Light in the Shadows
When an Italian priest finds a painting that he believes to be a lost painting by the infamous 16th/17th century painter, Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio, retired professor A.R. Richman travels to the village of Monte Piccolo to investigate at the encouragement of an art student, Lucia. She joins Richman along with her best friend, Moto, eager to see if The Judas Kiss is in fact a Caravaggio, not aware that their inquiries will unearth a rivalry that has been hidden for four centuries and put their lives at risk.
The story travels between the 21st century investigation and the 17th century as the authors imagine the Italy of Caravaggio’s days, the feuds he caused, and the men and women he would have interacted with. The chapters surrounding the investigation of the painting by Richman, Lucia, and Moto fall into a realm of mystery à la Dan Brown, complete with unmemorable characters and awkward pacing. The story surrounding Caravaggio, however, and his art, his interactions, and his final days is the most interesting, rich in detail and imagination, and clearly well-researched. The combination of alternating chapters makes this an uneven read at times, but the story is accessible and readable, making the nearly 500 pages pass quickly and comfortably. Readers interested in fictional accounts of blood feuds, lost art, and modern-day investigations of centuries-old mysteries may find this an enjoyable read.
