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Liked It1 of 1 members found this review helpful “A good mixture of detailed spanish setting, art history and chess problems combine to produce an excellent entertaining read that is a murder thriller as well as an art mystery.” see full review » see other reviews » |
Didn’t Like It “A wannabe Da Vinci Code murder mystery centered around a fifteenth-century Flemish painting.” see full review » see other reviews » |
Newest Reviews
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“loved this”
Trish wrote this review 2 weeks ago. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“I was enthralled from beginning to end. The movie inspired by this book, however, was a HUGE disappointment.”
Adela D wrote this review 3 weeks ago. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No“fun”
Maria de la Luz G wrote this review Monday, November 30 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No“A wannabe Da Vinci Code murder mystery centered around a fifteenth-century Flemish painting.”
Jen C wrote this review Saturday, October 31 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“Random Comments Arturo-Perez-Reverte is not a familiar author and the Flanders Panel is a wonderful introduction to him. I have read some of the other comments here, and even while I agree with some of the less positive ones (predictable, e.g.), I still give this particular book a top rating just because it is so richly written. I am convinced that, although the translator had wonderful material with which to work, a great deal of praise must be attributed to Margaret Jull Costa, as well as the author. Under the multi-layered plot line, there is a whisper of nihilism as a theme. This is underlined in a philosophical argument between Belmonte and Munoz in which Belmonte asserts that far from being classifiable, the world, and every thing in it, is one vast paradox. Values are mutable. At the conclusion of the mystery, Belmonte’s view prevails. Knowing how to move the pieces, (chess) is not the same as knowing how to play the game. I knew, however, just enough to be able to follow the first puzzle with some technical appreciation. However, even my level of understanding of chess is not necessary for enjoyment of the interlocking puzzles individually or as a whole. I guessed the identity of the ‘villain’ about halfway through the book. The surprise was the why. Once revealed, the motive seems a bit of a stretch, but not so much so as to deny a kind of literary license. This all said- I will stand by my five star rating. ”
nothingpetty wrote this review Saturday, November 28 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“An art restorer, an antiques shop owner, a chess player, and a 15th century Flemish painting with a hidden message about a murder - what could be more engaging than that? The 3 main characters were interesting, Munoz most of all. ”
miman wrote this review Saturday, October 3 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“Even though it is a little contrived. ”
Cathy E wrote this review Monday, July 27 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“I enjoy this author's work and found this one to be a bit lacking. Too much chess detail for me. For someone who loves chess and a murder mystery wrapped into a 15th century painting, read it!”
Lisa C wrote this review Friday, June 19 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No“Another good one - an art historian is restoring a painting and realizes that clues to murders that are happening around her are in the painting.”
Peggy L wrote this review Tuesday, June 16 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
