Trojan Gold by Elizabeth Peters Narrator: Barbara Rosenblat
Series: Vicky Bliss #4
Published by Recorded Books on June 18, 2004
Genres: Romantic Suspense
Length: 10 hours, 32 minutes
Format: Audiobook
Source: Purchased
Goodreads
Amazon, Audible, Libro.fm, Barnes & Noble, Apple
A picture is worth a thousand words . . . but the photograph art historian Vicky Bliss has just received in the mail gives rise to a thousand questions instead. At first glance it appears to be the famous portrait of Frau Schliemann adorned in the gold of Troy. But closer study reveals the picture to be contemporary—which is odd since Vicky knows the Trojan gold vanished sometime around the end of World War Two. And if she needed further proof that something here is terribly amiss, a quick look at the blood-stained envelope the photo arrived in should do the trick.
Yet Vicky is not the only expert to receive this mysterious mailing. And the entire circle is gathering for a festive Bavarian Christmas—one, hopefully, to be made even more festive by the rediscovery of an ancient lost treasure. But the celebration could prove to be short—and bloody—courtesy of a very determined killer in their midst . . .
An anonymous piece of mail containing a picture of a woman dressed in the jewels recovered from the famous Troy archeological dig herald a new Christmas time adventure for Vicky Bliss. Elizabeth Peters continues the fun mystery series with the wise-cracking, gorgeous, but very clever Art Historian, her eccentric German boss, and a gentleman thief who has a thing for tall, blond straight-arrow Art Historians.
Trojan Gold is the fourth in the series. Each book can read standalone for the individual mystery capers, but there are series arcs that make it best read in order.
Vicky gets a weird piece of mail come across her office desk at the museum. She and Schmidt work out that not only are those the real pieces of jewelry from the lost Trojan treasure, but Vicky recognizes the woman. She also gets a sudden visit from her long-time colleague working for an American university and ex-lover Tony and another colleague working in a different German museum, Dieter. This can’t be a coincidence, that more than half the group who came together for a conference a few years back, are now descending on the little Bavarian alpine village where they met the old innkeeper who might be key to the lost Trojan Gold.
It’s Christmas time and so the festivities and scenery is well repped along with Vicky and the others running to and fro looking into suspects and clues. Then murder happens and an attempted murder of Vicky. Obviously, she’s on the right track. Hijinks and mayhem follow when Schmidt, Tony, and John tagalong with her.
All in all, this Christmas caper was another solid installment in the series. These are a blend of historical cozy mystery, romantic suspense, and comedy done well.
Narration:
Barbara Rosenblatt continues to narrate the series with a fabulous wry twist and captivating gift for storytelling.
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.
Friend or follow me at Goodreads.
- Only Bad Options by Jennifer Estep @jenniferestep.bsky.social @Jennifer_Estep @sophiarose1816 - June 8, 2025
- Daughters of Olympus by Hannah Lynn #HannahLynn @readlandmark.bsky.social @sophiarose1816 - June 4, 2025
- 🎧 The Mint Julep Murders by Angie Fox @AngieFoxauthor #TaviaGilbert @audible_com #LoveAudiobooks @sophiarose1816 #JIAM - June 1, 2025
I’m glad it was a good one for you.
Oh yeah, these characters crack me up when they’re on their adventures. 🙂
Good to know about the series arc. It sounds like these characters are fun.
They are!!! John Smythe and Dr. Schmidt are incorrigible and lead Vicky a merry chase.
Christmas time! 😀 😀
Christmas in the German alps, oolala!
Sounds like a fun mystery with an interesting and festive setting!
I’m enjoying these light mysteries and the antics of all of them. Makes me want to experience Christmas in the Alps. 🙂
This sounds like a series I would love. Thanks!
They are older, but I have such a good time with them. Hope you get the chance, Jen!
I really enjoy Elizabeth Peters’ books and her books under the Barbara Michaels name. I haven’t read the Vicki Bliss books but I own the first two or three books and hope to read them soon! Glad to see how much you enjoyed this one!
I still need to read her Barbara Michaels books for the first time, but I sure am having a good time listening to the Vicky Bliss series. Barbara Rosenblatt’s narration is stellar. 🙂
I have read one book by this author and did enjoy it. It’s not my normal genre, so haven’t read any others, but this does sound like a good one. Great review!
Hers are blasts from the past for me. Hope you get the chance to pick one up again, sometime. 🙂