"Murder Backstage" By Nupur Tustin: Review/Giveaway

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.


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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!

Image Source Foiled Plots Press

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.

Facebook—Nupur Tustin, Author

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:

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.
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.

Comments

  1. Mary Holshouser
    Sounds interesting. A different setting
    and time frame from many of the books
    I read. thanks txmlhl(at)yahoo(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. 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

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  2. "Murder Backstage" by Nupur Tustin sounds like a book that will strike the perfect note for lovers of music and mysteries.

    Nancy
    allibrary (at) aol (dot) com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. 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

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  3. This sounds really different! Count me in!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Glen. This is the fourth book in the series, and they’ve all been fun to write! Nupur Tustin

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  4. I do enjoy 18th centry books and British mysteries. This sounds like it contains all of it..

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I enjoy books set in the 18th century as well! Nupur

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  5. Thanks for all the great idea for reading pleasure.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes, KRL Giveaways are great, aren’t they? So many delightful mysteries to choose from! Nupur

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  6. New author for me, sounds good! tWarner419@aol.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Glad 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

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  7. Replies
    1. Thanks! 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

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  8. I am interested in reading about the 18th Century Music Society

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    Replies
    1. Yes, 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

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  9. This historical mystery has all the elements readers want: rich, historical setting, complex characters, and a intriguing whodunit. I would love to read this book!

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    Replies
    1. I love the enticing way you describe the book, Lisa! It was a joy to research and write. Nupur Tustin.

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  10. Would like to read this book. Thank you for this opportunity.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Glad 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

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  11. This sounds like a very unique and intriguing book! Neesie315@yahoo.com

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  12. Sounds absolutely intriguing. This author is superb

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  13. New author to me. Would really like to read the book.
    diannekc8(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  14. This sounds really good! legallyblonde1961@yahoo.com

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  15. This sounds right up my alley! Thank you.

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  16. We have a winner! This is Lorie Ham

    ReplyDelete

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