can't believe his rotten luck. He has just been promoted--to a position that's heavy on bureaucratic duties-but disturbingly light on investigative responsibilities. As if that wasn't annoying enough, he's received a tip about a planned raid at a nearby monastery. He's relying on his colleague Flavia di Stefano and her art-expert fiancé, Jonathan Argyll, to thwart the plot-but both are beyond baffled. The only valuable item in the monastery's art collection is a supposed Caravaggio that's currently being restored. There are no solid suspects-unless you count the endearing art thief, the flagrantly flamboyant "Rottweiler of Restoration," and the strangely shady icon expert. And there's really no reason to cause an unholy uproar-until someone commits an unconscionable crime...

Genres: Mystery, Fiction, Art, Crime, Italy, Mystery Thriller, Novels

310 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1996

About the author

Iain Pears is an English art historian, novelist and journalist. He was educated at Warwick School, Warwick, Wadham College and Wolfson College, Oxford. Before writing, he worked as a reporter for the BBC, Channel 4 (UK) and ZDF (Germany) and correspondent for Reuters from 1982 to 1990 in Italy, France, UK and US. In 1987 he became a Getty Fellow in the Arts and Humanities at Yale University. His well-known novel series features Jonathan Argyll, art historian, though international fame first arrived with his best selling book An Instance of the Fingerpost (1998), which was translated into several languages. Pears currently lives with his wife and children in Oxford.

Reviews

[Hana · Rating 4 out of 5]

The restoration of great works of art is a delicate and often controversial task. I'm one of those with mixed feelings about some recent restorations. Leonardo's masterpiece, The Virgin and Child with St. Anne is a case in point. Here's the before:



And after, being photographed at the Louvre:



Naturally, I love this mystery in which controversial restoration plays a central role. Dan Menzies, dubbed by his enemies the Rottweiler of Restoration, is restoring (or destroying) some not very valuable frescoes at a monastery in Rome. The Italian National Art Theft Squad has just received a tip that a raid is planned on the monastery's collection and Flavia di Stephano is in charge of the case. Menzies is among the suspects, along with an English art thief (supposedly reformed). Then, when body is found in the chapel and a holy icon goes missing, Flavia's fiance, art historian Jonathan Argyll joins the hunt to trace the Byzantine history of the icon and figure out who done it. Lots of fun, great characters, a clever plot and delicious historical details. One of my favorites in a great series.

Content rating G.

[Althea Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was the best mystery novel I've read in a very long time. It was MUCH better than either the Da Vinci Code or Angels and Demons. (I may not be an art restorer, but as far as I noticed, at least nothing in Pears' background [the Italian art world] was WRONG!)

The Art Theft Squad has received an anonymous tip that a small monastery in Rome may soon be the victim of a heist - but their only valuable painting (a Caravaggio of doubtful provenance) is currently under restoration by an art restorer of dubious reputation. Still, the police warn the monks (who are in the midst of an internal political struggle) to be careful... but soon, an elderly member of the community is found coshed in the head... and of course, an artwork is missing....

The team of Flavia, Italian Art Theft Squad officer, and her boyfriend, academic art historian Jonathan Argyll, works well, and all the characters - even the villains - were colorful, reasonably well-rounded, interesting characters.

But I was most impressed by the plot - a steady tension was kept up - it kept taking unexpected turns, revealing new layers of deception and new motivations for nearly everyone involved.... some things I really feared/expected would happen didn't - but what did happen all made sense.... (I hate it when, in a mystery, something is revealed, and you're just like, "What? Where did THAT come from? You didn't give me ANY clues!")

[Sandie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had heard of Iain Pears and when a friend lent me this book, I tried him. I did not expect he would be so funny. So, a serious mystery with a sense of humor. I enjoyed the book, it was a fast read, the pages turned quickly.

The detective here is Flavia Stephano, who gets research help from her fiance, Johnathan Argyll, an academic. The setting is a monastery with a supposed Caravaggio being restored by the "Rotweiler of Restoration". Characters include some of the monks, an old lady art thief, and some nasty characters to thicken the soup. Because the setting is Italy, there is a lot of eating and drinking. Don't read this if you are on a diet!

I found this interesting enough to look up some of the art references, especially the Hodigitria. I will read more Iain Pears and learn more about old art in the process, I hope.

[Eugene · Rating 3 out of 5]

🍷🍷🍷🍷
What a treasure! Sixth of the seven books in this way-too-short series, and I’m bereft to consider that I’ve only one more to read. Charming and insouciant, erudite without any stuffiness, evincing the writer’s love of the Rome locale, and full of interesting but not pedantic art history; add to that a cracking good mystery and honestly, could one do better? I think not.
Here Flavia, in her capacity as investigator for the Rome Art Theft Squad, and her boyfriend Jonathan Argyll attempt to resolve the mystery of why the theft from the monastery of San Giovanni involves only a minor icon of the Madonna while a very attractive Caravaggio is left behind. And of course, recovery of the Madonna becomes the focus, and provides the frame upon which this excellent tale hangs. Mystery lovers of a certain bent will find this alluring story impossible to resist...

[Deb Omnivorous Reader · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a fun little book! I somehow started reading this series in the middle but they are very enjoyable nonetheless. The two main characters are Jonathan Argyll, Englishman, lately an unsuccessful art dealer and currently a successful art lecturer, living in Italy. His partner Flavia di Stefano is a cop, specifically she is a member of Rome's Art Squad.

Flavia's department have recently had a tip off that a painting is to be stolen from a monastery. But nothing is quite as it seems....

The real joy in these books is learning about art and Rome, the monastery is fascinating, the streets of Rome well described and the culture is fascinating. I learn so much about Art and Rome every time I pick up one of these books, and I enjoy every paragraph of the learning experience!

[Sandy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked this book: the sympathetic thief Mary; all the members of the religious community were interesting; a truly evil murderer; Flavia learning the political ropes, practicing on easily intimidated Jonathan. There was an interesting historical backstory. Jonathan got to do his research. And I felt sorry for the naive man who thought his money would be doubled (after all it was guaranteed!).

Very sorry there is only one more in the series.

[Teri-K · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an entertaining series mixing art history, Rome, detective work and mystery up in a pleasing way. I wish my library carried these books, but since it doesn't I read one when it comes into my hands and always enjoy it. Though I can recommend reading them in order if possible.

[Lars Dradrach · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jonathan is now a fulltime teacher starting to build a famile life with Flavia, when Bottando is “offered” a promotion, forcing Flavia to reconsider her future as well.

A warning of an upcoming burglary at a monastery, set events in motion, involving Jonathan, Flavia, an old opponent and a long dead emperor.

It far less farcical than the previous books and more mystery/adventure in the style of the Davinci code, but somewhat more realistic.

This novel set firmly in Rome is also an unreservedly declaration of love to the eternal City, which Pears obviously have a soft spot for, which I share.

[Shannon · Rating 3 out of 5]

Possibly a 3.5, it depends on my mood! At the time of writing this review, my mood is leaning towards 3-stars. Just to be clear, Iain Pears is one of my all-time favorite authors. His outstanding historical novels, "An Instance of the Fingerpost," and "The Dream of Scipio" are both on my lifetime Top 10 list. And so, although I had read one or two of his earlier contemporary mysteries set in Rome, I thought I should really give them another try, even though I was underwhelmed by them the first time around. This title may be the final in the Flavia di Stefano-Jonathan Argyll series, and it is a decent story. It is a straightforward mystery, with a side of some art history (very slight,) as well as a somewhat broader look at Byzantine history. The plot is pretty standard fare, with a stolen religious icon at the center of the puzzle, which includes one murder and one attempted murder. The police, in the person of Flavia di Stefano, lead a pursuit that runs just after the facts, but due to help from a gifted amateur, in the person of Jonathan Argyll, retired Art dealer, the forces of right overcome the forces of evil and all is well in Rome.
So much for workaday story line.
As far as characters go, you can get rid of Flavia, and the sooner the better. What a Gloomy Gus she is! Being Italian, one would at the very least, expect some verbal fireworks, some style and some steamy passion. Instead, she comes across as an irritating stick-in-the-mud without charm or intuition. She is always moaning and groaning about the job,about her co-worker and about her physical condition. Worst of all, she doesn't acknowledge or appreciate any of her colleague's or her boyfriend's efforts to make life more pleasant.
Jonathan Argyll has the potential to be funny and intriguing, but isn't developed enough to achieve either of these traits.
In this book, the best-drawn character is far and away the professional art thief, Mary Verney. She is an old hand at the picture theft game, but she remains sharp, capable, witty and above all, believable! If the whole book had been told from her point of view, it would have sparkled!
So, the verdict is: forget these mundane mysteries and feast on Pears' masterpieces, they are sublime!

[Diletta Nicastro · Rating 2 out of 5]

Libro più debole rispetto ai precedenti e con, a mio avviso, una vena anticattolica che risulta un po' fastidiosa.

La storia d'amore tra Jonathan e Flavia è assolutamente priva di alchimia.

Per quanto riguarda la sbandierata Roma segreta, in realtà è una Roma inesistente.
Il piccolo monastero al centro della storia si trova sull’Aventino, ma non esiste.
Il quadro di Caravaggio è ovviamente un’opera di fantasia.
Così come lo è l’Ordine di San Giovanni il Pietista.
Quest’ultimo escamotage è stato sicuramente scelto dal Iain Pears, scrittore e storico d’arte inglese, per potersi muovere agevolmente nella trama senza incorrere in rappresaglie da parte del Vaticano (o dell’Ordine descritto). Perché, ammettiamolo, la realtà che il nativo di Coventry rappresenta nel romanzo è davvero disturbante: l’ex priorie affetto da demenza senile, l’attuale priore che sperpera tutto il patrimonio dell’Ordine in avventati giochi di borsa, ottusità da parte di tutti i membri nel gestire i fedeli, e molto, molto altro (incluso il collegamento con l’Impero Romano d’Oriente che non approfondisco per non fare spoiler).
Insomma, il contesto è davvero fastidioso.

Quello che più mi ha colpito è come, in un romanzo scritto nel 1996, si vedano già i prodromi dell’ormai tradizionale ‘Ce lo chiede l’Europa’.

Complessivamente si tratta di un’opera dedicata solo agli appassionati della serie, anche se non vi è nessuna empatia verso i personaggi. Il ciclo si chiude con La donna che collezionava segreti. Non ce l’ho. E’ attualmente fuori catalogo. Se dovessi trovarlo tramite qualche vendita di occasione forse potrei recuperarlo.

Per la recensione completa visita il mio blog:
https://dilettanicastro.blogspot.com/...

[Georgiana 1792 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Morte e Restaurazione

Il titolo La Pista Caravaggio è… depistante. Non è completamente estraneo al libro, come molti hanno detto, in quanto un presunto Caravaggio c’è in questa storia, e seguendo appunto la pista di questo dipinto (che peraltro raffigura il supplizio di Santa Caterina sulla ruota, con una punta di morbosità, un quadro di dimensioni che potrebbero porre non pochi problemi a qualunque ladro sprovvisto di camion), si giunge al vero tesoro che qualcuno cerca di trafugare dal Monastero di S Giovanni sull’Aventino. Il titolo originale Death and Restoration ha però una valenza multipla, perché Death vuol dire Morte, e su questo siamo d’accordo, ma Restoration, oltre ad essere assonante con Resurrection (Resurrezione), può significare restituzione, restaurazione, ripristino o anche restauro. E di tutti questi significati parla questo caso su cui Jonathan Argyll e Flavia Di Stefano indagano.

Flavia è stata promossa a capo (di fatto, ma ancora non di nome) del Nucleo investigativo per la tutela del patrimonio artistico (un corpo di polizia fittizia, inventata da Pears ad hoc) dato che il suo superiore, il Generale Bottardi, è stato costretto a ricoprire un incarico più prestigioso (ma molto più noioso) per l’Unione Europea. [Una curiosità: nell’originale in lingua inglese il generale Taddeo Bottardi si chiama in realtà Bottando. Sarà stata un’assonanza con una parola sicula poco raffinata ad aver spinto la traduttrice a modificare il nome?]. Jonathan ha cominciato ad insegnare Arte Barocca all’Università, un corso per studenti stranieri, figli di papà. Mary Verney, la ladra soprannominata ‘Giotto’ nel quinto caso della serie, aveva giurato di abbandonare la sua ‘arte’, ma è costretta per motivi ‘familiari’ a compiere un ultimo furto: Mikis Charanis, un giovane delinquente greco senza scrupoli, ha rapito la sua nipotina e come riscatto chiede a Mary di mettere a frutto le sue doti di ladra di opere d’arte. La donna è a Roma, ma Flavia e il suo corpo di polizia la tengono d’occhio.
Così come tengono d’occhio il Monastero di S. Giovanni dove, secondo una soffiata anonima, dovrebbe avvenire un furto. Apparentemente l’unica opera d’arte degna di questo nome sarebbe il presunto Caravaggio, che però è nelle mani del restauratore Daniel Menzies, quindi pressoché inguardabile: impossibile che sia l’obiettivo del furto. C’è però nel monastero un piccolo quadro, raffigurante la Vergine col Bambino, un’icona trascurata, ricoperta da una patina di sporco che sembra frutto di secoli. L’icona esercita un misterioso fascino su molte persone, perfino su Jonathan, educato alla fredda religione anglicana.
Ed infatti è proprio l’icona a sparire, sebbene i più fedeli sostengano che la Signora ricomparirà improvvisamente quando lo riterrà opportuno, e a Jonathan e a Flavia toccherà seguire numerose piste: quella del restauro, quella della restituzione, ed anche quella della restaurazione, un’affascinante pista che porta alla caduta dell’Impero Romano d’Oriente nel 1453, quando Maometto II conquistò Bisanzio e Costantino XI Paleologo scomparve, insieme all’Hodigitria, l’icona protettrice della città, che secondo la leggenda era stata dipinta da S. Luca dal vero. La Madonna Odigitria (dal greco antico ὸδηγήτρια, colei che istruisce, che mostra la direzione) è un’iconografia raffigurante la Madonna a mezzo busto con in braccio il Bambino Gesù seduto in atto benedicente che tiene in mano una pergamena arrotolata e che la Vergine indica con la mano destra, gesto che le da il nome.

Fra aggressioni ed omicidi a sangue freddo, Jonathan e Flavia ricostruiranno la storia dell’Hodigitria e dell’angelo che l’ha portata nel monastero, e del fedele servo Graziano.

Pears, mentre l’appassionante storia si snoda, affronta l’interessantissimo tema del valore che attribuiamo agli oggetti di fede, che siano essi reliquie, icone o statue, e alla loro capacità di attirare le folle e di compiere miracoli.

Il giorno prima la stragrande maggioranza era costituita di anziane donne, condotte lì dalla fede e dalla sensazione di essere state private di un'ulteriore parte del loro universo. Ora c'erano una quindicina di giovani, alcuni con l'aria seria degli studenti di teologia, altri con quella dei ragazzi partiti da ogni parte d'Europa in cerca di qualcosa che speravano di trovare sui gradini di quell'antico monastero. […] «Quella gente è mossa da un sentimento genuino», disse sottovoce ad Argyll mentre, in piedi sul cancello, osservava placidamente il gruppo accalcato sui gradini. «È così che iniziano i grandi movimenti di massa: da una semplice religiosità popolare. Sa, credo di essere l'unico, qui dentro, ad aver ventilato l'ipotesi che tutto questo possa essere opera di Dio. Non lo trova strano?»

Diluita in tutto il romanzo vi è poi una disquisizione competente, ma nello stesso tempo accessibile ai profani, sull’attività del restauratore, con critiche più o meno velate sulle tecniche adoperate e con enormi dosi dell’ironia che caratterizza i romanzi di Pears. L’ironia è alla base dei romanzi dello scrittore inglese, che sembra non prendere mai niente sul serio; soprattutto non lo fa con i suoi personaggi e con il mondo in cui vivono.

Un mistero affascinante, che ricorda Palladion di Manfredi e, in scala ridotta, Il codice Da Vinci di Brown, con l’icona che ci fa respirare gli odori misteriosi dell’Impero Bizantino e delle Crociate, ed il mistero ad essa legato che ci avvince e che ci fa credere che alcuni oggetti abbiano realmente dei poteri magici, o comunque fortemente legati alla sfera psicologica, in maniera tale che, sebbene ci sia una spiegazione logica per ogni ‘miracolo’ da essi compiuto, tuttavia siamo disposti ad attribuire loro un ruolo ‘speciale’.

Potete leggere la recensione completa QUI:
http://greenyellowale.blogspot.it/201...

[Marsha Valance · Rating 3 out of 5]

This 6th mystery featuring Flavia di Stefano of Italy’s Art Theft Squad and her fiancé, art dealer Jonathan Argyll, incorporates a bureaucratic plot against her supervisor, General Taddeo Bottando, the disappearance and miraculous reappearance of a Byzantine icon supposedly painted by St. Luke, and a heavy-handed art restorer who may be conspiring with a notorious woman art thief to remove a supposed Caraveggio he is restoring for an impoverished monastery. Pears’ extensive knowledge of the visual arts, an interesting subplot involving a possible poisoning just after the fall of Constantinople, and his unerring evocation of modern Rome add up to an enjoyable, absorbing read. Current fans of Flavia & Jonathan won’t be disappointed, and new ones will surely be attracted.

[Deb · Rating 4 out of 5]

When a small icon is stolen from a Roman monstery and a monk is assaulted, Flavia investigates. Mary Verney is in town, which is suspicious all by itself. Bottando has been promoted to a new European Union office of art investigation and Flavia finds herself heading up the art fraud unit herself. As if all of that weren't enough, a Greek mobster seems to be involved in the theft and the death of a French icon dealer as well. And Jonathan is doing research again and thinks he can prove that the little icon is valuable indeed. It seems that it arrived at the monastery in 1454, right after the sack of Constntinople by the Turks. All of the plot threads merge beautifully and the slightly equivocaal solution to the crime(s) is as satisfying as ever.

[Ellen L. Ramsey · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve been re-reading Pears’s series of art history mysteries and continue to find this story one of my favorites. The story features details of art restoration and the forgery of an icon. Jonathan’s and Flavia’s continuing banter and the clash of their disparate personalities keep the story interesting. I love the story’s additional characters—the eccentric and irascible art restorer Daniel Menzies (the “Rottweiler of Restoration”), the monks at the monastery of San Giovanni, and Mary Verney, a clever art thief who is both infuriating and in some odd ways likeable. Fun and fascinating to read.

[Betsy · Rating 3 out of 5]

This series makes for quick light reading. I am not sure why it is identified as the Jonathan Argyll series since his girlfriend/(later)wife is the detective. It seems like the series should be the Flavia de Stefano series instead. In either case the mysteries all center around the theft of artwork and contain some educational and interesting bits of information about classical art and the art world.

[Lorraine McCleary · Rating 4 out of 5]

One in a series of Art restoration murder mysteries. Flavia in the Italian Art police department receives a tip that there will be a robbery at a small monistery in Rome. A Caravaggio painting is being restored and no other valuable paintings are there except an old icon. The monastery abbot is attacked and the icon is missing. An English thief is present as well as a Greek thug that collects icons. A well paced, clever murder mystery.

[Frances · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another fun art mystery set in Rome, featuring Jonathan Argyll, academic and art dealer, and his partner Flavia di Stefano, member of the Art Police. There is a suspect Caravaggio being restored at a local monastery, an assault, a theft of artworks, and a soupçon of gang activity. Throw in a never-caught international art thief coming out of retirement and a prospective shuffle of roles within the Roman Art Police and you have a thoroughly enjoyable art heist mystery.

[Aidan Phillips · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars. Enjoyable mystery, a quick read. My rating might be a little harsh, as I liked it enough that I will gladly read the rest in this series. It’s just that, compared to his “major” novels, this felt a little rushed - in the editing too, as there are a few typos and even a major name mix-up that should’ve been caught. So, I would recommend to anyone who likes mysteries and art - it does everything better than Dan Brown’s awful written-for-movies slop.

[Ellen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Now, he proves he can write.

Death and Restoration isn't just another silly mystery. The history of painting, the art and politics of fine art restoration, and murder are subjects not smoothly transcended.

Pears does a great job. Love the story. Love the characters. Hope to see them back for years.

[Lisa Tollefson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very slow to get into, but a pleasant read. I like the apparently ongoing story of the main characters that interweaves with the plot of the theft. I will read another, I think, if I come across it. This was on the cart at the library for a quarter, and I figured it was likely to be a decent plane ride read, which it was.

[Lorlee · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting art theft from a monastery and a known art thief shows up in town. She is being blackmailed to steal the Madonna because someone has her granddaughter. The man who wants it is part of some religious group that thinks it is the original that was smuggled out of Constantinople by the emperor.

[Bob Koelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

This series has become my escapist go-to recently, and I really liked how Argyll and the Art Squad knew something was about to go down, based on the appearance of a British art thief in Rome. but they could not have imagined what the actual target was. A nice little education for me on the topic of Byzantine icon paintings.

[K.V. Martins · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this art mystery. I've loved a number of his books. Great writer & this book had a wicked sense of humour to it as well. Loved all the characters, the Rome setting & how Pears brings his art historian expertise into the mix. Although I've read most of his books, I'm on a rereading kick!

[Luci · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was great fun! I did come across something unusual, in my 1999 paperback edition: on pg 205, the author mistakes one of his own characters and names the wrong priest as the victim. I wonder how many other readers read and re-read that sentence and scratched their head, confused, wondering if they'd missed something. Regardless, it was a good vacation read.

[Gerald McFarland · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mystery story with a nice combination of a pursuit of art thieves who've (apparently) stolen a small, little-known item from a monastery in Rome and an ancient story about the icon of the Virgin and Child that's been (apparently) stolen.

[Valerie · Rating 3 out of 5]

The mystery of the theft of an icon continues to the final pages of the book - well done (but we are given a few hints). I love this light series set in Italy, and the characters are great. A nice break from heavier novels and quite entertaining. It was nice to see Mary Verney again.

[Kristīne · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a fast-paced and entertaining read. I might find and read the rest of the series.

[Michaellyn Martinez · Rating 4 out of 5]

A sheer delight! I'm a big fan of Ian Pears, read all his serious books, but so glad to have found this series.

[John W. · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was somewhat disappointed as this book does not measure up to The immaculate Deception.

[Colleen · Rating 3 out of 5]

A very standard mystery. A little bit of history, a little bit of art, likeable enough characters and a nice background story at the monastery