The Raphael Affair Audiobook By Iain Pears cover art

The Raphael Affair

Art History Mysteries, Book 1

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The Raphael Affair

By: Iain Pears
Narrated by: Ralph Cosham
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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. Action & Adventure International Mystery & Crime Mystery Mystery, Thriller & Suspense Suspense Thriller & Suspense Traditional Detectives Witty Art History Mystery

Critic reviews

“A clever thriller.…Pears balances politics, love, and danger nicely in a plot that has a cunning and satisfactory outcome.” ( Sunday Times)
“Masterful and calls for an encore.” ( Houston Post)
“Presents a world the author knows well in the satisfying way Margaret Truman and Dick Francis set their mysteries in milieus they know.” ( Associated Press)
Entertaining Art Mystery • Intelligent Storytelling • Compelling Voice • Engaging Characters • Subtle Humor
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I don't know how to make this better than 3 stars, just not quite 4. My audio book expectations are to be entertained, and this does. Good story, holds together reasonably well and some dry humor thrown in. Overall good entertainment.

3 and a half stars!

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This was a very entertaining story of art forgery and theft, of academia and museums. Three protagonist to root for and a story you really have to pay attention to if you’re going to get it. Best of all one of my favorite narrators, the late Ralph Cosham. So happy to have encountered this, the first book in a series.

Twisty and subtly humorous tale of skulduggery in the art world

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Ralph Cosham is a wonderful narrator! The story is interesting, and the dry humor is entertaining. I will read more by this author, as it will be interesting to see him hone his writing skills.

Nice Read

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Loved it. this is the second time I listened to this book. My wife listened also while we were on a rode trip. Love the details and the character development.

Another great Iain Pears

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Maybe that had a lot to do with the narrator. I really enjoyed the story/plot. It amazes me how much to-do some people make over paintings - and other art. True, nobody should make unauthorized copies and fraudulently pass them off as originals, but really, if someone is passionate about a particular work that should be in a museum for everyone to enjoy, why not let good copies be sold? Anyway, another essentially human perversion at least makes for an interesting mystery for me.

Reminds me of Three Pines series

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Oh, what a delightful audio! Intricate plot, nuanced and devilishly witty dialogue, plus narration by the incomparably talented Ralph Cosham, I loved it!

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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This is a gem and is well worth a listen. I had low expectations and was very pleased to be proved wrong.

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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A short novel about art forgery, which is educational as well as entertaining. Not quite a page-turner, until the climax, but beautifully written, and expertly read by Ralph Cosham (who narrates the Inspector Gamache books). Definitely recommend, and I’m looking forward to listening to another Iain Pears book.

Very interesting and informative art history caper

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