Scan barcode
sophiarose1816's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
relaxing
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
Over the last year, I’ve been revisiting old Elizabeth Peters’ books on audio. I was very taken with the dry wit and amusing light romantic suspense capers of the Vicky Bliss series the first time through many years ago and I’ve found that they stand the test of time, particularly in audio format.
Silhouette in Scarlet is the third of the standalone Vicky Bliss romantic adventures set in various locales around Europe of the 1960’s. Vicky is a tall, voluptuous blond with a wise-cracking attitude and a doctorate in medieval art history and working as the assistant director of the Munich art museum under the hilarious Herr Dr. Schmidt.
While the series mostly has standalone mysteries, the series is best in order as Vicky’s encounters with the suave and flirty art thief Sir John Smythe has built into an ongoing and slowly deepening relationship between the pair as the series progresses. Vicky’s latest escapade into Sweden is all thanks to John who tantalizes her with hints that he’s got something big cooking. Vicky has no idea what the cheeky reprobate is planning to steal this time, but decides to take her vacation in the ancestral homeland and poke about pretending not to hope she’ll spot John along the way and maybe stop his latest shenanigans.
But, her glimpse of John is brief and her next encounter isn’t much longer when he warns her off saying the deal has gone sour and Sweden is no longer safe for her. Naturally, Vicky ignores him, enjoys her time imbibing the local color at the side of a big handsome Viking-like man named Leif and trying to figure out what the game is. This is very light in tone, but eventually builds into the high suspense moment.
The end is full of a heart-pounding excitement and some good twists leaving me well-pleased with my revisit and eager to continue my reunion with the Vicky Bliss series.
Barbara Rosenblat is a great voice for Vicky and the others. She catches the dry wit, the comedic and suspense pacing, and voices the international and diverse cast so well.
iamsophie27's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
lakecake's review against another edition
3.0
I think I say this after every Vicky Bliss novel, but I really wish she was Amelia Peabody! These books are just ok, never amazing like the Amelias..I just find myself not caring that much about the characters. But, they read quickly and keep you mildly entertained. It also took me an entire day after finishing it to actually understand the title, and I still don't get why there's a cat on the cover. *shrugs*
allisoncc's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- 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
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I love Vicky. After reading so many female characters growing up who “didn’t know they were beautiful” until they were told so by a male protagonist (and had zero personality to boot), Vicky Bliss is so refreshing. “Yes, I’m beautiful, and it’s a damn nuisance.”
She’s got fire and fight and she’s prickly and genuinely flawed, as well as funny. John is her perfect foil. I love these books.
She’s got fire and fight and she’s prickly and genuinely flawed, as well as funny. John is her perfect foil. I love these books.
racheljoy7's review
4.0
I am really enjoying this series.
Vicky Bliss is a delight as the main character and the growing relationship between her and her rake, John, keeps the story interesting and unexpected at times.
Vicky Bliss is a delight as the main character and the growing relationship between her and her rake, John, keeps the story interesting and unexpected at times.