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Andy Veracruz Mystery #4
Substitute Soloist
A reckless concertmaster, a determined conductor, and a priceless violin turn Andy Veracruz into a substitute soloist. Desperate to keep his new music job, mariachi violinist Andy agrees to chase after a runaway concertmaster accused of murder. He poses as a soloist, but what happens when the other musicians realize he's a fraud?
- GenresMystery
297 pages, Paperback
Published October 24, 2023
About the author
D.R. Ransdell
14 books51 followersD.R. Ransdell performs in a mariachi band where zealous customers, scheming musicians, and jealous spouses provide countless plots for the Andy Veracruz Mysteries. She also writes travel-themed fiction about the Campanello sisters. Her musical memoir is a tell-all about how she learned to play mariachi music. Yes, the names were changed to protect the guilty!
More recently, she set Party Wine in her cousins' village in the Old Country (Italy). She's about to release Dervla Alarms the Nanas, a Tucson-based mystery in which a young woman teams up with two nanas to solve domestic crimes.
D.R. resides in Tucson where she can swim outside all year long--and play pickleball! She’s currently drafting a mystery that takes place in Lugano, a beautiful Swiss lake town. To pay for plane tickets, she teaches first-year writing at the University of Arizona. https://www.dr-ransdell.com
Andy Veracruz Mysteries:
MARIACHI MEDDLER
ISLAND CASUALTY
DIZZY IN DURANGO
SUBSTITUTE SOLOIST
--
Travel-themed fiction:
AMIROSIAN NIGHTS (Greece)
THAI TWIST (Thai Twist)
--
Musical Memoir:
SECRETS OF A MARIACHI VIOLINIST
Cat Poetry:
THE SECRET LIVES OF THE PINK HOUSE CATS
More recently, she set Party Wine in her cousins' village in the Old Country (Italy). She's about to release Dervla Alarms the Nanas, a Tucson-based mystery in which a young woman teams up with two nanas to solve domestic crimes.
D.R. resides in Tucson where she can swim outside all year long--and play pickleball! She’s currently drafting a mystery that takes place in Lugano, a beautiful Swiss lake town. To pay for plane tickets, she teaches first-year writing at the University of Arizona. https://www.dr-ransdell.com
Andy Veracruz Mysteries:
MARIACHI MEDDLER
ISLAND CASUALTY
DIZZY IN DURANGO
SUBSTITUTE SOLOIST
--
Travel-themed fiction:
AMIROSIAN NIGHTS (Greece)
THAI TWIST (Thai Twist)
--
Musical Memoir:
SECRETS OF A MARIACHI VIOLINIST
Cat Poetry:
THE SECRET LIVES OF THE PINK HOUSE CATS
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
May 15, 2020
Getting accepted into an orchestra isn’t easy, and Andy knew it.
Andy did get accepted, but it seems like it was doomed from the beginning.
He had to stand in and do solos when the concertmaster, Liza, abruptly left, when she couldn't be found, and when she was thought to have murdered a board member.
He also catches the orchestra leader as his podium crashes to the ground. What is going on?
The worst thing is that Andy is asked by Moraes the orchestra leader to go to the Netherlands and look for the concertmaster and be a guest in an orchestra. It was a piece he didn't know how to play.
He didn't want to go, but did anyway. A trip to Europe was never in his plans so this would be good especially since he took his girlfriend who willing went.
We follow Andy as he looks for Liza, gets into trouble, solves the mystery, and still gets to play his violin.
I enjoyed Andy’s antics and his troubles.
This book was light, enjoyable, and actually comical, but it did drag a bit at the end.
Violinists and music fans will definitely enjoy SUBSTITUTE SOLOIST. 4/5
This book was given to me by the author in exchange for an honest review.
Andy did get accepted, but it seems like it was doomed from the beginning.
He had to stand in and do solos when the concertmaster, Liza, abruptly left, when she couldn't be found, and when she was thought to have murdered a board member.
He also catches the orchestra leader as his podium crashes to the ground. What is going on?
The worst thing is that Andy is asked by Moraes the orchestra leader to go to the Netherlands and look for the concertmaster and be a guest in an orchestra. It was a piece he didn't know how to play.
He didn't want to go, but did anyway. A trip to Europe was never in his plans so this would be good especially since he took his girlfriend who willing went.
We follow Andy as he looks for Liza, gets into trouble, solves the mystery, and still gets to play his violin.
I enjoyed Andy’s antics and his troubles.
This book was light, enjoyable, and actually comical, but it did drag a bit at the end.
Violinists and music fans will definitely enjoy SUBSTITUTE SOLOIST. 4/5
This book was given to me by the author in exchange for an honest review.
September 10, 2019
D.R. Ransdell continues to deliver an action-packed mystery with all the elements I look for in an entertaining read—tension, humor and education—this time about the world of the professional orchestra.
Her main character, Andy Veracruz, is once again entangled in trouble, mostly due to his good heart. Frustrated in his attempt to find a gig as a mariachi violinist, Andy gets a position as a violinist for the symphony orchestra. When the orchestra’s emotional and headstrong concertmistress goes missing, Andy’s recruited by the conductor to help find her. This takes him on a rollicking adventure throughout Europe, fearful he’ll be discovered as a fraud as a violinist, and uncertain where the concertmistress is hiding…and why.
In her first three mysteries, I loved learning about the world of mariachi. In Substitute Soloist, I learned about the life of a violinist in an orchestra. Ransdell orchestrates a good plot, mixing Andy’s often humorous love troubles with solving the mystery, while showing us some good international scenery along the way.
Her main character, Andy Veracruz, is once again entangled in trouble, mostly due to his good heart. Frustrated in his attempt to find a gig as a mariachi violinist, Andy gets a position as a violinist for the symphony orchestra. When the orchestra’s emotional and headstrong concertmistress goes missing, Andy’s recruited by the conductor to help find her. This takes him on a rollicking adventure throughout Europe, fearful he’ll be discovered as a fraud as a violinist, and uncertain where the concertmistress is hiding…and why.
In her first three mysteries, I loved learning about the world of mariachi. In Substitute Soloist, I learned about the life of a violinist in an orchestra. Ransdell orchestrates a good plot, mixing Andy’s often humorous love troubles with solving the mystery, while showing us some good international scenery along the way.
May 5, 2019
It’s a trip to the drama of the classical world! I loved following infamous mariachi violinist (Andy Veracruz) to TucAz Symphony through finding friends fast and catching all the dirt on the dramatically last-minute Liza (Domingo- the world-famous conductor’s- vice.)
A murder then occurs and it’s a chase around the globe for Andy to assist the distressed Domingo. Find out the sordid details of it all!
A murder then occurs and it’s a chase around the globe for Andy to assist the distressed Domingo. Find out the sordid details of it all!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 26, 2019
I have read this whole series, and while the first three were closer to a Cozy, this book is solidly in the Mystery genre.
The author has added a lot of depth to not only the main character, Andy but also to the story. The reader is given enriched backgrounds and moments of surprise in the way they present character reactions. This was a nice enhancement to what I think is already a great series.
The author has added a lot of depth to not only the main character, Andy but also to the story. The reader is given enriched backgrounds and moments of surprise in the way they present character reactions. This was a nice enhancement to what I think is already a great series.
March 18, 2024
This was my second foray into the charming books crafted by D. R. Ransdell, having previously enjoyed her first book "Amirosian Nights." Amid the backdrop of the COVID-19 pandemic, "Substitute Soloist" provided a much-needed escape into a realm of mystery and intrigue. After recently finishing and reviewing Ransdell’s latest book, “Party Wine,” I felt compelled to share my belated thoughts on this gem of a novel.
In "Substitute Soloist," the fourth installment of D. R. Ransdell's Andy Veracruz Mystery series, readers are invited to experience an orchestral symphony of suspense, humor, and musical education. While this action-packed mystery is firmly rooted in the professional orchestra world, it also takes readers on a captivating journey through a maze of intrigue as Andy Veracruz finds himself thrust into a role he feels ill-prepared for, following his orchestra leader, Moraes.
Ransdell cleverly intertwines tension, humor, and educational insights, making "Substitute Soloist" an entertaining read from cover to cover. As Andy attempts to step into his boss's shoes, he becomes entangled in a baffling series of events, encountering a colorful cast of characters, including a peculiar woman, a whimsical conductor, a jealous girlfriend, and a shadowy murderer. These encounters propel Andy through the labyrinthine world of professional orchestras, testing his mettle at every turn.
One of the strengths of "Substitute Soloist" lies in its vividly drawn characters, each with their own quirks and motivations. Ransdell's ability to breathe life into these characters adds depth and richness to the narrative, keeping readers engaged until the last page.
Despite its strengths, "Substitute Soloist" may pose a challenge for readers less versed in musical terminology or the intricacies of orchestral dynamics. As someone not inherently musically inclined, I occasionally grappled with the story's music-oriented themes. However, Ransdell's deft handling of these elements ultimately enriched the story, offering an immersive glimpse into the world of professional orchestras.
The plot unfolds briskly, with twists and turns that keep readers on their toes. As Andy stumbles from clue to clue, attempting to make sense of the chaos surrounding him, readers are drawn deeper into the mystery, eagerly piecing together the puzzle alongside our brave protagonist. Meanwhile, Ransdell's attention to detail shines through in her portrayal of the professional orchestra world. From the inner workings of rehearsals to the intricacies of musical performance, she treats readers to a fascinating glimpse behind the scenes of this captivating world.
Overall, "Substitute Soloist" is a delightful addition to the Andy Veracruz Mystery series, blending suspense, humor, and a love for music into a compelling story. Whether you're a seasoned fan of cozy murder mysteries or simply seeking an entertaining read, "Substitute Soloist" is sure to hit all the right notes.
In "Substitute Soloist," the fourth installment of D. R. Ransdell's Andy Veracruz Mystery series, readers are invited to experience an orchestral symphony of suspense, humor, and musical education. While this action-packed mystery is firmly rooted in the professional orchestra world, it also takes readers on a captivating journey through a maze of intrigue as Andy Veracruz finds himself thrust into a role he feels ill-prepared for, following his orchestra leader, Moraes.
Ransdell cleverly intertwines tension, humor, and educational insights, making "Substitute Soloist" an entertaining read from cover to cover. As Andy attempts to step into his boss's shoes, he becomes entangled in a baffling series of events, encountering a colorful cast of characters, including a peculiar woman, a whimsical conductor, a jealous girlfriend, and a shadowy murderer. These encounters propel Andy through the labyrinthine world of professional orchestras, testing his mettle at every turn.
One of the strengths of "Substitute Soloist" lies in its vividly drawn characters, each with their own quirks and motivations. Ransdell's ability to breathe life into these characters adds depth and richness to the narrative, keeping readers engaged until the last page.
Despite its strengths, "Substitute Soloist" may pose a challenge for readers less versed in musical terminology or the intricacies of orchestral dynamics. As someone not inherently musically inclined, I occasionally grappled with the story's music-oriented themes. However, Ransdell's deft handling of these elements ultimately enriched the story, offering an immersive glimpse into the world of professional orchestras.
The plot unfolds briskly, with twists and turns that keep readers on their toes. As Andy stumbles from clue to clue, attempting to make sense of the chaos surrounding him, readers are drawn deeper into the mystery, eagerly piecing together the puzzle alongside our brave protagonist. Meanwhile, Ransdell's attention to detail shines through in her portrayal of the professional orchestra world. From the inner workings of rehearsals to the intricacies of musical performance, she treats readers to a fascinating glimpse behind the scenes of this captivating world.
Overall, "Substitute Soloist" is a delightful addition to the Andy Veracruz Mystery series, blending suspense, humor, and a love for music into a compelling story. Whether you're a seasoned fan of cozy murder mysteries or simply seeking an entertaining read, "Substitute Soloist" is sure to hit all the right notes.
October 26, 2019
Substitute Soloist is the fourth book in the Andy Veracruz series. Following Andy’s adventures makes for an entertaining way to spend your time whether on a beach or curled up in front of a roaring fire. The reader follows Andy from Tucson to Lyon to Deft to San Luis Potosí as he follows Moraes, his orchestra leader, at times trying to fill in for his boss, a task way above his pay grade. A bizarre woman, a whimsical conductor, a jealous girlfriend, a mysterious murder are just a few of the problems Andy encounters as he stumbles along attempting to make sense out of what is happening around him. An added bonus to this read is one’s introduction to the Mariachi scene and a peek into the inner workings of an orchestra.
August 1, 2022
I loved following Andy Veracruz through his journey from mariachi violinist to concert soloist, and the price he has to pay for that coveted position. The mystery takes him to other countries, and there are many humorous moments as he tries to fool other musicians into believing he's more qualified than he is. Or at least thinks he is. Author Ransdell did an amazing job of describing a musicians performing in and exciting way. This isn't the first in the series. I will have to go back to the others, but I think this may remain my favorite.
February 23, 2024
Enjoyable but slightly convoluted mystery feature in Andy Veracruz, a mariachi player who is trying to join the Tucson symphony. As someone who occasionally attends the symphony I quite enjoyed the behind the scenes look at the rehearsals and performances. The mystery was a bit nuts in that for some reason Andy was incapable of saying no to anyone and found himself flying around the world to track down someone who probably murdered the symphony board president. It was amusing but hard to believe.
December 14, 2019
I really enjoyed this mystery! Andy was a great main character and I loved learning about his time in the Tucson orchestra, among others. This was the first book of this series that I have read and now I plan to go back and start at the beginning! You can read my official review at https://forums.onlinebookclub.org/vie....
December 2, 2020
Adventure abounds in this riveting story that keeps Andy Veracruz on all of his toes at once while he travels to Europe for his next gig!
February 18, 2023
Review to follow. It is cold and snowing here and my brain has turned to molasses.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews