Silhouette in Scarlet by Elizabeth Peters Narrator: Barbara Rosenblat
Series: Vicky Bliss #3
Published by Recorded Books on June 24, 2004
Genres: Romantic Suspense
Length: 6 hours, 43 minutes
Format: Audiobook
Source: Purchased
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When American art historian Vicky Bliss receives a one-way plane ticket to Stockholm from her former lover, the stage is set for a rendezvouz with danger. Suddenly Vicky finds herself being courted by a dashing Viking, but she never suspects that her life may depend on finding a long-lost Nordic treasure . . . before it's too late.
Over the last year, I’ve been revisiting old Elizabeth Peters’ books on audio. I was very taken with the dry wit and amusing light romantic suspense capers of the Vicky Bliss series the first time through many years ago and I’ve found that they stand the test of time, particularly in audio format.
Silhouette in Scarlet is the third of the standalone Vicky Bliss romantic adventures set in various locales around Europe of the 1960’s. Vicky is a tall, voluptuous blond with a wise-cracking attitude and a doctorate in medieval art history and working as the assistant director of the Munich art museum under the hilarious Herr Dr. Schmidt.
While the series mostly has standalone mysteries, the series is best in order as Vicky’s encounters with the suave and flirty art thief Sir John Smythe has built into an ongoing and slowly deepening relationship between the pair as the series progresses. Vicky’s latest escapade into Sweden is all thanks to John who tantalizes her with hints that he’s got something big cooking. Vicky has no idea what the cheeky reprobate is planning to steal this time, but decides to take her vacation in the ancestral homeland and poke about pretending not to hope she’ll spot John along the way and maybe stop his latest shenanigans.
But, her glimpse of John is brief and her next encounter isn’t much longer when he warns her off saying the deal has gone sour and Sweden is no longer safe for her. Naturally, Vicky ignores him, enjoys her time imbibing the local color at the side of a big handsome Viking-like man named Leif and trying to figure out what the game is. This is very light in tone, but eventually builds into the high suspense moment.
The end is full of a heart-pounding excitement and some good twists leaving me well-pleased with my revisit and eager to continue my reunion with the Vicky Bliss series.
Narration:
Barbara Rosenblat is a great voice for Vicky and the others. She catches the dry wit, the comedic and suspense pacing, and voices the international and diverse cast so well.
Listen to the clip: HERE
As a lifelong reader, it was inevitable that Sophia would discover book blogs and the joy of blog reviewing.Sophia is a prolific reader and audiobook listener which allows her to experience so many wonderful books, authors, and narrators.Few genres are outside her reading tastes, but her true love is fiction particularly history, mystery, sci-fi, and romance.Though, sorry, no horror or she will run like Shaggy and Scooby.
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I love all of her books but it’s been awhile since I read them.
Its been fun doing the re-listen.
I enjoy using audiobooks for rereads/revisits. I think it’s a good way to get all the good vibes back while you do something else.
Yes, exactly! Plus sometimes the audio brings out some nuance that wasn’t as obvious in the print read.
I haven’t read this author but I do love a good twist.
Her humorous banter and the snarky heroines touch just the right tone for me.
Barbara Rosenblat is one of my favorite narrators! I absolutely adore Elizabeth Peters’ books because of her
Oh yeah, high five! 🙂
It’s nice when a series you loved holds up after years. I’ll have to check this one out!
It can be a gamble going back to some oldies, but these have been a fun time so far.
Oh, this sounds like a lot of fun. Thanks Sophia Rose.
Exactly, the sort of light suspense I like as a palette clanser between heavy-hitting books.
mmmmmmmmm….this does sound interesting.
Just call me the book temptress, Carole. 🙂
I have at least one of the Vicky Bliss books and am really looking forward to reading it. I love this author’s books under the Barbara Micheals name but haven’t read nearly as many of her books under Elizabeth Peters.
And, I’m the opposite. I need to read more of her Barbara Michaels books. 🙂