emmalenore's review
2.0
I picked this up at the library because I love ancient Troy and has heard good things about the author. This book was okay. I liked the setting and the mystery of the long lost gold. I did not like Vicky. All of the men in this novel are hopelessly in love with her and want to sleep with her at every turn, which got old fast. Also, every other woman in this book is portrayed as vapid, shallow, and stupid (and of course Vicky is the only one who can see these intentions). How Vicky treated Tony rubbed me the wrong way too. She makes it clear she doesn't really care about him (in any way, it seems) but has the audacity to be upset with him because he has a fiancée and isn't all over her. I actually found John charming, especially as the book went on.
Overall, I wish this story had more to the mystery and less of Vicky's weird relationship dynamics. And I could do without the treatment the other female characters are given. I think I might try reading another book from this author that does not feature Vicky.
Overall, I wish this story had more to the mystery and less of Vicky's weird relationship dynamics. And I could do without the treatment the other female characters are given. I think I might try reading another book from this author that does not feature Vicky.
ladylegerwood's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
my favourite vicky bliss so far.
allisoncc's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
megancmahon's review
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I simply adore Elizabeth Peters, and I simply adore Vicky Bliss. This is such a cozy, comforting book - and the characters are the best part. John Smythe might be my most favourite thief-turned-legit-who-falls-in-love-with-the-prickly-but-loveable-main-character I've ever read. I also am super into the legend of Troy, so this is always a cool one to read and fire my imagination.
eserafina42's review
4.0
I've given this 4 stars in the past, but this time around the bedroom farce in Vicky's hotel room was enough to make me laugh out loud, so I'll raise it to 5. Barbara Rosenblat is also the best narrator of Peters' books, bar none.
racheljoy7's review
4.0
Wow!!! That was a fun ride.
Can't wait to see what Peters has in store for Vicky next ;)!
Spoiler
And they didn't even solve the mystery but it doesn't matter because the adventure was so much fun that the reader doesn't mind that small detail. I love the fact that John finally tells Vicky how he loves her . . . it was definitely about time.Can't wait to see what Peters has in store for Vicky next ;)!
sjgochenour's review against another edition
4.0
Schmidt is in exceptionally fine form throughout. The scene in the church at the end is simply *kisses fingers.*
There are two separate threats of sexual violence -- not carried out -- which made me far more anxious this time around when reading. Ironically, the first one is more upsetting, because all the characters seem ready to write it off as reasonable behavior.
There are two separate threats of sexual violence -- not carried out -- which made me far more anxious this time around when reading. Ironically, the first one is more upsetting, because all the characters seem ready to write it off as reasonable behavior.
jessalynn_librarian's review against another edition
4.0
My favorite so far in rereading the Vicky Bliss series. This one is as much of a farce as the first three, but the humor and adventure reach a peak. It features the Trojan gold (of course), a German ski town at Christmas, art historians desperate to out-do each other, an avalanche...what more do you want from a light, fun read?
sapphirelain's review against another edition
4.0
Super easy read :) it's nice to not have to concentrate too hard and still have a solid story line
jcbmathcat's review against another edition
3.0
Our mystery book club members had to read a book that involved treasures stolen from Germany during World War II. I read Elizabeth Peter's book, Trojan Gold. I've never read any of the Vickie Bliss mysteries and this is the fourth in the series. I enjoyed the book, although the fact that every man made a play for her became a bit old. I like my mysteries to be less romantic, although I did really like the character of Sir John (obviously one of his many aliases).
****
I read up on "Priam's Treasure," which is the name given to the cache of gold pendants, bracelets, rings and other articles found by Heinrich Schliemann in 1870. In 1881, he donated the treasure to Germany where it remained until the end of WWII. It disappeared from a Berlin bunker along with other works of art during the war's chaotic last days. The article I read, dated April 16, 1996, appeared in the New York Times. I quote from it below.
"Russian authorities finally acknowledged that Soviet troops occupying Berlin had spirited the gold back to Moscow, along with hundreds of thousands of other works of art. For decades, a handful of Soviet officials, sworn to silence, were the only ones allowed to know that the treasure was here, stored in the bowels of the Pushkin Museum. Even the head curator of ancient art at the museum, Vladimir Tolstikov, learned the secret only by chance in 1975, and he wasn't permitted to see the gold until 1993.
But starting on Tuesday, and for the next year, everyone who braves the endless lines expected at the Pushkin will get to see Priam's Treasure. Occupying a single room in the museum, it consists of about 260 mostly tiny objects, miraculously preserved in mint condition and theatrically lighted. The finest of the lot are large jadeite and lapis lazuli ritual axes and opulent diadems of feathery gold, including the one that Schliemann, with his Barnum-like flair, said might have belonged to Helen of Troy."
****
I was slightly disappointed that there was no definite resolution at the end with regard to the gold. We do find out who masterminded the dastardly deeds that were committed.
****
I read up on "Priam's Treasure," which is the name given to the cache of gold pendants, bracelets, rings and other articles found by Heinrich Schliemann in 1870. In 1881, he donated the treasure to Germany where it remained until the end of WWII. It disappeared from a Berlin bunker along with other works of art during the war's chaotic last days. The article I read, dated April 16, 1996, appeared in the New York Times. I quote from it below.
"Russian authorities finally acknowledged that Soviet troops occupying Berlin had spirited the gold back to Moscow, along with hundreds of thousands of other works of art. For decades, a handful of Soviet officials, sworn to silence, were the only ones allowed to know that the treasure was here, stored in the bowels of the Pushkin Museum. Even the head curator of ancient art at the museum, Vladimir Tolstikov, learned the secret only by chance in 1975, and he wasn't permitted to see the gold until 1993.
But starting on Tuesday, and for the next year, everyone who braves the endless lines expected at the Pushkin will get to see Priam's Treasure. Occupying a single room in the museum, it consists of about 260 mostly tiny objects, miraculously preserved in mint condition and theatrically lighted. The finest of the lot are large jadeite and lapis lazuli ritual axes and opulent diadems of feathery gold, including the one that Schliemann, with his Barnum-like flair, said might have belonged to Helen of Troy."
****
I was slightly disappointed that there was no definite resolution at the end with regard to the gold. We do find out who masterminded the dastardly deeds that were committed.