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Castiglione and Guastafeste #1
The Rainaldi Quartet
Who would want to kill Tomaso Rainaldi, an elderly, unassuming violin-maker in the quiet Italian city of Cremona? For his friend and fellow violin-maker Gianni Castiglione, the murder is as mysterious as it is shocking. Rainaldi had few possessions, no enemies and little money. No one - least of all the police - can fathom a motive for murdering him. All he really had was an obsessive love of violins and an encyclopedic knowledge of them.
But what if he knew more than anyone else - not just about famous violins, but about missing violins? Ones of the caliber of the fabled Messiah, Stradivari's most sublime creation, the Mona Lisa of the music world. A violin now in the Ashmolean Museum in Oxford - and worth millions…
Aided by his friend, policeman Antonio Guastafeste, Gianni starts to investigate the dead man's affairs. Affairs that reveal an appointment in Venice with the eccentric and exceedingly rich violin-collector Enrico Forlani, and a trail that winds back to a mysterious musical past - and a far from harmonious future.
Retracing Rainaldi's steps, the two men find themselves involved in a sequence of startling events -- another murder, a mysterious Englishman, and an unscrupulous violin-dealer. A chain of events that careers across Italy and England as they become players in a game where musical instruments change hands for millions, forgery is an art form, and the preferred method of negotiation is murder.
Accompanied by two centuries of myth, music, and mystery, The Rainaldi Quartet provides a fascinating glimpse into a closed world - played at a rhythm that is fast-paced, furious, and unforgettable.
But what if he knew more than anyone else - not just about famous violins, but about missing violins? Ones of the caliber of the fabled Messiah, Stradivari's most sublime creation, the Mona Lisa of the music world. A violin now in the Ashmolean Museum in Oxford - and worth millions…
Aided by his friend, policeman Antonio Guastafeste, Gianni starts to investigate the dead man's affairs. Affairs that reveal an appointment in Venice with the eccentric and exceedingly rich violin-collector Enrico Forlani, and a trail that winds back to a mysterious musical past - and a far from harmonious future.
Retracing Rainaldi's steps, the two men find themselves involved in a sequence of startling events -- another murder, a mysterious Englishman, and an unscrupulous violin-dealer. A chain of events that careers across Italy and England as they become players in a game where musical instruments change hands for millions, forgery is an art form, and the preferred method of negotiation is murder.
Accompanied by two centuries of myth, music, and mystery, The Rainaldi Quartet provides a fascinating glimpse into a closed world - played at a rhythm that is fast-paced, furious, and unforgettable.
310 pages, Hardcover
First published October 21, 2004
14 people are currently reading
294 people want to read
About the author
Paul Adam
265 books35 followersLibrarian's Note: There is more than one author with this name on Goodreads database.
Paul Adam has written eleven critically-acclaimed thrillers for adults. His books have sold widely around the world and have been translated into several foreign languages.
He is also the author of the Max Cassidy Series of thrillers for children.
Paul Adam has also written television and film scripts. He lives in Sheffield with his wife and two sons.
Paul Adam has written eleven critically-acclaimed thrillers for adults. His books have sold widely around the world and have been translated into several foreign languages.
He is also the author of the Max Cassidy Series of thrillers for children.
Paul Adam has also written television and film scripts. He lives in Sheffield with his wife and two sons.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 98 reviews
June 8, 2013
RE-READ IN MAY 2013:
First Sentence: You expect the momentous moments in your life to provide some kind of warning.
Luther (violin-maker) Giovanni "Gianni" Castiglioni and policeman, Guastafeste, never expect one of their monthly informal string quartet gatherings to turn into a hunt for a murderer. Yet Guastafeste and Gianni find their friend Rainaldi murdered in this studio. His widow tells them he was searching for The Messiah's Sister, the twin to a perfect, unplayed, priceless violin made by Stradivari. Their hunt takes them from the sleepy town of Cremona, to Venice, Milan and England, resulting in another murder, searching for another priceless violin and, possibly, widower Gianni finding a new love.
Paul Adam has such a wonderful voice. It is so comfortable that, from the very beginning with a gathering of friends, you feel as though you are one of them. This makes the events which follow all the more impactful. Yet, his is a wonderfully wry, pragmatic voice. Although the story is set in some glorious cities, he conveys the feeling of a native by not romanticizing them…”St. Mark’s [in Venice] is an architectural wonder, but with all those Byzantine domes and pinnacles, it looks gaudy and vulgar, like a Mafia capo’s wedding cake.”
The characters are fully developed; you know their histories and their relationships to one another. But it’s more than a surface acquaintance. Particularly with Gianni, you know the pain of his past and understand his acceptance of the present and future. A possible change to that is, then, all the more enticing. You sense his morality and deep friendship with Guastafeste which makes Gianni’s struggle with an action from the past and his friend’s learning of it all the more poignant. Even the secondary characters are vivid and brought to life. Each character is memorable on their own and none more so than Mrs. Colquhoen with her myriad of cats all named “Timmy”.
The theme of the book is music and, in particular, violins; the artistry involved in the making of them, their history, the obsession one can have for collecting them, and the greed for selling them. All of this is integrated into the story in a way that is fascinating, rather than boring.
“The Rainaldi Quartet” is a combination history and music lesson, but it is also a jigsaw puzzle and treasure hunt with an excellent resolution. Most of all, it is one great read!
THE RAINALDI QUARTET (AKA SLEEPER) (Mys- Castiglione/ Guastafeste-Italy-Contemp) – VG+
Adam, Paul – 1st in series
Time Warner Books, 2004
Original Review:
Adam, Paul – 5th book
Time Warner, 2005 – Paperback
Giovanni "Gianni" Castiglioni is a luthier--a violin maker--at whose home his friends--a policeman, Guastafeste, a priest, Father Arrigh, and a fellow luthier, Rainaldi--gather each month as an informal string quartet. After one of their sessions, Guastafeste and Gianni find Rainaldi murdered in his studio by. His widow tells them he was searching for The Messiah's Sister, the twin to a perfect, unplayed, priceless violin made by Stradivari. Gianni is asked by Guastafeste to help in the investigation.
***This book is being released in hardcover by St. Martin's as "The Rainaldi Quartet" in February 2006. No matter the title, I thoroughly enjoyed this book. The character of Gianni, the supporting characters and the settings in Italy were well done. The killer, and the motive, weren't ones I anticipated. But it was the history of violins and violin making I found fascinating. The information enhanced, rather than detracted, from the story. If this is an example of Mr. Adam's writing, I should definitely read another book by him.
First Sentence: You expect the momentous moments in your life to provide some kind of warning.
Luther (violin-maker) Giovanni "Gianni" Castiglioni and policeman, Guastafeste, never expect one of their monthly informal string quartet gatherings to turn into a hunt for a murderer. Yet Guastafeste and Gianni find their friend Rainaldi murdered in this studio. His widow tells them he was searching for The Messiah's Sister, the twin to a perfect, unplayed, priceless violin made by Stradivari. Their hunt takes them from the sleepy town of Cremona, to Venice, Milan and England, resulting in another murder, searching for another priceless violin and, possibly, widower Gianni finding a new love.
Paul Adam has such a wonderful voice. It is so comfortable that, from the very beginning with a gathering of friends, you feel as though you are one of them. This makes the events which follow all the more impactful. Yet, his is a wonderfully wry, pragmatic voice. Although the story is set in some glorious cities, he conveys the feeling of a native by not romanticizing them…”St. Mark’s [in Venice] is an architectural wonder, but with all those Byzantine domes and pinnacles, it looks gaudy and vulgar, like a Mafia capo’s wedding cake.”
The characters are fully developed; you know their histories and their relationships to one another. But it’s more than a surface acquaintance. Particularly with Gianni, you know the pain of his past and understand his acceptance of the present and future. A possible change to that is, then, all the more enticing. You sense his morality and deep friendship with Guastafeste which makes Gianni’s struggle with an action from the past and his friend’s learning of it all the more poignant. Even the secondary characters are vivid and brought to life. Each character is memorable on their own and none more so than Mrs. Colquhoen with her myriad of cats all named “Timmy”.
The theme of the book is music and, in particular, violins; the artistry involved in the making of them, their history, the obsession one can have for collecting them, and the greed for selling them. All of this is integrated into the story in a way that is fascinating, rather than boring.
“The Rainaldi Quartet” is a combination history and music lesson, but it is also a jigsaw puzzle and treasure hunt with an excellent resolution. Most of all, it is one great read!
THE RAINALDI QUARTET (AKA SLEEPER) (Mys- Castiglione/ Guastafeste-Italy-Contemp) – VG+
Adam, Paul – 1st in series
Time Warner Books, 2004
Original Review:
Adam, Paul – 5th book
Time Warner, 2005 – Paperback
Giovanni "Gianni" Castiglioni is a luthier--a violin maker--at whose home his friends--a policeman, Guastafeste, a priest, Father Arrigh, and a fellow luthier, Rainaldi--gather each month as an informal string quartet. After one of their sessions, Guastafeste and Gianni find Rainaldi murdered in his studio by. His widow tells them he was searching for The Messiah's Sister, the twin to a perfect, unplayed, priceless violin made by Stradivari. Gianni is asked by Guastafeste to help in the investigation.
***This book is being released in hardcover by St. Martin's as "The Rainaldi Quartet" in February 2006. No matter the title, I thoroughly enjoyed this book. The character of Gianni, the supporting characters and the settings in Italy were well done. The killer, and the motive, weren't ones I anticipated. But it was the history of violins and violin making I found fascinating. The information enhanced, rather than detracted, from the story. If this is an example of Mr. Adam's writing, I should definitely read another book by him.
April 7, 2009
This is a nice book. But not a good one.
I think what irritated me is that the Italian characters didn't ring true. They didn't act Italian if that makes sense. My husband is Italian and I lived in Northern Italy for several years and the dialogue and character attitudes did not ring true. Also, the way the story ended, all neat and pat was a. not something you'd find in an Italian mystery and again, too neat and pat for my taste.
The ending was too quick and too expected. If you like really sweet things, then you'll like this novel. On the back the publishers say it is will appeal to fans of Donna Leon. But it actually won't. Donna Leon understands Italy and the Italian personality/character. So fans of her novels will be most likely be irritated by this.
Fans of cute cozies on the other hand will probably like this.
I think what irritated me is that the Italian characters didn't ring true. They didn't act Italian if that makes sense. My husband is Italian and I lived in Northern Italy for several years and the dialogue and character attitudes did not ring true. Also, the way the story ended, all neat and pat was a. not something you'd find in an Italian mystery and again, too neat and pat for my taste.
The ending was too quick and too expected. If you like really sweet things, then you'll like this novel. On the back the publishers say it is will appeal to fans of Donna Leon. But it actually won't. Donna Leon understands Italy and the Italian personality/character. So fans of her novels will be most likely be irritated by this.
Fans of cute cozies on the other hand will probably like this.
November 15, 2022
(3.5 stars)
A fun and entertaining murder mystery set in Italy.
In this book Gianni Castiglione, an almost retired luthier, and his friend(s) try to find the murderer of their friend Rainaldi, a fellow luthier who was trying to track down a mysterious, possibly lost, valuable Stradivari violin.
I generally liked the plot, the characters and the writing style, and don't have all that much to cricisise. I really enjoyed the violin mystery - the plot was an interesting and quite enjoyable mix of facts and fiction without too many inconsistencies on the classical music side. I also loved following a bunch of middle-aged to elder characters which doesn't happen too often in fiction nowadays.
However, all in all I found everything about this book (characters, plot, writing style, etc) just a bit too bland and monotone, and throughout the entire book I could not really become invested in either the characters nor the story itself because it all read just a tad too generic. Furthermore, I was totally prepared to give this 4 stars nontheless, until the ending, which tanked because it seems rather unlikely to me, and it also leaves quite a few important questions unanswered, which I am not a fan of in stories like this one.
All in all a diverting quick read with entertaining facts about the world of classical music and violin making, but not a great piece of literature in and of itself.
A fun and entertaining murder mystery set in Italy.
In this book Gianni Castiglione, an almost retired luthier, and his friend(s) try to find the murderer of their friend Rainaldi, a fellow luthier who was trying to track down a mysterious, possibly lost, valuable Stradivari violin.
I generally liked the plot, the characters and the writing style, and don't have all that much to cricisise. I really enjoyed the violin mystery - the plot was an interesting and quite enjoyable mix of facts and fiction without too many inconsistencies on the classical music side. I also loved following a bunch of middle-aged to elder characters which doesn't happen too often in fiction nowadays.
However, all in all I found everything about this book (characters, plot, writing style, etc) just a bit too bland and monotone, and throughout the entire book I could not really become invested in either the characters nor the story itself because it all read just a tad too generic. Furthermore, I was totally prepared to give this 4 stars nontheless, until the ending, which tanked because it seems rather unlikely to me, and it also leaves quite a few important questions unanswered, which I am not a fan of in stories like this one.
All in all a diverting quick read with entertaining facts about the world of classical music and violin making, but not a great piece of literature in and of itself.
February 6, 2019
Well written, interesting plot and satisfying ending. The history of violins which includes the making of them, the buying and selling of them and the love of them is fascinating.
January 24, 2022
Yep I love this niche crime series about Italian violin crimes! Fantastic. So much cultural background in this one about the stradiavari museum in Cremona, obsessive collectors in Venice, dodgy dealers in Milan, violin auctions in London, and mythology associated with specific violins and their makers. It’s a ripper, lots of violin info, a travel guide, and intelligent writing.
November 30, 2011
The reader is introduced to a pleasant man in his early 60's. This man is Gianni Castiglione, a luthier (violin maker,) living in Cremona, Italy. He is a widow that loves his work and once a week, joining with three others to play quartets of the classics, such as Brahms etc.
Joining him is a Priest, a Policeman, and another Luthier, Tomaso. After an enjoyable evening, the policeman, Guastafeste and Gianni share a glass of whiskey and chat. The telephone rings...it is the wife of fellow luthier, Tomaso...where is he?
These are the dire words that sends Gianni and Guastafeste off on a search for a killer and his quarry, a precious violin...The Messiah's Sister.
Mr. Adam is deft in his storytelling. The murder quickly retreats to the rear as I became engrossed in the history of the violin itself. The scenery moves from Cremona to the U.K. to Venice and back to Cremona. Is there such a violin in existence and why was Tomaso so enamored with it. We learn the world of violin forgeries and even art.
This book was simply astonishing. If you enjoy historical mysteries, Please meet Paul Adam and his debut book "The Rainaldi Quartet."
Joining him is a Priest, a Policeman, and another Luthier, Tomaso. After an enjoyable evening, the policeman, Guastafeste and Gianni share a glass of whiskey and chat. The telephone rings...it is the wife of fellow luthier, Tomaso...where is he?
These are the dire words that sends Gianni and Guastafeste off on a search for a killer and his quarry, a precious violin...The Messiah's Sister.
Mr. Adam is deft in his storytelling. The murder quickly retreats to the rear as I became engrossed in the history of the violin itself. The scenery moves from Cremona to the U.K. to Venice and back to Cremona. Is there such a violin in existence and why was Tomaso so enamored with it. We learn the world of violin forgeries and even art.
This book was simply astonishing. If you enjoy historical mysteries, Please meet Paul Adam and his debut book "The Rainaldi Quartet."
May 21, 2010
For me, this is one of the rare instances where the sequel was better than the original. The Rainaldi Quartet is the first book in a mystery series by Paul Adam, designed around the world of classical music and historic violins. Yes, obligatory murders happen, but the real interest of the book is the search for a historically important, perfectly made violin from the late 1700s.
I'd already read the book's sequel, Paganini's Ghost, and I find I prefer the sequel to the original. The Rainaldi Quartet feels looser, more exploratory, as if the author didn't really know the characters yet. Paganini's Ghost is more taut and interesting.
Both books are very fast reads, entertaining, fun, and light.
I'd already read the book's sequel, Paganini's Ghost, and I find I prefer the sequel to the original. The Rainaldi Quartet feels looser, more exploratory, as if the author didn't really know the characters yet. Paganini's Ghost is more taut and interesting.
Both books are very fast reads, entertaining, fun, and light.
July 24, 2011
The story begins as four men in Italy meet as they have many times before to play music as a string quartet. One is a priest, 2 make violins and one is a detective. When one of the violin makers is murdered in his shop, the detective (Antonio) seeks the aid of the other violin maker (Gianni) to help determine if anything has been stolen from his shop. They discover that the murdered man had been in search of an undiscovered Stradavarius called the "Messiah's Sister". We follow along as they investigate both the murder and the search for the violin. The author does a magnificient job of interweaving the history and mystique of these violins, as well as the subculture surrounding them and determining their historical provenence. The author also goies into a detailed discussion about fakes and how they are made. The two travel to Venice and England in order to discover the truth. I enjoyed both the mystery and the musical subculture explored by the book.
October 14, 2013
I was introduced to this series courtesy of this year's Malice Domestic conference. Set in quiet Cremona, Italy, the story centers around the murder of an aging luthier, Tomaso Rainaldi, and a mysterious violin known as the "Messiah's Sister" rumored to have been missing for centuries, if it even existed in the first place. Two members of Rainaldi's quartet -- a fellow aging luthier named Gianni Castiglione and a police officer name Antonio Guastafeste -- set out to determine who murdered their friend (and why) and end up on a quest for the "Messiah's Sister" with travel to England and other parts of Italy. The author weaves the art of violinmaking and music into the mystery, and also reveals the darker side of music appreciation. Gianni has a deep secret from his past that is threatened by the investigation into his friend's murder. I enjoyed the blending of art and mystery, and would be interested in reading the next one in the series.
March 3, 2015
If you enjoy classical music, play a violin (or any of its relatives), respect beautiful things made by hand, or love an historical mystery you will enjoy this 'history and mystery'. I learned much about the world's famous old violins while I was being entertained with a beautifully paced quest for one of them.
I know only too well how hard it is to convey music and musical instruments in words (I review regularly for a local music club); Paul Adam does it as well as it can be done. The only way it could be bettered would be if someone were to make this book into a movie. From my mouth to God's ears.
I know only too well how hard it is to convey music and musical instruments in words (I review regularly for a local music club); Paul Adam does it as well as it can be done. The only way it could be bettered would be if someone were to make this book into a movie. From my mouth to God's ears.
September 16, 2022
Read it all in one day. Mostly because my aunt recommended the book to me, and I wanted to finish it before she came back from work.
As an amateur violinist, it was enthralling to read something so completely invested in violins.
I definitely thought that the priest was the murderer 😂 because the title of the book is the Rainaldi Quartet and one of them was murdered, two of them were searching for the murderer, so that leaves us with the priest whose hands were big enough to strangle a man😂
I think I’ve read too much Agatha Christie haha
As an amateur violinist, it was enthralling to read something so completely invested in violins.
I definitely thought that the priest was the murderer 😂 because the title of the book is the Rainaldi Quartet and one of them was murdered, two of them were searching for the murderer, so that leaves us with the priest whose hands were big enough to strangle a man😂
I think I’ve read too much Agatha Christie haha
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 10, 2008
The Rainaldi Quartet begins with the murder of an elderly violin-maker and progresses throughout Europe as the violin-maker’s friends attempt to discover who did the deed and why. It also revolves around a valuable Stradivarius that has been missing for many years.
This is a very quick read, but fun to the end. I would recommend this for people who are interested in instruments or mysteries, and especially for those who are fascinated by both.
This is a very quick read, but fun to the end. I would recommend this for people who are interested in instruments or mysteries, and especially for those who are fascinated by both.
November 19, 2015
I'm hooked on this author! Admittedly, I read the second in the series first, but I liked Paganini's Ghost so much, I wanted to see what the first in the series had to offer. I wasn't disappointed. Adam's protagonist is such a likeable fellow and his descriptions of the Italian countryside are so spot on, I felt as if I was spending a weekend in Tuscany!
Can't wait to try more from this author.
Can't wait to try more from this author.
December 2, 2012
I really enjoyed this book, probably as much because I love historic fiction, and I am a (very) amateur violin player. I've recommended it to the other members of my string ensemble. Other lover's of hostorical fiction would probably like it, too, even without the music angle. However, I did get lost in which violin was which.
February 5, 2011
Nearly 4 stars. I actually like the 2nd book of the series (Paganini's Ghost) better. However, had I read this one first I would have sought out more books by Paul Adams. I'm looking forward to the 3rd book in the series. He knows his music history and writes a very enjoyable mystery.
June 27, 2011
I really enjoyed this very literate look at music, obsession and lost violins. Characters are well drawn and I'm looking forward to meeting them again. Did I mention I liked it? And I never saw the ending coming.
February 8, 2023
Pretty well read in one sitting. It flows easily, with gentle humour and a plot that would be appreciated by musicians, string players in particular. I didn't really care 'who done it' as I just enjoyed the ambience.
June 29, 2020
This mystery involves a valuable violin and multiple murders in contemporary Italy.
Shortly after playing a short composition by Beethoven with his friends Tomaso Rainaldi, a retired professional musician and sometime violin teacher, and Antonio Guastafeste, a local detective; Gianni Castiglione, an elderly luthier (that is, a craftsman of stringed instruments), receives a suspicious call at his Lombardy countryside home from Rainaldi’s wife Clara. His friend hasn’t come home and he is soon found stabbed near his abandoned car. Guastafeste, a generation younger than narrator Castiglione or Rainaldi, returns when he’s assigned to the case. Because Castiglione’s technical knowledge makes him useful as a valuable resource, he accompanies Guastafeste on his investigation, which begins with Venetian violin collector Dottor Forlani. The curious collector lives in squalor but spends a small fortune on instruments. They learn that Rainaldi had contacted Forlani about acquiring a valuable violin known as the “Messiah’s Sister.” Not long after their visit, Forlani is also murdered by a nefarious and mysterious persona as ruthless as he is determined. The mystery’s trail, which includes old letters and older tombs, leads Gianni through a network of auction houses and black-market dealings across Italy and western Europe, reaching its denouement at Casale Monferrato, the cement capital of Italy.
Well-paced storytelling perfectly suits the subtle pleasures of this tale. The author offers plenty of European history and an immersion in a subculture of the classical music world as well as a pleasant mystery.
Shortly after playing a short composition by Beethoven with his friends Tomaso Rainaldi, a retired professional musician and sometime violin teacher, and Antonio Guastafeste, a local detective; Gianni Castiglione, an elderly luthier (that is, a craftsman of stringed instruments), receives a suspicious call at his Lombardy countryside home from Rainaldi’s wife Clara. His friend hasn’t come home and he is soon found stabbed near his abandoned car. Guastafeste, a generation younger than narrator Castiglione or Rainaldi, returns when he’s assigned to the case. Because Castiglione’s technical knowledge makes him useful as a valuable resource, he accompanies Guastafeste on his investigation, which begins with Venetian violin collector Dottor Forlani. The curious collector lives in squalor but spends a small fortune on instruments. They learn that Rainaldi had contacted Forlani about acquiring a valuable violin known as the “Messiah’s Sister.” Not long after their visit, Forlani is also murdered by a nefarious and mysterious persona as ruthless as he is determined. The mystery’s trail, which includes old letters and older tombs, leads Gianni through a network of auction houses and black-market dealings across Italy and western Europe, reaching its denouement at Casale Monferrato, the cement capital of Italy.
Well-paced storytelling perfectly suits the subtle pleasures of this tale. The author offers plenty of European history and an immersion in a subculture of the classical music world as well as a pleasant mystery.
August 11, 2017
For this genre (murder mysteries), as good as it gets. This is the 1st of the 2 novels featuring luthier Gianni Castiglione and his policeman friend Antonio Guastafeste, in Cremona Italy. I had serendipitously come across the second book, Paganini's Ghost, read it, and loved it. Of course I had to find a copy of this and read it as well. Here, Castiglione's friend Tomaso Rainaldi is murdered as he apparently nears the end of a quest to find "Messiah's Sister," the mythical violin crafted by the legendary Stradivari, companion to his documented masterpiece, "The Messiah."
Well, if you love the arts, love a good mystery, and love a satisfactory ending, look no further. My sole complaint is that author Adam has written no others in this series...
Well, if you love the arts, love a good mystery, and love a satisfactory ending, look no further. My sole complaint is that author Adam has written no others in this series...
August 9, 2023
A musical murder mystery in Italy
The Rainaldi Quartert (also published as Sleeper) by Paul Adam is the first in a mystery series of two detectives…a violin maker and his policeman friend (who is also a musician).
The mystery is pretty straight forward following a murdered Luthier (violin maker). It’s made even more interesting as the death is tired to a missing one of a kind (and highly valuable) violin called the Messiah (well something similar).
The story has the two “detectives” navigating the black market underworld of musical artifacts and finding out what the murdered luthier was up to prior to his death.
The final crescendo is a bitter chord as nothing can possibly bring their murdered friend back…but perhaps a sonata of justice might still play…
The Rainaldi Quartert (also published as Sleeper) by Paul Adam is the first in a mystery series of two detectives…a violin maker and his policeman friend (who is also a musician).
The mystery is pretty straight forward following a murdered Luthier (violin maker). It’s made even more interesting as the death is tired to a missing one of a kind (and highly valuable) violin called the Messiah (well something similar).
The story has the two “detectives” navigating the black market underworld of musical artifacts and finding out what the murdered luthier was up to prior to his death.
The final crescendo is a bitter chord as nothing can possibly bring their murdered friend back…but perhaps a sonata of justice might still play…
October 20, 2018
Tamoso Rainaldi plays in an amateur quartet with violin-maker Ganni Castiglione and policeman Antonio Gastefeste. When Rainaldi is murdered, the pair discover that he was on a quest for a matchless violin. In spite of the contrived plot, the setting in northern Italy is delightful and the book contains a lot of interesting violin history. Very off-putting is the dubious assumption made by all the characters throughout the story that a violin that has never been played is more desirable than one that has.
May 4, 2019
Well researched world of violins. Unfortunately characters do not behave and do not have Italian temperament at all. Magda speaks Hungarian which is not Slavic language (only one similar to it is Finish) so she will not sound East European at all. Author as a man of letters should research his languages better. After all guilt for selling a fake to crazy collector our Gianni does the same thing again - all for the good cause of course but do you feel Signor Machiavelli's ghost there?
All this annoyances are dragging number of stars down of this otherwise competently written cosy mistery.
All this annoyances are dragging number of stars down of this otherwise competently written cosy mistery.
October 15, 2020
A fairly good murder mystery for those who love the genre, but you'd probably want a passing interest in violin-making to get under the skin of it. It is very well researched and as far as I can tell, it's not only the history of violin making which is accurate, but also the reflected attitudes of the historians. I was less convinced of the relationships between luthiers, dealers, collectors and musicians, though as a violinst myself, I certainly recognised several of their preoccupations.
An enjoyable light read.
An enjoyable light read.
June 18, 2019
I mostly read this for the violin history and it did not disappoint at all on that measure. Sometimes a bit far-fetched and I wish the author hadn't felt he HAD to introduce a romantic interest almost immediately. The murder mystery wasn't particularly engrossing but an enjoyable, descriptive light read with mostly good characterizations; I could see myself giving another of the series a look as a summer book.
May 14, 2020
Very refreshing read for a mystery, since much of it is a love song to violins: making violins, the history of violins, the value of violins, listening to violins, and literally killing for violins. I'm more of a reeds person myself, but also a music lover, so I thought it was pretty interesting. Plus, more poetic than mysteries usually are.
I also liked the relationships among the characters, mainly Italians, but some UK, too.
I also liked the relationships among the characters, mainly Italians, but some UK, too.
August 25, 2021
Meh. It's a mystery. I guess I learned that violins can be taken apart and put back together and that old violins have very long histories with far too many previous owners to keep track of.
What I will remember from this book is the fat auctioneer who said his goal was to die of a heart attack because then you go quickly. The problem is that you would spend all your time feeling lousy while you waited for your heart attack.
What I will remember from this book is the fat auctioneer who said his goal was to die of a heart attack because then you go quickly. The problem is that you would spend all your time feeling lousy while you waited for your heart attack.
April 12, 2018
Not quite as "atmospheric" as I'd hoped it would be. It's cool learning about the violin-making centers of Italy and the luthier culture. There's a lot to like here, though the authors descriptions leave me wanting more when compared to some other fiction I've read that is closely tied to a period or a location.
February 28, 2020
Delving into the world of violins-violin making, its history, and those who would pay a fortune to own a master-was fascinating. Loved reading about the shady deals that go on in this niche market and how there's always a lingering doubt about authenticity. I felt that some of the scenes changed abruptly, and a couple of the characters could have used more development.
August 25, 2024
I loved this book. The author gives a detailed account of the history and techniques of making violins, in which is embedded a nonstop plot, psychological insight, some classical music, a detailed presentation of place and time, an understanding of law enforcement and beaurocracy, and does it all as an entertainment for the reader.
January 22, 2018
An entertaining mystery that is mostly focused on the hunt for a fabled violin that may or may not actually exist, you'll learn more about the world of luthiers and rare violins than you ever expected. The "whodunit" side of the mystery takes second place, and that's fine.
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