THE RAPHAEL AFFAIR

In this fast-moving tale about art forgery, art theft, art dealing and art investigation, Geoffrey Howard has an excellent voice for the different characters, both British and Italian. The listener is carried right along through the Italian museum world, a British art auction and an investigation into possible fraud. The Italian detective, General Bottando, and his female assistant, Flavia di Stefano, are read with flair; the British art historian, Jonathan Argyll, and various members of the commercial art world are spot on. Howard’s delivery mirrors the increasing tension in the story right up to the denouement and then relaxes the pace so the listener can enjoy the puzzle’s solution. D.M.W. ©AudioFile, Portland, Maine [Published: FEB 98]