Madonna of the Apes: A Fred Taylor Art Mystery

By Nicholas Kilmer

Book Overview

Praise for Madonna of the Apes... "Nicholas Kilmer had the wit to designate rapacious museum directors and art dealers 'the wild dogs of civilization.' Well, the hounds are back in Madonna of the Apes...the real pleasure is following Kilmer's research into Leonardo's secret life-and waiting for the dogs to pounce." -Marilyn Stasio, The New York Times Fred Taylor, a veteran of unspecified clandestine services in Southeast Asia, is at loose ends. Then, in a late-night chance encounter in Boston's Beacon Hill area, he meets eccentric art collector Clayton Reed. Reed, Fred learns, has been tricked into examining and considering for purchase a collection of paintings whose presence in the U.S. seems, at best, informal. Fred, sensing Reed's na vet in matters of personal security, volunteers to guarantee his safety. At the same time, Reed's acumen as a connoisseur astounds Fred. How could Reed just walk away from the situation with what he later gloatingly describes as "a prize worth more than the gross domestic product of Bulgaria?" What Reed has purchased appears to be a painting by one of the most important artists of the Italian Renaissance. But is it what it seems? The search for the answer leads Reed and Fred into an increasingly murderous tangle, guided only by the assurances of art dealers who lie as easily as they withhold the truth.... Nicholas Kilmer, formerly dean of the Swain School of Design in New Bedford, Massachusetts, presently makes his living in the art business.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1590584104
• ISBN13: 9781590584101
• Release Date: October 2011
• Publisher: Sourcebooks
• Length: 272 Pages
• Weight: 0.84 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 5.2" x 8.2"

Customer Reviews

A delicious concoction

Take one eccentric, down at heels detective, mix with a cast of colorful, offbeat characters, toss in a crash course in art history and forgery, add a soupcon of homicide and sex and you have Nicholas Kilmer's latest installment in the Fred Taylor mystery series. The plot, which has more twists than a barrel of pretzels, turns on the question of whether a painted chest, of dubious origin, is or is not a creation of Leonardo Da Vinci. A delight for various ages and tastes. Ron Katz

stupendous sixth Taylor-Reed collaboration

In Boston, Good Samaritan Clayton Reed tries to help his drunken companion to his home. Another passerby Fred Taylor comes along and helps. At the apartment, Fred, a former overseas operative, takes charge as he knows the drunk was pulling scam on the innocent Clayton and takes over the situation. The phony drunk is a Franklin from Atlanta and he has some interesting art, if genuine, in his place that should probably not be in the United States. Franklin says he has something truly special coming in to his possession in a few days; the tantalizer hooks art collector Clayton who agrees to return. As they leave, Fred asks Clayton if he is nuts. He responds in kind by hiring Fred to provide him security. A few days later, they are shown a Renaissance masterpiece MADONNA OF THE APES that could have be an original Renaissance masterpiece. Though having doubts on its' authenticity, related murders occur that seem to affirm that this painting is indeed a lost treasure worth dying for. The stupendous sixth Taylor-Reed collaboration is a prequel to the previous art mysteries by occurring at the beginning when they first met and formed their employer-employee relationship. The tale is terrific as the art expert and the former agent work to learn if MADONNA OF THE APES is authentic and uncover who is murdering those associated with the painting. Taylor receives a first hand lesson in art appreciation as dealers willingly lie to make a sale. Nicholas Kilmer refreshes his delightful series with a wonderful "first" tale. Harriet Klausner