Review by Kathleen Costa
Details at the end of this post on how to enter to win a copy of the book and a link to purchase it.
Murder in the Key of D-elightful!Kepelmeister Joseph Haydn is essentially the composer to the stars, and at the behest of the Empress Maria Theresa, he is arranging a repeat performance of his Le pescatrici, this time in Vienna. However, it is not without obstacles. Co-regent Emperor Joseph doesn’t approve of the extravagance, and inserts a few sour notes causing Haydn to question whether or not he can pull off the performance to the Empress’s expectations. Loretta Renier, the prima donna sent by the impresario of the Burgtheater Herr Affligio, is to be the principal singer, but she is woefully inadequate. However, Emperor Joseph’s seal of approval and her being the preferred Viennese makes it complicated to resolve. How can Haydn arrange to have her reassigned to a less spotlighted role or replaced outright without serious dissent? Even his efforts to have Herr Affligio assistance failed to change the matter.
Prince Nikolaus Esterházy, Joseph Haydn’s employer and benefactor, is from one of the wealthiest Hungarian noble families, and when the horrific news of Herr Giuseppe Affligio’s murder is made public, he rushes to see Haydn. Haydn is a well-known composer, of course, but he has also shown himself to be a virtuoso-detective, but instead of asking Haydn to investigate the matter, he has other ideas. The performance must go on! Hayden will take on the role of impresario of the Burgtheater making him too busy to investigate. But, the man so quickly arrested because he had a major public confrontation with the victim and was the last to see him alive is Leopold Mozart (yes, father of that Mozart) and Haydn’s brother Michael’s close friend. His brother fervently claims his friend’s innocence and Haydn is acutely aware that saying “no” or “I’m too busy” to his brother is not an option. The investigation must go on!
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Murder Backstage Earns 5/5 Theatrical Traps…Engaging & Clever!
Nurpur Tustin has composed an intriguing mystery deep in the eighteenth-century music community and rich with a complex plot and entertaining characters that include some historical figures (Be sure to read Author’s Note). This fourth book is well written with a short introduction, quick reveal of the crime, major focus on the investigation, plenty of red herrings, and a surprise, clever conclusion not without some peril. Haydn finds himself exploring the inner workings of the Burgtheater highlighting suspicious behavior, cutthroat attitudes, and bringing into question the quality of Herr Affligio’s management skill, the theater’s finances and contracts, and what if any of this is known by superiors. Treading lightly is a must, but whether political or personal, it is an exciting journey. I truly enjoyed the two maids, Greta and, especially Rosalie, who find themselves in the middle of the drama again. Rosalie is herself clever and the two are relied on to provide support, covert attention, and a bit of play acting when necessary for the final arrest to be made. Nurpur’s writing style is very entertaining and descriptive with a cadence in the narrative and dialogue that along with a fascinating level of research envelopes one in the late 1700s. This series is definitely a contender for Top Reads for 2022!
Joseph Haydn Mystery
A Minor Deception (2016)
Aria to Death (2017)
Prussian Counterpoint (2019)
Murder Backstage (2022)
Newsletter subscribers (ntustin.com) receive Murder in Vienna free from her Joseph Hayden Mystery series. Enjoy a short story from Haydn’s youth The Baker’s Boy along with A Whiff of Murder, Anna’s Potion, and a Bach story The Kantor’s Passion. Each story is clever and engaging and the perfect length to fill up those waiting in line delays.
Be a Big Fan of Nupur Tustin!
“Author, composer, painter, and homeschooling mom” along with a PhD in Communications seem the perfect skill set for Nupur Tustin to pen two exciting mystery series. Employing some engaging literary license she wrote the Joseph Haydn Mysteries, an historical mystery putting Austrian composer Joseph Haydn in the role of an amateur sleuth, and also wrote a compelling thriller Celine Skye Psychic Mystery series.
Website—Nupur Tustin Newsletter subscribers receive two books: Murder in Vienna (Joseph Haydn Mystery) and Murder in the Sun (Celine Skye Psychic Mystery).
To enter to win a copy of Murder Backstage, simply email KRL at krlcontests@gmail[dot]com by replacing the [dot] with a period, and with the subject line "backstage,” or comment on this article. A winner will be chosen July 23, 2022. US residents only and you must be 18 or older to enter. If entering via email please include your mailing address in case you win. If entering via comment please include your email address so we can contact you. 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! A new episode goes up next week.
You can use these links to purchase the book or click here. If you have adblocker on you may not be able to see the Amazon link:
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.Kathleen Costa is a long-time resident of the Central Valley, and although born in Idaho, she considers herself a “California Girl.” Graduating from CSU-Sacramento, she is a 35+ year veteran teacher having taught in grades 1-8 in schools from Sacramento to Los Angeles to Stockton to Lodi. Currently Kathleen is enjoying her retirement revitalizing hobbies along with exploring writing, reading for pleasure, and spending 24/7 with her husband.
Mary Holshouser
ReplyDeleteSounds interesting. A different setting
and time frame from many of the books
I read. thanks txmlhl(at)yahoo(dot)com
I think you'll enjoy it, Mary! I especially loved researching the backstage operations of eighteenth-century opera for this book. And getting to watch some of the works on DVD was an added benefit! Nupur
Delete"Murder Backstage" by Nupur Tustin sounds like a book that will strike the perfect note for lovers of music and mysteries.
ReplyDeleteNancy
allibrary (at) aol (dot) com
That's certainly been my hope, Nancy, that people who enjoy music and mysteries will love this series! Apart from that, Haydn's life, his rise to success and the modesty that never left him, serves as an inspiration to us all! Nupur
DeleteThis sounds really different! Count me in!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Glen. This is the fourth book in the series, and they’ve all been fun to write! Nupur Tustin
DeleteI do enjoy 18th centry books and British mysteries. This sounds like it contains all of it..
ReplyDeleteI enjoy books set in the 18th century as well! Nupur
DeleteThanks for all the great idea for reading pleasure.
ReplyDeleteYes, KRL Giveaways are great, aren’t they? So many delightful mysteries to choose from! Nupur
DeleteNew author for me, sounds good! tWarner419@aol.com
ReplyDeleteGlad to hear you've discovered a new series to enjoy! There are four books in the series and an anthology of short stories that subscribers get when they sign up to my newsletter. So you can get a taste of Haydn's detecting skills. Nupur Tustin
DeleteInteresting
ReplyDeleteThanks! I'm glad you think so. Haydn was such a fascinating man and the time period is quite intriguing as well! I always enjoy researching this series and spending time in Haydn's world. Nupur Tustin
DeleteI am interested in reading about the 18th Century Music Society
ReplyDeleteYes, the eighteenth-century was a fascinating time period, one I especially like because of the focus on music. Music was important--required for the church, for town functions such as funerals and weddings, for other ceremonies such as visits from dignitaries. That's probably why you could find "professional" musicians who weren't necessarily very good! It's something Leopold Mozart often complains of in his letters. Nupur Tustin
DeleteThis historical mystery has all the elements readers want: rich, historical setting, complex characters, and a intriguing whodunit. I would love to read this book!
ReplyDeleteI love the enticing way you describe the book, Lisa! It was a joy to research and write. Nupur Tustin.
DeleteWould like to read this book. Thank you for this opportunity.
ReplyDeleteGlad you decided to enter, Martha! Do check out the other books in the series as well as the anthology of Haydn short stories on my website ntustin.com Nupur
DeleteThis sounds like a very unique and intriguing book! Neesie315@yahoo.com
ReplyDeleteSounds absolutely intriguing. This author is superb
ReplyDeleteNew author to me. Would really like to read the book.
ReplyDeletediannekc8(at)gmail(dot)com
This sounds really good! legallyblonde1961@yahoo.com
ReplyDeleteThis sounds right up my alley! Thank you.
ReplyDeleteWe have a winner! This is Lorie Ham
ReplyDelete