“Prussian Counterpoint" By Nupur Tustin: Review/Giveaway

by Doward Wilson

Details on how to win a copy of this book at the end of the review and a link to purchase it.

Welcome to the world of the Imperial Courts in the late 1700s. Frederick the Great was the King of Prussia, Catherine the Great was Czarina of all of the Russias, and Maria Theresa was the Hapsburg Empress of Austria-Hungary. Kapellmeister Joseph Haydn was the composer in the court of Prince Nikolaus Esterhazy who was a close friend of Empress Maria Theresa’s.

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At the request of King Frederick, the Empress Maria Theresa, Prince Esterhazy, and Joseph Haydn have been asked to a political meeting in Potsdam, Prussia. While there Joseph will be able to meet the composer Bach who has long been an idol of his. The Empress and Esterhazy are sure that the meeting has to do with Prussia and Russia wanting to divide Poland between them and Austria-Hungary. But they didn't know why Joseph's presence was being requested since Frederick had no great love of Joseph's compositions. What machinations was the King up to?

On the night of their arrival in Potsdam, their host Count Ludwig Von Seckendorff, the Austrian Imperial Ambassador to Prussia, is murdered after dining with his guests at King Frederick's palace. Haydn and his brother Johann discover the Count's brutally murdered body in the vestibule of the Catholic Church he attended. Secreted on the Count's body they find a rare and precious diamond which had supposedly been stolen during the previous night's dinner party. Was the ambassador nothing but a common thief? Joseph and Johann set out to discover the truth and find the murderer. Then another courtier is murdered, this one working for Frederick. What intrigue has Frederick pulled them into? Who is the mysterious woman shadowing their every move working for…Frederick, Russia or someone in Austria? Discovering that the two murdered men had been transferring Prussian secrets to the Austrian Empress brings Joseph and Johann into the world of spycraft and secret messages. With the help of two of their household maids who had traveled with them, they are able to discover the secret information and the real murderer and other traitors in their midst.

I found this to be a rousing historical cozy that grabbed my attention with the first page. The historical characters are well portrayed in this cozy mystery and quite likable. The background is very accurate, and the descriptions of the characters and settings are very well drawn. Cozy fans and history buffs will both find lots of enjoyment in this well done book.

To enter to win a copy of Prussian Counterpoint, simply email KRL at krlcontests@gmail[dot]com by replacing the [dot] with a period, and with the subject line "counterpoint,” or comment on this article. A winner will be chosen March 9, 2019. U.S. residents only. If entering via comment please include your email address. If entering via email please include your mailing address in case you win. You can read our privacy statement here if you like.

Check out other mystery articles, reviews, book giveaways & mystery short stories in our mystery section in Kings River Life and in our mystery category here on KRL News & Reviews. And join our mystery Facebook group to keep up with everything mystery we post, and have a chance at some extra giveaways. And check out our new mystery podcast which features mystery short stories and first chapters read by local actors! New episode goes up next week.

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Doward Wilson is a retired and avid cozy, paranormal, and adventure reader who can’t say no to most books. He recently moved from Independence, Missouri to Gladbrook, Iowa. Located in Central Iowa, Gladbrook (population 900+) is small town, rural farming at its best.

Disclosure: This post contains links to an affiliate program, for which we receive a few cents if you make purchases. KRL also receives free copies of most of the books that it reviews, that are provided in exchange for an honest review of the book.