the story of the writing of this book, van gogh's ear, by bernadette murphy is inspiring for all wannabe writers and mystery lovers. what a dream to chase a myth, the unravelling of a mystery, the making alive of history and art. it stimulates your fantasy. i have a suitcase full of such unravelled mysteries that i would like to research and explore in stories, but i never take the time. maybe in the future? however, bernadette did it and how. to her penguin book bbc two documentary