Silhouette in Scarlet: A Vicky Bliss Novel of Suspense (Vicky Bliss Mysteries)

One perfect red rose, a one-way ticket to Stockholm, and a cryptic "message" consisting of two Latin words intrigue art historian Vicky Bliss—as they were precisely intended to do. Beautiful, brilliant and, as always, dangerously inquisitive, Vicky recognizes the handiwork of her former lover, the daring jewel thief John Smythe. So she takes the bait, eagerly following Smythe's lead in the hope of finding a lost treasure.

But the trail begins with a priceless fifth-century chalice, which will place Vicky at the mercy of a gang of ruthless criminals who have their eyes on an even more valuable prize. And the hunt threatens to turn deadly on a remote island, where a captive Vicky Bliss must lead an excavation into the distant past—and where digging too deep for the truth could dig her own grave.

One perfect red rose, a one-way ticket to Stockholm, and a cryptic "message" consisting of two Latin words intrigue art historian Vicky Bliss -- as they were precisely intended to do. Beautiful, brilliant and, as always, dangerously inquisitive, Vicky recognizes the handiwork of her former lover, the daring jewel thief John Smythe. So she takes the bait, eagerly following Smythe's lead in the hope of finding a lost treasure. But the trail begins at a priceless fifth century chalice which will place Vicky at the mercy of a gang of ruthless criminals who have their eyes on an even more valuable prize. And the hunt threatens to turn deadly on a remote island, where a captive Vicky Bliss must lead an excavation into the distant past -- and where digging too deep for the truth could dig her own grave.

In this third entry of the series, Vicky Bliss receives an anonymous plane ticket and hotel reservation to Stockholm. She knows that the invite is from Sir John Smythe, introduced in the last book and her somewhat love interest. She goes to Stockholm, discovers what the mystery involves, is led to an island in the north of Sweden to follow up on some leads and most of the action takes place there. The mystery is interesting, the clues are available to the reader, there are plenty of red herrings to make it fun, and the ending is very satisfactory.

I guess there are only a couple of more in this series. I wonder if Ms. Peters will ever write any more or will stick with just the Peabody books?


The Continuing Adventures of Vicky   February 15, 2004
 7 out of 7 found this review helpful

Vicky Bliss, an art historian now working at a Munich museum, is a bit frustrated with the dull, rainy late spring Munich weather. Life is a bit boring after some of her recent adventures but that changes when she opens a package containing a one-way ticket (coach) to Sweden, a two word Latin message and a single red rose. This has to be the work of the mysterious John Smythe so naturally Vicky is soon on her way to Stockholm. Others seem to be interested in her travel plans as well and Vicky quickly finds herself again involved in international intrigues of amazing proportions.

As with the rest of this series there are complicated intrigues, amazing conicidences, exciting chases and a cliff hanging ending all linked by Vicky wry observations on life and love.


Silhouette In Scarlet   October 2, 2003
 3 out of 5 found this review helpful

I loved this Vicky Bliss Mystery and it is my second favorite of them all. Max,the boss, Leaf,the villian, and Sir John Smythe, the lover, all set the scene for this witty and interesting mystery. This story takes place in Sweden, where Vicky gets involved in a plot to dig up a field of tresure. Vicky meets vital characters in this story and it is not one to overlook.


--One perfect rose and a ticket to Sweden--   May 7, 2003
 10 out of 10 found this review helpful

Vicky Bliss who works for the National Museum in Munich had enough of the rainy spring in Bavaria that May and was just hoping to take an early vacation to some warm and sunny place when the parcel arrived. It contained a crimson rose and an airline ticket to Stockholm. There was no note, only the words "WIELANDIA FABRICA" printed on a card. The package had no return address, but had been mailed from Sweden. Vicky instantly knew it had been sent by Sir John Smythe, her lover, and a wanted art thief who she knew she should never trust because John had let her down more than a few times. Vicky had not seen or heard from him in over a year, but she decided to use the ticket and find out what kind of a caper that John was currently involved with. Her suspicions were that he was seeking a Viking treasure.

SILHOUETTE IN SCARLET is the third book in the Vicky Bliss Mystery series and another enjoyable story by Elizabeth Peters.