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"Matt
Rees has drawn a lively portrait of eighteenth-century Vienna
and of characters whose names now live only because of their connection
with the composer. This novel is well-researched, very clever and
written in clean, suitably formal language...This is an even better
mystery novel than the author's prize-winning series about the
Palestinian detective Omar Yussef--and that's saying a lot." --Literary Review, London
"Rees nails the details of Mozart’s Vienna with precision, seasoning his story with musical details that will delight fans of classical music. The author renders Nannerl very sympathetic and teases in a touch of romance that is both bittersweet and unexpected. A beautiful book illuminated by the author’s own musical background that moves slowly and deliberately to a fine conclusion." -- Kirkus Reviews (starred review) "A resounding bravo. Beautifully written and diligently researched. Rees makes the musical realm of Mozart sparkle with intrigue."--Mystery Scene "Award-winning British novelist Matt Rees cleverly weaves music, crime, and conspiracy into a sumptuous historical whodunit, set against the decadent backdrop of 18th-century Vienna." -- Marie Claire "Mozart fans and code crackers will enjoy the clever musical riddle. A very readable historical mystery romp." -- The Times, London "Mozart, music, and murder seamlessly blend together in this fascinating historical mystery." -- Tess Gerritsen "In this engaging, well-paced book Mozart’s estranged sister travels to Vienna to investigate the mysterious circumstances of her brother’s sudden death. Combining Dan Brown or Elizabeth Kostova–style historical conspiracy theory with cozy detective novel, Rees’s latest offers a genuinely felt reverence for the power of Mozart’s music and its lasting impact in the world." -- Publishers Weekly "Rees delivers a fresh spin on the composer's demise." -- The Australian "A elegantly written and thoroughly researched crime story of 18th Century Vienna…If you love an intricate history-mystery, you’ll love this novel very much.” -- Historical Novel Review [Read more][Get the UK edition] [Get the US edition] "The Da Vinci Code, but this time with Masons and musical manuscripts." -- NPR "A stunning combination of mystery and meticulously researched historical fiction." -- Tasha Alexander Replete with biographical detail and musical references, this novel animates Mozart’s life and times with a varied cast of patrons, lovers, and villains. This absorbing Viennese soap opera is a solid choice for readers who like fiction about historical figures caught up in suspenseful intrigues such as Matthew Pearl’s The Dante Club or Gyles Brandreth’s Oscar Wilde mysteries. -- Library Journal |
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“Engrossing” – The New York
Times “Classic work” – Bookreporter “With a hint of Dan Brown's knack for infusing history and religion into a thrilling crime and mystery novel, Matt Rees successfully tells the story of a man with strong ideas and morals who is forced to accept that even the brightest of minds can allow a life of crime to overtake them. Keeping you guessing until the very end, Rees manages to keep readers on their toes, unsure of who to trust, but always sure that Omar Yussef is the good guy, and will uncover the truth.” – New York Examiner |
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“Thick
with atmosphere,memorable, unusual and the clearest possible proof that
mystery fiction can be moulded into any literary form and is often
highly instructive." – The Tablet “A wonderful detective thriller” – The New Republic “This is a rare crime novel” – Times Literary Supplement |
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“Yussef
is a wonderful creation”
– Colin Dexter,
author of the Inspector Morse mysteries “Rees has created a stunning sense of place and memorable characters for his impassioned story.” – The Sunday Telegraph “In its vivid portrayal of the violence and degradation of the Palestinian enclave of Gaza, Matt Rees's second book is outstanding.“ – The Economist “Matt Rees confirms his mastery of the genre” – Le Figaro. |
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“You
couldn’t do better than read Matt Rees’s thriller” – Sir
David Hare “Readable and literate… a vivid portrait of Palestinian life today” – The Washington Post “A superb and intelligent detective story” – The Mail on Sunday "Matt Rees has given us an incredible tapestry...It's a wonderful, wonderful book. A fantastically original book" -- BBC Radio 4 Front Row |
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“Sharply detailed
reporting” – The New York Times