
The Raphael Affair
Art History Mysteries, Book 1
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Narrated by:
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Ralph Cosham
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By:
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Iain Pears
Set in Rome, The Raphael Affair features the perpetually beset General Bottando of the Italian National Art Theft Squad; his glamorous assistant, Flavia di Stefano; and Jonathan Argyll, a British art historian. When Jonathan is arrested for breaking into an obscure church in Rome, he claims that it contains a long-lost Raphael hidden under a painting by Mantini. The painting disappears - then reappears in the hands of the top British art dealer, Edward Byrnes. How has Byrnes found out about the hidden masterpiece, and whom is he acting for?
There is also the curious matter of the safe deposit box full of sketches closely resembling features of the newly discovered painting. A hideous act of vandalism occurs, then murder. Bottando faces the most critical challenge of his career, and Jonathan and Flavia find themselves in unexpected danger.
©1990 Iain Pears (P)1996 Blackstone Audio, Inc.Listeners also enjoyed...




















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3 and a half stars!
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Twisty and subtly humorous tale of skulduggery in the art world
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Nice Read
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Another great Iain Pears
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Reminds me of Three Pines series
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Hidden Gem
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If you could sum up The Raphael Affair in three words, what would they be?
Very happy to see Iain Pears's art history mysteries finally coming to audible. He's a superb writer (see An Instance of the Fingerpost if you want a long, enthralling listen), and lucky for us, a superb mystery plotter too. A hapless English academic, the delightful Italian policewoman who interrogates and then fascinates him, and the avuncular chief of police are all finely drawn, and the story bubbles along with pockets of hilarity. This is one of Ralph Cosham's very best outings—he's eminently suited to both the silly-ass and the thoughtful side of Jonathan. I hope the other books follow quickly!Beautiful art, elegant wit and amusing writing
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A delight
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If you could sum up The Raphael Affair in three words, what would they be?
Interesting art history!What did you like best about this story?
I liked the historical facts about great masters and how they were painted over so they could get out of Italy...very interesting detail. It reminded me of Dan Brown books!I didn't know this author's work, I only ordered it because it was read by Ralph Cosham!
Fortunately I enjoyed the story as well!
Have you listened to any of Ralph Cosham’s other performances before? How does this one compare?
I only ordered it because of the reader! I fell in love with his voice when listening to Watership Down (one of my favorite books of all time). I also just finished listening to him read "Return of Sherlock Holmes"...I think he could read the back of a cereal box and make it sound fascinating! I am about to start "Still Life". Again I never heard of this author but ordered it because Ralph Cosham is the reader!I Wish I Could Find More Books Read by Him!
Love the reader Ralph Cosham
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Very interesting and informative art history caper
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