Critics' Opinion:
Readers' rating:
Published Apr 2005
224 pages
Genre: Thrillers
Publication Information
A perfectly rendered short novel of suspense about a painter driven to extremes.
"Anybody in the business of criticism, whether it be artistic or literary, will be chastened by Pears's indictment of a critic's power to make or ruin reputations." - Phblishers Weekly
"Don't expect this to appeal to the wide audience that made Fingerpost a best-seller, but for those who prefer the subtlety of a small canvas, where the perfidy of the human heart is revealed in shadow, Pears' "portrait" is an exquisite little gem." - Booklist
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Any "Author Information" displayed below reflects the author's biography at the time this particular book was published.
Photo: Marilynn K. Yee
Iain Pears was born in England in 1955 and was educated at Wadham College, Oxford. Pears has worked as an art historian, a TV consultant, and a journalist for many countries. Pears combined his knowledge of art and his mystery writing technique in An Instance of the Fingerpost and other novels. He also wrote Stone's Fall. Pears is the author of the Jonathan Argyll series of art history mystery novels. The series includes The Raphael Affair, The Titian Committee, Giotto's Hand and The Immaculate Deception.
Name Pronunciation
Iain Pears: Like Ian (ee-un)
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