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Joseph Haydn Mystery #1
A Minor Deception
Kapellmeister Joseph Haydn would like nothing better than to show his principal violinist, Bartó Daboczi, the door. But with the Empress Maria Theresa’s visit scheduled in three weeks, Haydn can ill-afford to lose his surly virtuoso.
But when Bartó disappears—along with all the music composed for the imperial visit—the Kapellmeister is forced to don the role of Kapell-detective, or risk losing his job.
Before long Haydn's search uncovers pieces of a disturbing puzzle. Bartó, it appears, is more than just a petty thief—and more dangerous. And what seemed like a minor musical mishap could modulate into a major political catastrophe unless Haydn can find his missing virtuoso.
But when Bartó disappears—along with all the music composed for the imperial visit—the Kapellmeister is forced to don the role of Kapell-detective, or risk losing his job.
Before long Haydn's search uncovers pieces of a disturbing puzzle. Bartó, it appears, is more than just a petty thief—and more dangerous. And what seemed like a minor musical mishap could modulate into a major political catastrophe unless Haydn can find his missing virtuoso.
270 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 15, 2016
12 people are currently reading
416 people want to read
About the author
Nupur Tustin
22 books121 followersA former journalist, Nupur Tustin relies upon a Ph.D. in Communication and an M.A. in English to orchestrate fictional mayhem. Childhood piano lessons and a 1903 Weber Upright share equal blame for her musical works.
Haydn Series: www.ntustin.com
Music: www.ntustin.musicaneo.com
Haydn Series: www.ntustin.com
Music: www.ntustin.musicaneo.com
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
July 1, 2022
A Minor Deception Earns 5/5 Violin Solos…Engaging & Creative Gem!
“A Minor Deception” is a major delight! It’s a complex task for an author to take an historical figure and add fictional elements, but Nurpur Tustin did well to maintain historical accuracy and include principal figures and events important for context all while creating a fascinating, fictional mystery. Kepelmeister Joseph Haydn is preparing for the royal visit of Empress Maria Theresa, but his principal violinist is acting more like a virtuoso-zilla. Bartó Daboczi is causing too many problems to overlook: complaining about Haydn’s composition, bullying members of the orchestra, and threatening townspeople. Haydn is reluctant to reprimand or dismiss him, not because of his brother’s recommendation to hire Bartó, but because there is no time to find a replacement of Bartó’s ability with the musical event set only a couple of weeks away. So, is it fortuitous or not when Bartó goes missing? And what does it mean all the music for the royal event is also missing?
Nurpur Tustin has created a complex, yet easily read, well-paced mystery with hidden motivations, secret identities, murder, and a plot of great import to the nobility. Several historical figures (check the Cast of Characters for details) are incorporated into the drama with many surprises and twists beginning with an overture of petty theft and crescendoing to political intrigue. The characters are diverse in class, gender, and personality, yet illustrate well the eighteenth-century society. Music, of course, is a main element with references to arranging a performance, structure of the orchestra, and describe a character’s personality or behavior in musical terms. Don’t skip the “Notes From the Author” that provides fascinating historical context and insights into characters.
“A Minor Deception” is a major delight! It’s a complex task for an author to take an historical figure and add fictional elements, but Nurpur Tustin did well to maintain historical accuracy and include principal figures and events important for context all while creating a fascinating, fictional mystery. Kepelmeister Joseph Haydn is preparing for the royal visit of Empress Maria Theresa, but his principal violinist is acting more like a virtuoso-zilla. Bartó Daboczi is causing too many problems to overlook: complaining about Haydn’s composition, bullying members of the orchestra, and threatening townspeople. Haydn is reluctant to reprimand or dismiss him, not because of his brother’s recommendation to hire Bartó, but because there is no time to find a replacement of Bartó’s ability with the musical event set only a couple of weeks away. So, is it fortuitous or not when Bartó goes missing? And what does it mean all the music for the royal event is also missing?
Nurpur Tustin has created a complex, yet easily read, well-paced mystery with hidden motivations, secret identities, murder, and a plot of great import to the nobility. Several historical figures (check the Cast of Characters for details) are incorporated into the drama with many surprises and twists beginning with an overture of petty theft and crescendoing to political intrigue. The characters are diverse in class, gender, and personality, yet illustrate well the eighteenth-century society. Music, of course, is a main element with references to arranging a performance, structure of the orchestra, and describe a character’s personality or behavior in musical terms. Don’t skip the “Notes From the Author” that provides fascinating historical context and insights into characters.
January 8, 2019
”A Minor Deception” is a historical fiction mystery of Kapellmeister Joseph Haydn taking place in the 1700’s. Haydn is furiously working on music planned for the upcoming visit of Empress Maria Theresa. Haydn is forced to hire a disagreeable bad tempered first violinist, Barto’ Dabocz, who tries to extort more money from Haydn and doesn’t get it. Barto suddenly disappears under suspicious circumstances , taking a prized violin and all the music. Now Haydn has to become an amateur sleuth with the aid of his two brothers Johann and Michael. There is plenty of building facts and twists. Especially liked the details of the clothing, palace furnishing and about his life other than composing.
July 5, 2017
I liked the setting and the use of Haydn as the "detective" of the story. This was a musically and politically rich era but I found the mysteries to be a bit dull and underwhelming. I would have liked more character development, but perhaps this will happen in forthcoming books -- this volume had a large cast of flat characters and even Haydn was difficult to connect to despite being the main character. Overall, a diverting read for musicians; perhaps not so much for general mystery/historical fiction fans.
February 23, 2017
I won a free copy of this book with no promise that I would review it. This review is because I enjoyed the story and want to recommend it to other mystery fans. Tustin begins with a cast of characters and tells the reader which are real and which fictitious - extremely helpful since there are a lot of characters. I particularly liked the way the plot unfolded bit by bit as I saw events from the points of view of different characters, revealing different facets of an intricate story taking place in a complicated society. The switch was made seamlessly and the narrative was easy to follow. The language, particularly the dialogue, seemed right for the period, just formal enough that I felt as though I were back in 1766, not enough that I had to stop and figure out what it meant. The details of clothing and palace furnishings added to the feeling. As for the plot, imagine being a composer, dependent on the favor of the royal family, preparing for a visit from Her Imperial Majesty and one of your principal musicians disappears under suspicious circumstances - with your music. No more spoilers from me. I'll just say that if you like mysteries, music, and/or historical fiction, you'll like A Minor Deception.
February 23, 2019
Joseph Haydn, Kapellmeister to His Serene Highness Prince Nikolaus Esterházy, is in a bit of a bind as the time draws near for a visit from Empress Maria Theresa: as a good-will gesture to Emperor Joseph, his talented concertmaster Luigi Tomasini, has been sent to Vienna, and Haydn must make do with the overbearing and insufferable Bartó Daboczi (recommended to him by his brother Michael, who is in service to the Archbishop of Salzburg). Haydn is also under pressure to consider Albert, the nephew of von Rahier, the Estates Director, for this key position. Then Bartó disappears -- along with copies of all the music Haydn has written for the Empress's visit. And Haydn discovers the distinct possibility that an attempt on Maria Theresa's life will be made during her visit, which would discredit the Prince and aid Hungarian rebels. -- Can the hard-pressed but resourceful Kapellmeister find his temporary concertmaster and the lost music, while fending off the stress Rahier keeps bringing to bear and get to the bottom of the assassination plot? -- I enjoyed this story, especially the depiction of the Haydn family (Joseph, his shrewish wife Maria Anna, his pompous middle brother Michael, and the winning peacemaker Johann, who serves as Watson to Haydn's Holmes). I'm not entirely convinced that the humble sons of an 18th century wheelwright would speak as the author has them speaking, but this seems a minor quibble, at best. I will happily look forward to more installments in this series.
November 22, 2024
I love mysteries that revolve around the most famous composers of the 18th century in the Austro-Hungarian Empire and around the great Habsburg dynasty.
That period fascinates me and if in addition to the mystery I also find historical notions and the setting is so well described that it's able to transport me to that place in that time, then the book is really good to me and I rate it 5 stars, especially if I become attached to the characters and miss them after finishing the story.
But this is not the case ! :-( :-( :-( :-( :-( :-(
I had great expectations with this cozy mystery:
- to start it has an amazing cover, one of the best among the mysteries I've read starring great composers of the 18th century and with a similar setting..... And the plot is so promising:- the plot involving one of the greatest Austrian composers ( Franz Joseph Haydn ) and his family (wife and brother), the rich and sumptuous court of Prince Esterházy and the preparation of a musical event on the occasion of the visit of the great empress Maria Theresa.- the synopsis of the mystery also seemed very interesting: the disappearance of a very gifted but very grumpy violinist and with him the disappearance of a precious violin.
_____ WHAT I LIKED :
The only thing I appreciated about this "historical whodunit" is the author's initial introduction of the many characters who actually existed in the story.
For each of them, not only is the name written in full and with a real noble title (if they were aristocrats), but it is also explained what role they played in history and some character characteristics that distinguished them.
In addition to this, the author has added a short, but still interesting final HISTORICAL NOTE, which explains some things regarding the creation of the mystery, which is naturally purely fictional, but inspired by a real character and events that actually happened.
___ What I LIKED LESS and dampened my enthusiasm (hence 3 stars):
- THE CHARACTERS: although well introduced by the author in a long (but interesting) initial list, none of them were developed in the book.
Of each character I can understand who has a good nature and who doesn't, just through that list, while the dialogues they pronounce are only sterile phrases that do not convey any emotion to the reader nor are they able to give him the perception, in an in-depth manner, of the the soul of each character.
I know that Haydn's wife is an ungrateful shrew and that one of Haydn's brothers always tries to mediate between them and this is clear from the dialogues only because previously the author explained this in the list of characters...
The dialogues are always the same, very repetitive, the same sentences and the same situations.
- THE SCENES: the story is set in Eisenbach in 1766, but it could be anywhere and at any time... I didn't breathe the atmosphere of that place and that time as I did in many other good books.
- REPETITIVENESS and FLAT PLOT: the first 25% of the book took place between the rehearsal room where the violinist behaved rudely and at Haydn's house where he told about this and everyone wondered why.
The second 25% is Haydn's constant thinking about what he could have done differently and what he must do now that the violinist is gone...
When a kind, charming but mysterious character appeared 40% of the way through the book, I thought things were finally getting interesting but they didn't. It's all very boring. The characters always ask themselves the same questions and cannot find answers.
- SOME BIG MISTAKES that an author should pay more attention to when writing about historical settings.
I'll mention just one:
at a certain point the writer says that Haydn takes his pen out of his jacket pocket and corrects the score...
OH MY GOD!!!
Even the chickens know that in 1700 THEY WROTE WITH A NIB AND INK POT, they certainly couldn't keep it in their pocket.
------------------
IN CONCLUSION: Perhaps the series could be nice for young adults, but I don't recommend the series to adults who are fans of mystery books because they would be disappointed.
I have read many series of cozy mysteries with historical settings that are much more captivating and engaging and from which I have even learned historical notions that I didn't know.
Many thanks for reading my opinion and please forgive my English since it's not my native language. :-)
That period fascinates me and if in addition to the mystery I also find historical notions and the setting is so well described that it's able to transport me to that place in that time, then the book is really good to me and I rate it 5 stars, especially if I become attached to the characters and miss them after finishing the story.
But this is not the case ! :-( :-( :-( :-( :-( :-(
I had great expectations with this cozy mystery:
- to start it has an amazing cover, one of the best among the mysteries I've read starring great composers of the 18th century and with a similar setting..... And the plot is so promising:- the plot involving one of the greatest Austrian composers ( Franz Joseph Haydn ) and his family (wife and brother), the rich and sumptuous court of Prince Esterházy and the preparation of a musical event on the occasion of the visit of the great empress Maria Theresa.- the synopsis of the mystery also seemed very interesting: the disappearance of a very gifted but very grumpy violinist and with him the disappearance of a precious violin.
_____ WHAT I LIKED :
The only thing I appreciated about this "historical whodunit" is the author's initial introduction of the many characters who actually existed in the story.
For each of them, not only is the name written in full and with a real noble title (if they were aristocrats), but it is also explained what role they played in history and some character characteristics that distinguished them.
In addition to this, the author has added a short, but still interesting final HISTORICAL NOTE, which explains some things regarding the creation of the mystery, which is naturally purely fictional, but inspired by a real character and events that actually happened.
___ What I LIKED LESS and dampened my enthusiasm (hence 3 stars):
- THE CHARACTERS: although well introduced by the author in a long (but interesting) initial list, none of them were developed in the book.
Of each character I can understand who has a good nature and who doesn't, just through that list, while the dialogues they pronounce are only sterile phrases that do not convey any emotion to the reader nor are they able to give him the perception, in an in-depth manner, of the the soul of each character.
I know that Haydn's wife is an ungrateful shrew and that one of Haydn's brothers always tries to mediate between them and this is clear from the dialogues only because previously the author explained this in the list of characters...
The dialogues are always the same, very repetitive, the same sentences and the same situations.
- THE SCENES: the story is set in Eisenbach in 1766, but it could be anywhere and at any time... I didn't breathe the atmosphere of that place and that time as I did in many other good books.
- REPETITIVENESS and FLAT PLOT: the first 25% of the book took place between the rehearsal room where the violinist behaved rudely and at Haydn's house where he told about this and everyone wondered why.
The second 25% is Haydn's constant thinking about what he could have done differently and what he must do now that the violinist is gone...
When a kind, charming but mysterious character appeared 40% of the way through the book, I thought things were finally getting interesting but they didn't. It's all very boring. The characters always ask themselves the same questions and cannot find answers.
- SOME BIG MISTAKES that an author should pay more attention to when writing about historical settings.
I'll mention just one:
at a certain point the writer says that Haydn takes his pen out of his jacket pocket and corrects the score...
OH MY GOD!!!
Even the chickens know that in 1700 THEY WROTE WITH A NIB AND INK POT, they certainly couldn't keep it in their pocket.
------------------
IN CONCLUSION: Perhaps the series could be nice for young adults, but I don't recommend the series to adults who are fans of mystery books because they would be disappointed.
I have read many series of cozy mysteries with historical settings that are much more captivating and engaging and from which I have even learned historical notions that I didn't know.
Many thanks for reading my opinion and please forgive my English since it's not my native language. :-)
February 23, 2019
A MINOR DECEPTION by Nupur Tustin
The First Joseph Haydn Mystery
Life isn't easy for the kapellmeister. Not only does Franz Joseph Haydn have to compose special music for the Empress' upcoming visit, he must manage his musicians and deal with an overbearing estates manager as well as his shrewish wife! Add to his burdens the violinist recommended by his brother is proving to be a disaster. While a virtuoso on the violin, he's a rude, arrogant bully in person who seems bent on getting himself fired. When the musician disappears, taking a priceless violin with him, Haydn decides to track down the man himself. What he finds are volatile musicians, an illicit affair, and political intrigue.
A MINOR DECEPTION transports readers into the eighteenth century to the world of court musicians and political intrigue. The book is, however, more scholarly in nature, more of an intellectual puzzle, and I was not emotionally invested. There appeared no true danger to Haydn, or any of his intimates, whether he discovered the truth behind his musician or not. I did like Haydn and his brother, Johann. Both were nice, decent men managing a variety of challenging characters. Poor Haydn dealing with his wife, Marie Anna. She did, however, give me plenty of chuckles. I also really liked the maids, Rosalie and Greta and their determination to help the kapellmeister. Rosalie, in particular, is a smart enterprising woman. Haydn would do well to work more closely with her.
This first Joseph Haydn mystery is methodical and a bit slow moving. There's a measured pace, just as you'd find in one of Haydn's symphonies. I loved how the mystery transformed itself as new information was brought to light. There were plenty of surprises along the way, keeping my interest. What started as simply a missing disgruntled employee and theft lead to political intrigue and murder.
A MINOR DECEPTION is an intriguing mystery filled with historical facts and details capturing a portion of court life in the Habsburg Empire.
FTC Disclosure – The publisher sent me a digital ARC provided through NetGalley, in the hopes I would review it.
The First Joseph Haydn Mystery
Life isn't easy for the kapellmeister. Not only does Franz Joseph Haydn have to compose special music for the Empress' upcoming visit, he must manage his musicians and deal with an overbearing estates manager as well as his shrewish wife! Add to his burdens the violinist recommended by his brother is proving to be a disaster. While a virtuoso on the violin, he's a rude, arrogant bully in person who seems bent on getting himself fired. When the musician disappears, taking a priceless violin with him, Haydn decides to track down the man himself. What he finds are volatile musicians, an illicit affair, and political intrigue.
A MINOR DECEPTION transports readers into the eighteenth century to the world of court musicians and political intrigue. The book is, however, more scholarly in nature, more of an intellectual puzzle, and I was not emotionally invested. There appeared no true danger to Haydn, or any of his intimates, whether he discovered the truth behind his musician or not. I did like Haydn and his brother, Johann. Both were nice, decent men managing a variety of challenging characters. Poor Haydn dealing with his wife, Marie Anna. She did, however, give me plenty of chuckles. I also really liked the maids, Rosalie and Greta and their determination to help the kapellmeister. Rosalie, in particular, is a smart enterprising woman. Haydn would do well to work more closely with her.
This first Joseph Haydn mystery is methodical and a bit slow moving. There's a measured pace, just as you'd find in one of Haydn's symphonies. I loved how the mystery transformed itself as new information was brought to light. There were plenty of surprises along the way, keeping my interest. What started as simply a missing disgruntled employee and theft lead to political intrigue and murder.
A MINOR DECEPTION is an intriguing mystery filled with historical facts and details capturing a portion of court life in the Habsburg Empire.
FTC Disclosure – The publisher sent me a digital ARC provided through NetGalley, in the hopes I would review it.
October 5, 2017
Wonderfully written, this mystery will keep you reading until the end, giving you no chance to stop.
And the setting! The setting is perfect, research evident in every detail. And, if you are, like me, a history buff, and you love classical music, this book will become one of your favourites.
Add to all that a bunch of vivid, nuanced characters, and Joseph Haydn as the protagonist, and you're for a treat.
A must read.
And the setting! The setting is perfect, research evident in every detail. And, if you are, like me, a history buff, and you love classical music, this book will become one of your favourites.
Add to all that a bunch of vivid, nuanced characters, and Joseph Haydn as the protagonist, and you're for a treat.
A must read.
March 30, 2018
Joseph Haydn, would like to sack his principal violinist, Bartó Daboczi, because of his behaviour except for the very important concert to be held for the Empress Maria Theresa’s visit. Then Bartó goes missing, with the concert's music. It is up to Hayden, with various helpers, to find him and the music and to determine why.
An enjoyable slowly unfolding mystery and I look forward to reading the next
An enjoyable slowly unfolding mystery and I look forward to reading the next
March 7, 2020
A Minor Deception is the first book in the Joseph Haydn Mystery Series, by an Author I have not read before. I will now be looking for more by her. This story has wit, a mystery, murder, suspense, drama, twist, and turns. I enjoyed reading this book.I wonder if we will see more of Franz Joseph Haydn and his brother Johann. I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
March 7, 2020
A Minor Deception is the first book in the "A Joseph Haydn Mystery" series and is a great historical fiction story.
The weaving of fact and fiction is done particularly well in this story. The storyline is well written and interesting and has murder, theft, and Joseph Haydn leaving the investigations
I read and reviewed this book with no obligation.
The weaving of fact and fiction is done particularly well in this story. The storyline is well written and interesting and has murder, theft, and Joseph Haydn leaving the investigations
I read and reviewed this book with no obligation.
April 8, 2020
Interesting book
I made it through the book, but had a hard time following the story. I will read the next in the series to se if it has a better flow, for I love this subject manner and stories about composers
I made it through the book, but had a hard time following the story. I will read the next in the series to se if it has a better flow, for I love this subject manner and stories about composers
August 18, 2025
The story was interesting and is well written to a surprising conclusion with exciting plot twists along the way. Grammatical errors and many anachronistic errors (one character calls another character a "medical examiner", a term not used for another century) prevent a higher rating.
October 20, 2017
Entertain look as possible history in a small Austrian-Hungarian village at the time of Haydn. Well developed characters, good plot, fun to read.
August 24, 2018
very original take on historical crime fiction. Especially entertaining for me as I am Viennese and know Eisenstadt and the Neusiedler See region very well.
October 14, 2018
A delightful mystery about a missing violinist. A fast paced story that had me reading to find out what happens.
June 6, 2021
A well written and interesting story about Joseph Haydn with much explanation of the history of music at the time.
February 14, 2017
This is a lovely book! If you like music and you are a fan of the traditional mystery, it is a perfect fit. In addition to a great story, the book is chock full of musical and historical details about Haydn, his life, music and contemporaries. I highly recommend it.
March 2, 2025
This novel depicts composer Joseph Haydn himself immersed in a suspicious theft and abrupt departure.
His own brother Johann accompanies him while they make inquiries within the castle, local villages and beyond. The disappearance of his First Violinist is concerning because it is just before the Imperial visit of the Empress Maria. Even his brother Michael shows up. Helping the brothers are two castle maids who are useful in accessing the inner workings of the castle.
Tustin's depiction of Haydn and his life and time period shows her research , although, a crash course in Austria, Hungary and the Habsberg family history would have been nice at the beginning of book.
I know nothing about classical music and their composers. Anyone with knowledge of music will enjoy this book more because they will appreciate the descriptions of the different compositions while those ignorant will have to simply pressume.
His own brother Johann accompanies him while they make inquiries within the castle, local villages and beyond. The disappearance of his First Violinist is concerning because it is just before the Imperial visit of the Empress Maria. Even his brother Michael shows up. Helping the brothers are two castle maids who are useful in accessing the inner workings of the castle.
Tustin's depiction of Haydn and his life and time period shows her research , although, a crash course in Austria, Hungary and the Habsberg family history would have been nice at the beginning of book.
I know nothing about classical music and their composers. Anyone with knowledge of music will enjoy this book more because they will appreciate the descriptions of the different compositions while those ignorant will have to simply pressume.
October 31, 2016
"In a multi-note tale of intrigue, composer and Kapellmeister Joseph Haydn and his brother turn detective to tease apart the notes of a complex human score. Murder, lies, reputations, love, even political deception play into this compelling eighteenth-century mystery. Tustin occupies a unique niche in the historical mystery world with her debut novel, one which she clearly masters. Her knowledge of the classical music world is obvious, but her talents as a writer are no less apparent in the puzzle and music of this story."
January 30, 2017
a very well written book. the characters and world well described, story line well thought out and enough music terminology to make me feel I got educated just reading the book.
April 7, 2017
Author Nupur Tustin casts composer Franz Joseph Haydn in the role of amateur sleuth, and does so with believable realism, creating a situation in which Haydn has no choice but to take on the role. Not only has his principal violinist disappeared, but the missing man has stolen some of Haydn’s unpublished new music. The plot grows more complex, entangled in political unrest and a love affair.
The working life and the social standing of musicians and their place in a royal court is a fascinating part of the historical setting. The book is full of original and intriguing characters, especially Haydn’s observant and difficult wife. Though she’s hard to live with, she provides valuable insight into the mystery. Finding her to be such a strong character, I would have enjoyed a little more description of her kitchen and her clothes (since she seems fonder of cooking and shopping than of her husband). I want to know her better, and hope to see more of her in future books in the series.
The author’s musical background—she is a composer herself—gives authenticity to the book. She strikes a good balance between the elements of a historical novel and a cozy mystery. The plot is unpredictable. Every time I thought I had the mystery figured out, along came another surprise, right up until the end. And the end is excellent. One of the best final lines I’ve read lately.
The working life and the social standing of musicians and their place in a royal court is a fascinating part of the historical setting. The book is full of original and intriguing characters, especially Haydn’s observant and difficult wife. Though she’s hard to live with, she provides valuable insight into the mystery. Finding her to be such a strong character, I would have enjoyed a little more description of her kitchen and her clothes (since she seems fonder of cooking and shopping than of her husband). I want to know her better, and hope to see more of her in future books in the series.
The author’s musical background—she is a composer herself—gives authenticity to the book. She strikes a good balance between the elements of a historical novel and a cozy mystery. The plot is unpredictable. Every time I thought I had the mystery figured out, along came another surprise, right up until the end. And the end is excellent. One of the best final lines I’ve read lately.
April 17, 2017
As a classically trained cellist (though strictly an amateur), this book really resonated with me.
First, I really loved the use of Joseph Haydn as the main character. I don’t know a lot about him, though I know his music, but he felt real and vivid, and based on my own experience with temperamental conductors, I believed in the author’s version of him.
Then there was the dual dynamic of orchestra/chamber ensemble vs. court. In many ways, the two are similar – both are based on heirarchies that aren’t always obvious to the outsider, and both involve directors/leaders who wield great power, not always judiciously. In particular, I loved the character of Bartó, who reminded me of so many arrogant musicians I’ve worked with – and, though I’m reluctant to admit this, a little of myself.
Finally, there was the mystery. Nupur Tustin combined her love of music and history with research and a genius for plot, and this story kept me guessing to the very enjoyable end.
Basically, if Mozart in the Jungle were set in the court of the Holy Roman Empire, you would get something akin to this novel, except this story, for all it’s drama and theatrics, feels more plausible than the popular Amazon television show.
If you want a compelling mystery that is blended into a gripping story populated by vivid, dimensional characters, and with a soundtrack you can almost hear in your mind’s ear while you’re reading, you need to read A Minor Deception.
Goes well with goulash, not because it’s period-accurate or story specific, but because it’s chilly and rainy and goulash is on my brain.
First, I really loved the use of Joseph Haydn as the main character. I don’t know a lot about him, though I know his music, but he felt real and vivid, and based on my own experience with temperamental conductors, I believed in the author’s version of him.
Then there was the dual dynamic of orchestra/chamber ensemble vs. court. In many ways, the two are similar – both are based on heirarchies that aren’t always obvious to the outsider, and both involve directors/leaders who wield great power, not always judiciously. In particular, I loved the character of Bartó, who reminded me of so many arrogant musicians I’ve worked with – and, though I’m reluctant to admit this, a little of myself.
Finally, there was the mystery. Nupur Tustin combined her love of music and history with research and a genius for plot, and this story kept me guessing to the very enjoyable end.
Basically, if Mozart in the Jungle were set in the court of the Holy Roman Empire, you would get something akin to this novel, except this story, for all it’s drama and theatrics, feels more plausible than the popular Amazon television show.
If you want a compelling mystery that is blended into a gripping story populated by vivid, dimensional characters, and with a soundtrack you can almost hear in your mind’s ear while you’re reading, you need to read A Minor Deception.
Goes well with goulash, not because it’s period-accurate or story specific, but because it’s chilly and rainy and goulash is on my brain.
August 1, 2017
this was a very interesting read. mystery is not my immediate go to for books but the music part of it intregued me.
I liked it. the book had a different pacing than what I'm used to and was a good choice for my break from fantasy.
I liked it. the book had a different pacing than what I'm used to and was a good choice for my break from fantasy.
Read
August 28, 2017Nupur Tustin's 'A Minor Deception' is a must read. It takes place in the 17th century in the area of Austria and Hungary. The main Character is a mystro (sp) but finds himself in the middle of a plot against the Monarchy. There are so many twists and turns because life must go on even when there are plots and murders going on. The characters are very realistic and humorous at times. It even has the token bitch or two.
I would recommend this to anyone who likes reading of times past with all the good and bad guys, murder and mayhem.
Cheers
Lynn
I would recommend this to anyone who likes reading of times past with all the good and bad guys, murder and mayhem.
Cheers
Lynn
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews