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.
Among the many pieces of art looted from European museums at the end of WWII was a set of jewelry Heinrich Schliemann discovered on his controversial Trojan dig; the set has perhaps best been memorialized in the photo of Schliemann’s wife adorned with the jewels. Locating this long-missing treasure would be quite a coup for the finder so Vicky Bliss is definitely intrigued when she receives a photo in the mail which perfectly mimics the Sophia Schliemann picture. Unfortunately the photo arrives without any information—only a bloodstained envelope.Vicky’s quest to solve the mystery takes her to an Alpine village this time—the location of a conference she’d attended just a year before. She’s not completely surprised when she learns that her colleagues, representing the best museums in America and Europe, arrive soon after. Someone who knew the current location of the Schliemann jewelry wanted to share that information—but, as the bloodstained envelope implied, someone else is willing to kill in order to claim the treasure for their own. Who can Vicky trust?As with previous entries, the fourth Vicky Bliss mystery offers a nice combination of mystery, humor, romance, and art history. Another perk to this series is the sense of locale—Vicky is always in a new country and Peters has a flair for description. I have to note that Schmidt’s ogling scenes did creep me out a bit—I suppose it fits, every other man ogles Vicky—but it still creeped me out. I also felt liked I was missing something when the occasional German phrase was used (I don’t know German).
Do You like book Trojan Gold (2000)?
Plot: Vicky's latest adventure begins with a photograph sent anonymously and a phone call from former boyfriend Tony. These lead Vicky, Tony and Schmidt on a hunt for the lost Trojan Gold. Add in an appearance by John and a mad treasure hunter and you've got the makings of a suspenseful, romantic, and humorous story.Setting: GermanyWhy I picked it up: I'm enjoying the series more with every bookWhy I kept reading: The humorous antics of the three men in Vicky's life, the suspenseful action, and the continuing romance between John and Vicky.In the end: Another satisfying Vicky Bliss adventure.
—librarian4Him02
Vicky receives a picture in a bloodstained envelope. What does it mean?The picture is of an elderly woman wearing rich gold jewelry. At some length, Vicky recognizes it as the jewels that Heinrich Schliemann discovered at the site of Troy - the jewels that he draped around his Greek wife and then took that famous picture. Only the picture in the envelope isn't of Mrs. Schliemann. Who is it? The Trojan gold had disappeared at the end of World War II and yet this is a modern photograph. Has the gold been found, or is this an elaborate forgery?Vicky's favorite forger, Sir John Smythe, immediately comes to her mind and she places a personal ad in newspapers around the world to try to flush him from whatever hiding place he has assumed. Soon the mysterious man turns up - as usual in a most unlikely place - and the game is again afoot.This was a fast-paced and engaging mystery that included all the usual suspects of Vicky Bliss' entourage - quirky characters all. It was a lot of fun to read. Nothing serious here; even the murders are relatively lighthearted.Peters has definitely hit her stride with the Vicky Bliss series with this entry. I look forward to reading the next one. Not just yet though. Time to take a break from Vicky and move on to something else. One shouldn't overdose on quirky, funny, engaging mysteries.
—Dorothy
4.5 stars. Excellent! Only rounded down because of Narrator's very occasional missteps on inflections and miscues.My most favorite series by one of my favorite authors. Vicky Bliss plus John Smythe equals great reading pleasure. Barbara Rosenblat's narration was fantastic: she tackled a wide variety of accents, ages and both genders and yet still handily distinguished between characters.Honestly, I am nervous about listening to performances of books on my Keeper Shelf, but this won me over. I liked Vicky, John, Schmidt and the whole cast (except for the villain, of course)! Kudos to the narrator! Thanks for a lovely and dynamic read!
—Hilly
