Bibliography:
Peters, Elizabeth. 1973. Borrower of the Night. New York: Dodd Mead. ISBN: 978-0396067696 Reissued paperback: 978-0061656071

It might be a stretch to call this a “forgotten book,” since Elizabeth Peters (also writing as Barbara Michaels) has remained very popular with readers.  But more so for her Amelia Peaody series.  There are soon to be six entries in the series, but there is an almost 14 year gap between number 5 and number 6 in the series.  The publication of what is being called the last of the series, prompted me to seek out the first book where we are introduced to Vicki Bliss.

Vicki Bliss is everything one would want in a heroine of these types of stories–young, beautiful, smart, determined, and while she enjoys the company of men, she is independent and very much her own woman.  When she and another junior professor in art history (an arrogant male junior professor named Tony) discover clues to a lost masterpiece in an obscure history book, the hunt is on.  And to make the hunt more interesting, Tony implies that Vicki can’t find it on her own.  Off to Europe they go, finding themselves guests in an old German castle that is now a hotel of sorts.  They skulk through its corridors and secret passages, explore its crypts, and try to avoid giving away any clues to the other guests who might be after the same treasure.  Along the way, the situation takes a serious turn, when they realize someone else is after the treasure and will do anything to get it.

Definitely a fun and fast read.  There are hints of gothic, or perhaps neo-gothic, which the author later exposes as fake, which add to the fun.  Up till the cilmax, that whole book feels that way, but when faced with death, the reader and the characters realize there is more at stake then bragging rights of who found the treasure.  I am definitely looking forward to reading more about Vicki Bliss and her adventures.