Originally published on my blog here& in July 2000.The third of Pears' Jonathan Argyll novels is by far the most wide ranging in setting, much of the action (including the murder) taking place in Los Angeles rather than Italy, the country which basically contains the other stories. Jonathan travels there because he has sold a Titian to a minor Californian museum for an inflated price. (The museum was set up by billionaire Arthur Moresby because purchases could be written off against tax.)At a party given by the museum at which Moresby is to announce plans to massively expand the museum, Jonathan meets an acquaintance from the Italian art trade who has a somewhat dishonest reputation. Herbert di Souza has also made a big sale to the museum, and has been asked by their European buyer to bring over a sealed crate containing a sculpture. When, at the party, it is revealed that this is a bust by Bernini of Pope Pius V, de Souza becomes agitated and demands to speak to Moresby about it in private.It is just after this meeting that Moresby's body is discovered, while di Souza has disappeared. After this rather complicated setup, the plot develops as a soundly constructed, fairly traditional murder mystery, whose art connections mystify LAPD homicide detectives more used to drug gang killings.Like the rest of this light-hearted series, The Bernini Bust is enjoyable and worth reading if you like crime fiction.
I think this is a VERY lightweight novel - light on plot and on characters. Almost nothing on art was included, and it could have been located anywhere since very little of Los Angeles was mentioned except a couple of passing generalized witticisms. However, it's number three in the series about Jonathan Argyll and Flavia di Stefano, who at the moment may never get together since Argyll might be transferred to England. Flavia is phoning it in at her research/investigator job in Italy, depressed and disgruntled by Argyll's possibly moving on. Her boss, Bottando, decides to send her to Los Angeles to help out Argyll, who in acting as an art dealer for a client, was almost killed by a mysterious purple car after a museum party. Then, the museum's owner, Moresby, is discovered, dead on the floor of his office. Moresby had bought a smuggled Italian sculpture by Bernini which has now disappeared. Four million dollars is involved, as well as breaking the laws on smuggling. Argyll, an accident-prone art lover, seems to have stumbled into the middle of nefarious doings once again. Flavia, the brains of their relationship, had better figure out what is happening or she might lose Argyll in a more permanent manner!
What do You think about The Bernini Bust (2001)?
I have read Ian Pears' work before, An Instance of the Fingerpost and The Dream of Scipio, and very much enjoyed them, but was unaware of his "Art History Mysteries," one of which is this novel. Fortunately, Sonya L. Moore dropped this book off to me and I will be reading the others in this series. Well written, literate and entertaining, this is a good read and I look forward to others like it. From Amazon:British art historian Jonathan Argyll is in sunny Los Angeles conducting some profitable business with the Moresby Museum. Then the museum's owner is murdered and a Bernini bust disappears. And while awaiting the arrival of his friends from the Italian National Art Theft Squad, Jonathan finds himself targeted by the killer...
—Ron
This is the third book in Iain Pears’ mystery series involving Jonathan Argyll, Flavia di Stefano, and General Bottando of the Italian National Art Theft Squad. Art, history, a well thought out mystery…what more could I ask for!Jacket notes: Jonathan Argyll has finally done something right--he’s sold an overpriced Titian to a well-endowed museum in L.A. Not had for an art dealer who thinks selling paintings is the most unpleasant part of his job. And never mind that the Moresby Museum is known more for tackiness than for taste. Argyll's just anxious for the deal to be done--and he's come to L.A. to drop off the painting and pick up the check. But it turns out there are a few devils lose in the City of Angels. Like the sneaky art dealer whom Argyll suspects of smuggling a Bernini bust out of Italy. And the museum's imperious owner, who’s got a lot more money than sense--and is murdered right before both the smuggler and the bust disappear...
—Monica
I normally enjoy Pears' mysteries, and this one, too had its share of twists and turns, or moments that should have been them. Maybe I am getting a bit too familiar with his handwriting. But, well, if we are constantly reminded of a policeman's toothache, why is it that I am not surprised when he has a nasty fit in a critical situation? And so on. Not to mention the rather clumsy brushstrokes for all the American characters, in contrast to the European ones who irritatingly demonstrated that it is not people in general that present the problem for the author, just people from a certain continent. All that said, a good enough read if thrillers in the art world are your thing.
—Rein
