Killing the Emperors (Robert Amiss Mysteries Book 12)

Aug 03, Reggie Billingsworth rated it really liked it. It's been a while since I read this title but the remnants of memory made me recommend it to a few friends who were struggling with post-grad 'curator studies' that demanded they play the Pretension Game that's been going on for far too long in Modern and Post-Modern art circles. When I witnessed an installation of pencil shavings distributed all over the floor of an otherwise empty room in a gallery in British Columbia, I was instantly reminded me of what everyone who loathes this sort of clap t It's been a while since I read this title but the remnants of memory made me recommend it to a few friends who were struggling with post-grad 'curator studies' that demanded they play the Pretension Game that's been going on for far too long in Modern and Post-Modern art circles.

When I witnessed an installation of pencil shavings distributed all over the floor of an otherwise empty room in a gallery in British Columbia, I was instantly reminded me of what everyone who loathes this sort of clap trap would LOVE to dare to do So ranty or not, and some are fully justified in finding this book a bit over the top, the scene it satirizes deserves Everything It Gets in a wonderfully appropriate title. They have no clothes, these self-styled Emperors and Edwards has devised a fitting fate for them all.

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I plodded through as much of this book as I could because I agreed with the premise that much of modern art and the "celebrity artists" being extolled in the press is garbage, but I got bored with it and finally gave it up without finishing it. Dec 01, Damaskcat rated it it was amazing. Never one to mince words, it seems she may have opened her mouth once too often when she suddenly disappears. Has she been kidnapped? While the tension mounts and attempts are made to find out where the kidnap victims are being held Jack keeps her captors on their toes.

I loved the characters in this fast paced mystery and I loved the ending which was very well done. The books can be read in any order but the relationships between the series characters become much easier to understand if read in the order in which they are published. The books have the flavour of classical murder mysteries but all poke fun at certain areas of society and the establishment. Nov 15, Susan rated it liked it Shelves: While I really loved the first set of Edwards' Robert Amiss books, when she developed the magnetic, eccentric character of Baroness Ida "Jack" Troutbeck, she let Jack--as she acknowledges herself--take over the series entirely.

Jack is fun to read about, but her oversized personality and reactionary opinions have, eventually, ruined my enjoyment of the books as a whole. In this one, Jack rants about the art business, and then finds herself kidnapped with others who, to put it mildly, disagree wi While I really loved the first set of Edwards' Robert Amiss books, when she developed the magnetic, eccentric character of Baroness Ida "Jack" Troutbeck, she let Jack--as she acknowledges herself--take over the series entirely.

In this one, Jack rants about the art business, and then finds herself kidnapped with others who, to put it mildly, disagree with her. Her friends frantically search to help her, and the book jumps between her experiences with the kidnapped more rants and the difficult search. Aug 12, Jillian Ivy rated it really liked it. This was the first Ruth Dudley Edwards book I'd ever picked up.

How have I missed this author for so long? I read all the Agatha Christie as a teen, and this really reminded me of those novels, but the characters are so much more lively.

Even the dead ones. Jack Troutbeck is a character in a million. I wouldn't want to have to work with her, but reading about her is a hoot. And Robert Amiss, I don't understand his life-plan, but we're all lucky he always needs a job. The setting is cozy, but the mystery and characters are anything but.

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This author has a great touch with character, never tipping over the edge to farce. Nov 29, Robin rated it really liked it. I enjoyed this book, which unlike the author's previous entries is more a comedic adventure than a crime mystery. The pleasure would have been enhanced had there been a whodunit element to the plot. Suffice to say there is an echo of Shakespearian tragedy here, where the reader is left to guess who on earth will be left alive by the final act.

If you loathe the hollow shenanigans of modern art, then you will relish seeing its exponents get their just desserts. I look forward to reading Baroness T I enjoyed this book, which unlike the author's previous entries is more a comedic adventure than a crime mystery. I look forward to reading Baroness Troutbeck's next foray, and hope at some point she will tackle the iniquities of Ofsted.

Nov 17, Will rated it really liked it. Another Amiss-Troutbeck sleuthing in the series which keeps taking aim at some aspect of British society. This one unleashes a fusillade at the world of "modern art". Readers may need a strong stomach to take in the discussions of "artists", most of whom are, unfortunately, NOT fictional.

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Downgraded for the prevalence of expletives May 02, Nev Fountain rated it really liked it Shelves: A well research plunge into one of the maddest areas of culture. A breathlessly hectic page turner which infected me with a healthy deprecation of modern art. The concept is great, and well thought through. If I must have a criticism, the premise is laid out rather too directly, and twists and turns are in short supply, but the enthusiasm of the writer takes you through it.

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Feb 01, Monica rated it liked it Shelves: A hilarious and utterly non PC diatribe about the wretched excesses of postmodern art disguised as crime fiction. Well, there is crime - kidnapping and murder - but mainly it is a gleeful skewering of the likes of Damien Hirst dead animals Tracey Emin soiled bed linens and the community of pushers and panderers that support the cachet and astronomical prices such works of "art" receive. Dec 31, Barbara Bothwell rated it it was amazing.

Dame Jack Troutbeck is again caught up in murder and mayhem. This time involving the world of Modern Art - and the Dame's take of the genre. Gruesome, nailbiting and, amazingly, some laughs. I enjoyed every pate of this book. Mar 29, Rog Harrison rated it liked it. I like Jack Troutbeck as a character though I have nothing in common with her about from liking real ale! This book ridicules modern art and has some gruesome deaths but although it made me smile I did not enjoy this as much as some of Ruth Dudley Edwards' other books.

Nov 26, Lisa rated it it was ok. I really love these characters and get very excited when there is a new story to read but I just found it slow and plodding and un-engaging. Did not like the reader. A bit thin, this is a self-indulgent criticism of conceptual art. Customers who bought this item also bought.

Page 1 of 1 Start over Page 1 of 1. The Saint Valentine's Day Murders: Murder in a Cathedral: Product description Review 'The latest in a comic crime series, which has, over the years, delivered hefty slaps to the rumps of various sacred cows. Here, [Ruth Dudley Edwards] takes a swipe at the world of conceptual art, with her heroine, the magnificently monstrous reactionary libertarian Baroness "Jack" Troutbeck, on splendidly splenetic form.

For Ruth Dudley Edwards, it's hilarious. I devoured 'Killing the Emperors' because I'd rather laugh than cry. The Baroness Troutbeck is a wonderful invention and as a central character provides most of the humour.

She is both classy and classless This hilarious series, that points its funny finger at a corner of society, comes highly recommended, they are all very entertaining, and this is one of her best. Fans of Damien Hirst and Tracey Emin are advised to steer clear of this book but those of us who believe that real art has nothing to do with pickled sharks or unmade beds will cheer every page of an exhilarating read.

She is also one of the most entertaining crime writers around, the author of a series that satirizes special interest groups and the political correctness that makes other commentators look away politely Whatever posterity's verdict may be of conceptual art, this send-up should be applauded for its vigour and humour.

See all Product description. Kindle Edition File Size: Amazon Australia Services, Inc. Share your thoughts with other customers. Write a customer review. Most helpful customer reviews on Amazon. It was a slow start and I was beginning to think that RD had lost her sense of humour but suddenly it turned into the usual amusing jaunt with Robert Amiss and the Baroness. Modern British artists get round after round of derision from Jack and it is very funny. Strictly speaking it is not a whodunnit like many of her previous books because the perp is revealed immediately but the fun is not spoiled as a gaggle of art "experts" are eliminated one by one in Big Brother style.

My only criticism as an Australian, and therefore biased is to point out that very few of us actually speak in the way she has portrayed the Australian characters. Killing the Emperors is the latest in a series of very readable books containing the same characters.