Into the Vortex: A Tim Simpson Novel

Malcolm, John

ISBN 10: 0312155557 / ISBN 13: 9780312155551

Published by St Martins Pr (edition ), 1997

It's a preowned item in good condition and includes all the pages. It may have some general signs of wear and tear, such as markings, highlighting, slight damage to the cover, minimal wear to the binding, etc., but they will not affect the overall reading experience. Seller Inventory # 0312155557-11-1

Synopsis:

Realizing that a purported Wyndam Lewis painting is far more valuable than he had first thought, art expert Tim Simpson finds himself tracking the killer of two of the painting's owners

Reviews: A truly offbeat episode for adventurous, knowledgeable Tim Simpson, advisor to the Art Fund at London's White's Bank (Hung Over, 1995, etc.). This 12th installment in the series starts with a call that takes Tim to a meeting with four oddly assorted strangers. They offer him a fine Wyndham Lewis drawing with the promise of a major painting by the same artist to become available shortly. Tim happily buys the drawing--it's some consolation for the problems besetting White's, where the board, without consulting Tim, has taken on tycoon Piers Hargreaves, who's notorious for downsizing, or worse, any enterprise he controls. He's also, it transpires, a collector of Wyndham Lewis, and pressures Tim to take him along for a look at the painting, if it ever materializes. A note from Mr. Brooks, one of the mysterious quartet, brings the news that Frank Smith, another of the four, has been killed in a hit and run. Then comes an aborted meeting with Brooks, as well as Tim's discovery of the hanged body of George Welling--the four now down to two. Back at the bank, meanwhile, various deals are being bruited about--all of them depressing, and all instigated by Hargreaves. When the long-awaited viewing is finally scheduled, it brings Tim to a scene of savagery, a battle for his life, and the barely feasible motive behind it all. The author's style is, as ever, literate and wryly civilized. But a somewhat incoherent plot and a heavy measure of rather specialized lore on art and literature may lessen the general appeal. Art mavens, though, should love every minute. -- Copyright ©1997, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved.

Art history and series fans alike will applaud the latest Tim Simpson adventure (e.g., Hung Over, LJ 9/1/95) which features the usual search for an important but undervalued painting. Simpson acquires art for his bank's Art Fund?a straightforward task?but the quartet of partners who want to sell him a Wyndam Lewis painting seems plagued by murder and disappearance. Meanwhile, the new head of Christerby's auction house, where Simpson is a director, show an unhealthy liking for Lewis's work?and for Simpson's wife as well. Dry wit, subtle wordplay, and literate references add charm to the painting puzzle. Strongly recommended.
Copyright 1997 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Bibliographic Details

Title: Into the Vortex: A Tim Simpson Novel
Publisher: St Martins Pr (edition )
Publication Date: 1997
Binding: Hardcover
Condition: Good