Street of the Five Moons (1978)

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                                                                          Vicky Bliss #2

Commissioned by her boss to track down a ring of antiquities forgers, academic bombshell Dr. Vicky Bliss finds herself investigating in that most mysterious city of all--Rome. Her curiosity leads her to the luxurious villa of a local nobleman where his family circle hints at mystery...as well as into the path of the suspiciously, slickly charming Englishman Sir John Smythe. As murder rocks the villa, the question presents itself: will Vicky unmask this latest threat before she finds herself the newest corpse? 

                                                          Listening: The Name of the Game

Hurray! We've made it to John and Vicky!

If you remember back to my Camelot Caper post from ages ago, you might be wondering, "is this what she was talking about? Is John Smythe actually John Tregarth?" Yes, my dears, it is. That won't be confirmed until about twenty years from now, but there's no harm in telling it to you here. And I have to wonder what popped the idea into MPM's head to bring to the two characters together here. They work as perfect contrasts to each other--sharpening each other's wits and talents, challenging each other's deep rooted insecurities and reservations.

And oh, what a smart, funny, sexy little gem this book is. Vicky and John's antagonistic repartee keeps the book skipping happily, as we veer from dead bodies to ghostly apparitions in the hall and on to a forger's studio, and finally into a midnight escape that I personally think is a masterpiece of suspense.

There's not much to say about a book I can't really criticize. Other than Caesar forever. <3 

Favorite Line: “Can't you ever stop joking?"
"No, why should I? Laughter is one of the two things that make life worthwhile. Aren't you going to ask what the other one is?”

Rating: *****

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