Michelangelo's Ghost

Jaya Jones Treasure Hunt Mystery Series, Book 4

By: Gigi Pandian

Narrated by: Allyson Ryan

Length: 8 hrs and 16 mins

Publisher's summary

A lost work of art linking India to the Italian Renaissance. A killer hiding behind a centuries-old ghost story. And a hidden treasure in Italy's macabre sculpture garden known as the Park of Monsters.

When Jaya's old professor dies under eerie circumstances shortly after discovering manuscripts that point to a treasure in Italy's Park of Monsters, Jaya and her brother pick up the trail. From San Francisco to the heart of Italy, Jaya is haunted by a ghost story inexorably linked to the masterpieces of a long-dead artist and the deeds of a modern-day murderer. Untrustworthy colleagues, disappearing boyfriends, and old enemies - who can Jaya trust when the ghost wails? Filled with the unexpected twists, vivid historical details, and cross-cultural connections Gigi Pandian is known for, Michelangelo's Ghost is the most fast-paced and spellbinding Jaya Jones novel to date.

©2016 Gigi Pandian (P)2016 Tantor

Critic reviews

"This book has everything a mystery lover could ask for: ghostly presences, Italian aristocrats, jewel thieves, failed actors, sitar players, and magic tricks, not to mention dabs of authentic history and academic skullduggery." ( Publishers Weekly)

I love a good ghost story

I love the twists and turns. I wish Jai would pick a man, so she can stay on track!

i love this series.

As with all Pandian's novels, I can go online and find the places Jaya visits and explores. I would have never known about the Monster Park in Italy. It was fascinating to see all the statues and learn about the area surrounding the park. I don't have to just visualize objects and places from her writing. I can go and actually see. That really brings each novel to life. Thank you, Gigi.

Nice book for driving.

Not too intense, so it won't distract your attention from the road as you try to follow story line. Intriguing enough, to make the drive seem short. Found this to be the case with the other four Gigi Pandian books I've listened to.

Good listening

Good book but not as good as the ones that came befor. I do recommended this title.

Fun!

amateur-sleuth, art, murder, professor, italy

Grabs the reader's attention and refuses to let go! Professor Jaya Jones is hot on the trail of a conundrum involving Michaelangelo, India, Italy, murder, and art thieves. The publisher's blurb gives hints and there is no need for spoilers, but that can't begin to prepare you for all the suspense. Get your head in the game and enjoy!
Allyson Ryan gives an exceptional performance as narrator.

GREAT MIX OF HISTORY AND MYSTERY!

I love how Gigi weaves elements of all her series and characters together so I feel as if i'm hearing a little of how the members of my extended family are doing and what they're up to. She mixes fascinating tidbits of history into her mysteries that has me dashing to my laptop for further research. She makes me yearn to travel back to countries (in this case, Italy) to explore what I missed the first time, and to go to new places that she describes in such wonderfully vivid detail.
The best part are the mysteries themselves. (Usually with some other authors I have it figured out by page 35. I just finished a mystery that reveled so clumsily "who done it" at the very beginning of the book. It's a wonder I haven't broken my phone, wanting so badly to throw it across the room on several occasions.)
Gigi's plotting is flawless and fast paced. I also like her closed bedroom approach that respects the mystery.
Jaya is a strong modern woman. For those who thought Jaya and Lane had become engaged and joined at the hip, I encourage you to listen again; you missed the essentials of why their relationship is on-again-off-again.
Allyson Ryan is a very fine narrater, one who is so pleasant to listen to that it's easy to listen for several hours in a row.
The series that I mentioned referencing each other are "The Accidental Alchemist" mysteries, "The Secret Staircase" mysteries, and, of course, Jaya Jones Mysteries. They are all wonderful and I would recommend reading them in order within each series to get the most out of them, but I am reading the 3 series concurrently.
Warning - You won't be able to read just one!

Cloak n Dagger

Felt like a true mystery with character's having many mysterious lives. Enjoyed the narrator but a few voices did get mixed up or too similar. But overall chase to find the answers was funny, suspenseful, and kept one engaged.

Jaya Jones

If you could sum up Michelangelo's Ghost in three words, what would they be?

Good book/narration.

What did you like best about this story?

The narration is spot on and that's what I look for when I read reviews. I'll read the book if the narration is bad. I've listened to all 44 J.D. Robb's in Death series because of the excellent narration of Susan Ericksen.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

Yes but that would be a spoiler so you'll have to listen to the book to find out.

Any additional comments?

The Jaja series are very similar to Elizabeth Peters Vicky Bliss books.

Michelangelo's Ghost: Jaya Jones Book 4

I have loved Jaya Jones from the moment she stepped onto the pages of book 1. She is intelligent, independent, feisty and quirky. Best of all, this larger than life individual comes in a petite package. As I have come to expect since book 1, this story had an interesting treasure hunt with just the right amount of historical details to add flavor to the mystery.

Jaya was reluctantly drawn into this latest treasure hunt by a professor that she felt she had wronged in the past. Her need to see this through to the end was a given, but having her straight-laced brother and his latest girlfriend accompany her was not. The hijinx these three got up to were extremely entertaining. As I read, I was feeling very pleased with myself because I figured out a few things before Jaya but, as always, Gigi had a number of unexpected twists planned.

It was wonderful revisiting characters that I have loved from previous books and meeting new ones. I am really invested in these characters and am really rooting for Jaya and Lane. I love them as a couple and as a team. I am looking forward to the next book in the series because I have so many questions that I am hoping will get answered.

As always, the narrator did an incredible job bringing the characters to life.

Always excited to listen to this series

Enjoy the mystery and the at history but would really love to see Lane disappear. Jaya deserves better.