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List Price: $24.95 | | Publisher: Poisoned Pen Press
Salesrank: 783847
Released: October 1, 2005 |
| Our Price: $15.30 |
| Used Price: $0.04 |
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| Media: Hardcover |
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Editorial Review:
Fred Taylor, a veteran of unspecified clandestine services that have caused him to spend hard times in Southeast Asia, finds himself at loose ends in Boston. A late-night chance encounter in the city's Beacon Hill area throws his lot in with eccentric art collector Clayton Reed. Reed has been tricked by a young man as unscrupulous as he is ignorant into examining and considering for purchase a collection of paintings whose presence in the U.S. seems, at best, informal.
Fred, sensing Reed's naiveti in matters of personal security, volunteers to guarantee that security at the same time as 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
Can The Madonna of the Apes be a forgery
How did it come to be, so quietly, in Boston
These questions propel Reed and Fred into an increasingly murderous tangle, guided only by the assurances of a sequence of art dealers who lie as easily as they withhold the truth about the painting, its true nature, and its history.
Nicholas Kilmer is the author of five previous Fred Taylor art mysteries.
Madonna of the Apes (Art Mysteries) Reviews:
Interesting Art, Less Interesting Plot 
2006-03-21 - Although Madonna of the Apes is the 6th book in this series, the book's subject goes back to when the two regular protagonists, Fred Taylor and Clayton Reed, first met. Since I hadn't read any of the other books in the series, this seemed like a good time to dip my toe into the water.
As the book opens, Fred Taylor finds himself awakening to a situation that doesn't seem quite right. It seems like a large snake has slithered over him . . . bringing back bad memories of protecting his rice from rats. Eventually, he finds the situation isn't quite as threatening as it seems . . . but there's also a mystery. Who is his companion?
From there, Taylor heads out in the middle of the night to get some fresh air. Torn over where to go, he stumbles onto an older man helping a younger man down the street. Suddenly, the younger man attacks the older man. Taylor steps in and settles everyone down. The older man is a local art collector, Clayton Reed. Once inside the younger man's apartment, life turns bizarre. The walls are covered with what seem to be valuable paintings. Reed expresses interest, but also negotiates for an old chest. Pulling out his money belt, cash changes hands. Taylor carries the chest for Reed.
With that opening, we enter into a world of international nastiness that reminded me at times of The Maltese Falcon.
The first 50 pages of this book are extremely slow going except for the first three pages . . . which although active, are totally formulaic. After about 100 pages, the book picked up enough steam to be an average mystery. From there, the artistic speculations and observations started to make the book move above average. When not dealing directly with artistic questions, the book is amateurish in its plotting and development.
A delicious concoction 
2005-12-14 - 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
2005-10-14 - 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
