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Staccato (Steven Hawk/Inola Walela Mysteries #1)
by
Deborah J. Ledford (Goodreads Author)
When acclaimed pianist Nicholas Kalman discovers his lover’s dead body, he sets out alone to find her killer. During his journey, he meets an unwitting female accomplice who soon becomes determined to help Nicholas wield his retaliation. Following a parallel path for justice, Steven Hawk, the deputy of a sleepy Southern county, is assigned to the case. Pursuing the investi...more
Paperback, 310 pages
Published
2009
by Second Wind Publishing
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Review by Melissa Cornwell
First, I would like to say that I enjoyed Staccato very much. It was a very intense adventure right from the beginning. The characters were very enjoyable, especially Nicholas. He was a very convincing character, and I felt for him the entire way. I just really liked the intensity of the novel. It was to the point, and I liked that about it. I also felt that the background behind the story was thoroughly explained. As mentioned in the acknowledgments, a lot of research...more
First, I would like to say that I enjoyed Staccato very much. It was a very intense adventure right from the beginning. The characters were very enjoyable, especially Nicholas. He was a very convincing character, and I felt for him the entire way. I just really liked the intensity of the novel. It was to the point, and I liked that about it. I also felt that the background behind the story was thoroughly explained. As mentioned in the acknowledgments, a lot of research...more
This novel reads to its own inner score of classics expertly played on the piano. Staccato by Deborah J Ledford is set in the beautiful scenery of the Smoky Mountains and revolves around the mansion and summer home of super-rich musician Alexander Kalman. Kalman was born in Hungary. Afflicted with a club foot, but blessed with music, and empowered by an enormous drive to succeed, he now supervises the musical careers of two young men, Nicholas who his sister adopted many years ago, and Timothy w...more
Three world-class pianists.
Two possible killers.
One dead woman.
Who is her murderer?
Who will be next?
When acclaimed pianist Nicholas Kalman discovers his lover’s dead body, he sets out alone to find her killer. During his journey, he meets an unwitting female accomplice who soon becomes determined to help Nicholas wield his retaliation. Following a parallel path for justice, Steven Hawk, the deputy of a sleepy Southern county, is assigned to the case. Pursuing the investigation, Hawk finds himse...more
Two possible killers.
One dead woman.
Who is her murderer?
Who will be next?
When acclaimed pianist Nicholas Kalman discovers his lover’s dead body, he sets out alone to find her killer. During his journey, he meets an unwitting female accomplice who soon becomes determined to help Nicholas wield his retaliation. Following a parallel path for justice, Steven Hawk, the deputy of a sleepy Southern county, is assigned to the case. Pursuing the investigation, Hawk finds himse...more
"Staccato" is staccato: sharp, crisp, almost percussive--like gun shots, like a cane tapping on the floor or striking a shoulder, like light reflected off a black Porsche Targa, like the piercing cold of a Great Smoky Mountains night.
Two years into his career as a world-class concert pianist, young Nicholas Kalman finds his absent father's journal. It's written as a warning to Nicholas, or perhaps a confession. "Beware of this man you call, Uncle," it says.
The uncle is Alexander, the tyrannical,...more
Two years into his career as a world-class concert pianist, young Nicholas Kalman finds his absent father's journal. It's written as a warning to Nicholas, or perhaps a confession. "Beware of this man you call, Uncle," it says.
The uncle is Alexander, the tyrannical,...more
This mystery had me in its grip from the first chapter. I know this series is supposed to be about the detectives, and although I haven't read the second installment, the first book was definately about Nicholas, and Hawk and Stiles were supporting players. I liked the Nicholas character a lot, his rebellion and realizations about his own life and lack of interest in most parts of it were the most fascinating facets of this story.
This book is touted as a Hawk/Inola story, but Inola was mentione...more
This book is touted as a Hawk/Inola story, but Inola was mentione...more
Great little drama, rich, rather well performed and well meant to be scary in ways drama strikes a reader in these genres. A little incidental in places. Or too roughish. A few questions still aroused my imagination as the story began its transformation into a mystery even when we know who is who and who wants what and what it really cost at the end. Back at the first we are introduced into the beginning of lovers of the life of Nicholas and his realization that there is certainly more in life t...more
When two young pianists live under the same roof, are carefully groomed for stardom by their ‘uncle’ and share a hard competitive edge jealousy is bound to rear its ugly head. When the more accomplished of the two, Nicholas, appears to have the winning hand then the other, Timothy, takes every pleasure in bring him down a notch.
When this comeuppance involves the death of Nicolas’ lover and his own near murder he has to fake memory loss to get enough time to gather the information he needs to get...more
When this comeuppance involves the death of Nicolas’ lover and his own near murder he has to fake memory loss to get enough time to gather the information he needs to get...more
Enter the world of Nicholas Kalman. He's in love, his career as a concert pianist is flourishing, and seems to have it all. His world is shattered in one night when he finds the dead body of his girlfriend in the back of his car. Confused, grieving, and not at all thinking clearly he panics and sets into motion events that will change his life and those around him forever.
I was interested in reading this book for many reasons: (1) it was recommended to me as a book that I would enjoy, (2) its setting is in an area of western North Carolina that is near and dear to my heart and (3) I have known the author's mother since I was a child. The book was great! I loved the piano connection and the story line definitely held my attention.
First of all, I loved the setting of the Great Smoky Mountains of North Carolina -- my favorite place!
I had a little bit of a rough time getting into the story because the dialogue seemed so formal, but once I got into the rhythm of it I was much more comfortable with enjoying the story. It's a good mystery and I loaned it to my neighbor (just got it back!) and she liked it, too.
I would enjoy reading more by by this author!
I would like to add my thanks to author Deborah Ledford for taking the ti...more
I had a little bit of a rough time getting into the story because the dialogue seemed so formal, but once I got into the rhythm of it I was much more comfortable with enjoying the story. It's a good mystery and I loaned it to my neighbor (just got it back!) and she liked it, too.
I would enjoy reading more by by this author!
I would like to add my thanks to author Deborah Ledford for taking the ti...more
This novel held mystery, suspense, murder and much much more. I loved the connection with the piano. The dimension of the characters was great. You always wonder how far someone will go for power and money...this book unvailed that story line. What I felt was really well written was Nicholas' desperation and need for Jessica's help. With not a sole in the world he could turn to, he turned to a stranger. Spoiler The one question I had and it was never answered was if Sampte did try to run Nichola...more
Literary, thoughtful. Character and plot development are immaculate. The southern mountain setting was well chosen. A winner. Buy it. Read it. You won't be sorry.
Aug 05, 2010
Cara
marked it as to-read
Author does book club call-ins.
Thriller/mystery set in NC...author native American
Thriller/mystery set in NC...author native American
Loved this book! Musical connections are awesome!
Excellent book. A well crafted mystery with memorable characters. Great pacing, intrigue, and plot. Well done.
I received this book as a First-Reads winner giveaway. It was an enjoyable read and though parts of it seemed to drag along (for example, I am not a fan of authors who write about every detail of a character's clothing- it's too "American Psycho" for me), it overall was a good thriller novel to curl up in the evening and read. Can't really beat the price either :) I would recommend this to anyone who enjoys thriller novels.
A very fast paced, hard to put down title with a solid story, and well defined characters full of emotion. I was entertained by Ledford's use of classical music to set the mood of each scene. The only thing I think would kick this title up a notch is if it had it's own soundtrack on CD set into the back of the book. However, this would work great as an audio book as well.
Great read~though I liked the second book in the series better and that may have something to do with the fact that I read the second book first. Did that make sense?
Definitely worth the read!
Can hardly wait for the third in the series!!
Definitely worth the read!
Can hardly wait for the third in the series!!
Suspenseful and just quirky enough to be fascinating. This book's a page turner of the kind where you are just dying for some evil jackass to get what's deserved. The plot has a few good twists and the ending was satisfying. Good writing all around.
Apr 20, 2011
Michelle. Tsunami.
marked it as to-read
So I won this from one of Goodread's giveaways and I used my cousin's in the USA address. So I don't have the book yet and so therefore I can't read it and then write the review. D:
I won Staccato from First Reads. I am looking forward to reading it now that it's arrived.
May 17, 2013
Renee
marked it as to-read
May 07, 2013
Zara
marked it as to-read
May 06, 2013
Sam Castleberry
marked it as to-read
May 06, 2013
Caroline
marked it as to-read
Apr 26, 2013
Kaethe
marked it as to-read
Apr 08, 2013
Moooma
marked it as to-read
Apr 07, 2013
John Dolan
marked it as to-read
| topics | posts | views | last activity | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Second Wind Publi...: * Book Discussion -- STACCATO by Deborah J Ledford | 1 | 3 | May 04, 2013 05:43pm | |
| Second Wind Publi...: * Book Discussion -- SNARE by Deborah J Ledford | 2 | 6 | Feb 05, 2013 10:04am |
Deborah is the author of the Steven Hawk/Inola Walela suspense series, including: CRESCENDO, SNARE--The Hillerman Sky Award Finalist, and Finalist for the New Mexico-Arizona Book Awards in the Mystery / Suspense category, and STACCATO from Second Wind Publishing.
Also a writer of short stories, she is a three-time nominee for the Pushcart Prize and her award-winning stories appear in numerous print...more
More about Deborah J. Ledford...
Also a writer of short stories, she is a three-time nominee for the Pushcart Prize and her award-winning stories appear in numerous print...more
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Aug 04, 2011 11:10am