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annathepiperTrojan Gold, Book 4 of the Vicky Bliss series, fights very, very hard with Book 5 for my favorite book of the entire lot, and it's one of my favorites by Elizabeth Peters in general. It boasts some of her strongest writing, a fairly decent and substantial plot, and some nifty upping of the romantic ante between Vicky and her paramour John.
The setting du jour is a Bavarian ski lodge where Vicky and five others once stayed together, and where Vicky befriended the old proprietor of the place. Now the old man is dead, and with his death, he's drawn Vicky and her old acquaintances back together. John Smythe is not far behind, for the catalyst of this gathering is a picture of the gentleman's wife--wearing golden jewelry from the famed archaeological site of Troy, which would be worth a fortune if it could be found.
I had forgotten that Vicky's old flame Tony from Borrower of the Night actually shows up again in this one, providing an unexpected romantic challenge to John; seeing him again as I re-read the book was a pleasant surprise. But really, he's no real competition for our gentleman thief. Especially not when this book features John finally declaring his feelings for Vicky, in a bit that's one of the most effective declarations of love I've ever had the pleasure to read. Specifically because it's not flowery or even particularly sentimental. In fact, it gets pretty much dragged out of John, much to Vicky's glee. ;)
Dive into this one with both feet, folks (though get the other three out of the way first). Four stars.
The setting du jour is a Bavarian ski lodge where Vicky and five others once stayed together, and where Vicky befriended the old proprietor of the place. Now the old man is dead, and with his death, he's drawn Vicky and her old acquaintances back together. John Smythe is not far behind, for the catalyst of this gathering is a picture of the gentleman's wife--wearing golden jewelry from the famed archaeological site of Troy, which would be worth a fortune if it could be found.
I had forgotten that Vicky's old flame Tony from Borrower of the Night actually shows up again in this one, providing an unexpected romantic challenge to John; seeing him again as I re-read the book was a pleasant surprise. But really, he's no real competition for our gentleman thief. Especially not when this book features John finally declaring his feelings for Vicky, in a bit that's one of the most effective declarations of love I've ever had the pleasure to read. Specifically because it's not flowery or even particularly sentimental. In fact, it gets pretty much dragged out of John, much to Vicky's glee. ;)
Dive into this one with both feet, folks (though get the other three out of the way first). Four stars.