• Silhouette in Scarlet

  • The Third Vicky Bliss Mystery
  • By: Elizabeth Peters
  • Narrated by: Barbara Rosenblat
  • Length: 6 hrs and 43 mins
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars (558 ratings)

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Silhouette in Scarlet  By  cover art

Silhouette in Scarlet

By: Elizabeth Peters
Narrated by: Barbara Rosenblat
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Publisher's summary

Vicky Bliss is a Doctor of Art History who happens to be statuesque and beautiful. But her job at the National Museum in Munich is not enough to keep this intrepid academician entertained. It takes the thrill of an ancient mystery or dangerous romantic adventure to keep Vicky on her toes.

A single crimson rose, a plane ticket to Stockholm, and a confirmed motel reservation all neatly mailed in a mysterious package sound like the formula for a romantic weekend. But with John Smythe, an art thief and Vicky's sometimes lover, nothing is ever as simple as it seems. A note tucked in the bottom of the box seals Vicky's premonitions of disaster and fuels her already insatiable curiosity, it is written in an archaic language even the capable Dr. Bliss cannot decipher.

Hidden treasures, a deadly silhouette artist and the vanishing Mr. Smythe all await Vicky in the land of her Scandinavian ancestors. It could prove to be a journey into romance or terror.

Don't miss any of the mysteries in the Vicky Bliss series.
©1983 Elizabeth Peters (P)1995 Recorded Books, Inc.

Critic reviews

"Peters' special talent is that she spoofs the romance-thriller outrageously while producing some of the most entertaining writing in the field." (Publishers Weekly)

What listeners say about Silhouette in Scarlet

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

The Demise of Sir John Smythe?

You will definitely appreciate the Vicky Bliss series more if you start with the first one -- "Borrower of the Night" -- and listen to them in sequence. That will allow you to familiarize yourself with -- and get attached to -- the ongoing characters in this fun soap-opera. Like, for instance, the Han Solo-esque rogue, Sir John Smythe, who apparently meets his demise in "Silhouette in Scarlet" (but we know that he really doesn't, don't we?). With each entry into the Vicky Bliss series, I keep thinking that I like this one the best so far. It makes me sad that Elizabeth Peters only wrote six episodes in this series. I think that I enjoy Vicky Bliss even more than Peters' more famous heroine, Amelia Peabody ... although, I have to admit, that the Amelia Peabody series probably has more literary merit. Comparing the two would resemble trying to chose between cheese cake and raspberry tart: One of them might have more nutrition, but both are delicious. Barbara Mertz -- a brilliant Egyptology scholar writing under the pen name "Elizabeth Peters" -- somehow manages to have fun with her characters, while making us like them (or hate them, as appropriate). If, like me, you get emotionally affected by the audiobooks that you listen to, and would rather avoid anything gut-wrenching or upsetting in your escape-fiction, then Vicky Bliss will suit you nicely. And Barbara Rosenblat provides the perfect narration for Peters' wry humor. This astonishing narrator has more voices and more accents at her command than any other voice actor that I have heard. In particular, with "Silhouette in Scarlet," she uses perfect German, French, Swedish, American English, and Queen's English accents. Her acting talent awes me. I recommend "Silhouette in Scarlet" to anyone looking for a light-hearted, entertaining, downer-free romp.

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17 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars

Not the best of the set

We are now at the middle of the series to date, and this book was a bit of a disappointment. We fall into a pattern, and for some reason this one just got a little slow for me. It?s still a very good story, and I like where it took the characters, but his one just took its toll on me.

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9 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Fun and addictive series...

Elizabeth Peters blend lots of humour, a questionable romance and history into a stumbling caper that I couldn't wait to finish. I'm not always a fan of first-person narratives, but Vicky Bliss's straight forward, yet sarcastic personality really carries this series. In the third installment, Vicky travels to Stockholm on a supposed vacation, where she soon learns that John Smythe, her occasional beau and an art-thief, has less than honourable intentions for their visit.

As I previously mentioned, this is a part of a series, but the Silhouette in Scarlet could definitely be read out of order. However, I would definitely recommend starting with the second book which is entitled the Street of the Five Moons. Fortunately, this book is spoiler free!

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3 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Just gets better and better

Plot development - devious! Characters - deep, snarky, intelligent. Love this series. Looking forward to the next book. Actually, love all her books. They are intelligently written. I usually learn something about history, Egyptology, or geography, which I love. Intertwined with snarky romance, not sappy. Female characters are clever, not waiting for their knight in shining armour, but hunting down a sabre for themselves.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Great listen

elizabeth peters never fails. EVER. Best author I have ever come across in the last 100 years

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars

Classic Peters

Love Elizabeth Peters writing style with such great characters and dialogue. Rosenblat is an amazing narrator

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Good Adventure

Always treasure hunting John and moral Vickie Bliss meet up again. Will this be the end of their story?

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

Far fetched

I thought it was mostly boring, but the narrator did a great job and it was humorous at times

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Exciting excursion to Sweden

Vicky Bliss is a great character, and I enjoyed this adventure in Sweden. It’s got crime, archaeology, and Sir John Smythe, and I couldn’t wish for anything more.
Barbara Rosenblat’s narration is excellent as usual. She is my favorite narrator.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Entertaining

The story is light and entertaining. The ending had a surprise from one of the characters.

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