Review
A MINOR DECEPTION by Nupur Tustin
The First Joseph Haydn Mystery
Life isn't easy for the kapellmeister. Not only does Franz Joseph Haydn have to compose special music for the Empress' upcoming visit, he must manage his musicians and deal with an overbearing estates manager as well as his shrewish wife! Add to his burdens the violinist recommended by his brother is proving to be a disaster. While a virtuoso on the violin, he's a rude, arrogant bully in person who seems bent on getting himself fired. When the musician disappears, taking a priceless violin with him, Haydn decides to track down the man himself. What he finds are volatile musicians, an illicit affair, and political intrigue.
A MINOR DECEPTION transports readers into the eighteenth century to the world of court musicians and political intrigue. The book is, however, more scholarly in nature, more of an intellectual puzzle, and I was not emotionally invested. There appeared no true danger to Haydn, or any of his intimates, whether he discovered the truth behind his musician or not. I did like Haydn and his brother, Johann. Both were nice, decent men managing a variety of challenging characters. Poor Haydn dealing with his wife, Marie Anna. She did, however, give me plenty of chuckles. I also really liked the maids, Rosalie and Greta and their determination to help the kapellmeister. Rosalie, in particular, is a smart enterprising woman. Haydn would do well to work more closely with her.
This first Joseph Haydn mystery is methodical and a bit slow moving. There's a measured pace, just as you'd find in one of Haydn's symphonies. I loved how the mystery transformed itself as new information was brought to light. There were plenty of surprises along the way, keeping my interest. What started as simply a missing disgruntled employee and theft lead to political intrigue and murder.
A MINOR DECEPTION is an intriguing mystery filled with historical facts and details capturing a portion of court life in the Habsburg Empire.
A MINOR DECEPTION transports readers into the eighteenth century to the world of court musicians and political intrigue. The book is, however, more scholarly in nature, more of an intellectual puzzle, and I was not emotionally invested. There appeared no true danger to Haydn, or any of his intimates, whether he discovered the truth behind his musician or not. I did like Haydn and his brother, Johann. Both were nice, decent men managing a variety of challenging characters. Poor Haydn dealing with his wife, Marie Anna. She did, however, give me plenty of chuckles. I also really liked the maids, Rosalie and Greta and their determination to help the kapellmeister. Rosalie, in particular, is a smart enterprising woman. Haydn would do well to work more closely with her.
This first Joseph Haydn mystery is methodical and a bit slow moving. There's a measured pace, just as you'd find in one of Haydn's symphonies. I loved how the mystery transformed itself as new information was brought to light. There were plenty of surprises along the way, keeping my interest. What started as simply a missing disgruntled employee and theft lead to political intrigue and murder.
A MINOR DECEPTION is an intriguing mystery filled with historical facts and details capturing a portion of court life in the Habsburg Empire.
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