The Vicky Bliss Mysteries

The Vicky Bliss Mysteries is a mystery novel series by Elizabeth Peters. It consists of the following novels:

eries

#"Borrower of the Night" (1973)
#"Street of the Five Moons" (1978)
#"Silhouette in Scarlet" (1983)
#"Trojan Gold" (1987)
#"Night Train to Memphis" (1994)
#"The Laughter of Dead Kings" (2008)

Plot overview

;Borrower of the Night:

;Street of the Five Moons:Schmidt shows Vicky a forgery of one of the museum's pieces and asks her to investigate. The forgery was found on the body of a man found dead in an alley, along with a mysterious paper. Vicky decodes the paper as an address in Rome - 37 Via delle Cinque Lune. She visits the antique shop located at the address and is promptly kidnapped by a ring of forgers.A mysterious man from the shop rescues her (while she surreptitiously identifies her surroundings as the palace of the Conte de Caravaggio) and warns her to leave the country while she still can. Undaunted, Vicky visits Bianca, the director of the Galleria Concini, and asks to see the collection of the Conte de Caravaggio. The Conte asks her to accompany himself and his family and employees to his house in Tivoli. Among his employees is the man from the shop, who is introduced as Sir John Smythe.Vicky suspects the Conte's involvement and thoroughly explores the grounds, looking for clues. She meets the Conte's mistress, Helena, and his son, Luigi, an avid painter. When she explores his workshop at night, she discovers a trapdoor leading to evidence. Upon exiting the workshop, she is once again kidnapped.This time she is joined in captivity by John, and later, the Conte. Together they use the Conte as bait to trick their jailer into the cell and escape.After a long chase through the grounds, they manage to escape over the wall and into a creek, though not without John getting shot in the process. They catch a ride with some vegetable merchants back to Rome, where Vicky treats John's wounds. John visits his apartment, where he finds the body of Helena. They are interrupted by more of the Conte's men. John helps Vicky escape at the price of his own.Vicky attempts to call Schmidt and tell him what's going on, but is unable to reach him. Instead, she goes to Bianca's office. While there, she figures out the Bianca is actually in on the scheme, though Luigi is the true mastermind. His unstable mind finally snaps, however, and they are able to apprehend all the criminals involved, except for John, who flees the country, though not before promising to keep in touch.

;Silhouette in Scarlet:;Trojan Gold:;Night Train to Memphis:;The Laughter of Dead Kings:

Characters

;Vicky:Doctor Victoria Bliss is a beautiful, voluptuous blonde who has trouble getting people to take her seriously. She specializes in medieval art and works for Schmidt at the National Museum in Munich. She and John first became involved during her investigation of his activities in Rome.;John:John Tregarth, alias Sir John Smythe, is a master criminal who specializes in forgeries. He has care of the family home in England, as well as his mother, Jen (short for Guinevere). He has blonde hair and blue eyes. He has been involved with Vicky since his activities in Rome, but was unable to tell her he loved her until their near-death experience with an avalanche.;Schmidt:Herr Professor Anton Z. Schmidt is Vicky's round, jovial boss. He has an incredible memory and a strong sense of adventure fueled by his great imagination. He is the former fencing champion of Europe.