Iain Pears Books

Someone's planning to raid an ancient monastery in Rome. But why? And when? Enter art expert Jonathan Argyll...

When art dealer Jonathan Argyll arrives in Los Angeles to drop off a painting, he discovers that there are a few devils loose in the City of Angels

Set against a backdrop of art and intrigue, the narrative weaves suspense with rich character development. The story unfolds through a complex interplay of relationships and secrets, drawing readers into a world where every brushstroke reveals deeper truths. Acclaimed for its compelling storytelling, the novel captivates with its exploration of identity and perception, making it a standout in contemporary fiction.

The Dream of Scipio follows the fortunes of three men. The story of each man is woven through the narrative, linked by each man's love for an extraordinary woman.

An intellectual thriller set in Oxford in the 1660s, this novel is centred on a suspicious death, that of Robert Grove, fellow of New College. We hear from four witnesses: a Venetian Catholic; the son of a supposed traitor; the chief cryptographer to Cromwell; and Anthony Wood, the antiquary

The book was first released in hardcover in Great Britain by Faber Faber and Faber Ltd. in 2015. It showcases a unique narrative style and explores themes that resonate with contemporary readers, offering a fresh perspective on its subject matter. The publication marks a significant addition to the literary landscape of that year.

Set against a rich historical backdrop, this novel weaves a vast and intricate mystery that showcases the author's ambition and complexity. Following the success of "An Instance of the Fingerpost," the narrative promises to engage readers with its dazzling storytelling and multifaceted plot, inviting exploration into a world filled with intrigue and depth.

The attempted sale of an obscure 18th-century painting goes murderously awry in this newest mystery starring impoverished art-dealer sleuth Jonathan Argyll, from the bestselling author of The Raphael Affair and The Titian Committee.

Flavia di Stefano of Rome's Art Squad receives a tip-off that a raid is being planned on the monastery of San Giovanni. The raid takes place, but the thieves snatch the wrong painting, an unremarkable icon of the Madonna. Soon afterwards a French dealer is found murdered in the Tiber.

When an important, politically sensitive painting is kidnapped in Rome, Flavia di Stefano, acting head of the Italian Art Theft Squad, is told to get it back at all costs – without causing any embarrassment to the country and without paying the ransom. Put in an impossible position, she turns for help to her old mentor General Taddeo Bottando, who casts a wholly unexpected light on the crime. In the meantime, her husband, English art historian Jonathan Argyll, embarks on an investigation of his own. As a gift to Bottando, he decides to establish the provenance of a small Renaissance painting, an Immaculate Conception, currently hanging on the wall of the general's apartment. Absorbing and ingeniously plotted, The Immaculate Deception is both a fascinating art-history puzzle and a gripping murder mystery as the search for the truth uncovers shocking secrets from the past and leads Argyll and Flavia into the path of some very dangerous enemies indeed.