Funeral Music - A Novel

Zusatztext “Morag Joss’s distinguished debut demonstrates an interesting setting! characters! both sympathetic and villainous! who are drawn with wit and perception! good writing and a plot which combines tension with credibility.”–P. D. James “As well plotted as Ruth Rendell and with all the psychological complexity you find in the great P. D. James…Beautifully written! it manages to be witty and touching at the same time.”–Bath Chronicle Informationen zum Autor Morag Joss Klappentext To the ancient Romans! the healing waters of Bath belonged to the goddess Minerva. Today they belong to the gods of commerce! as tourists teem! shops prosper! and the incense of gourmet food rises to the English skies. Among the throng is Sara Selkirk! a world-class cellist who came undone in a Paris performance. For Sara! taking a break from performing has given her a chance to look at what's missing from her life- and even at a case of murder.... The killing occurred in the famous Roman Baths! and the victim was the museum's director. Knowing several people close to the investigation-from a potential suspect to a detective who cajoled her into giving him cello lessons-Sara discovers a talent for making sense of things. But like a Bach fugue! the pattern she grasps is more complex than it seems. And as she moves down a trail strewn with secrets and damaged lives! a chilling story begins to emerge: of greed! envy-and a killer performance that may not be quite finished yet. Part One Chapter One Sara was breathing hard, partly from exertion but also with annoyance. It was not that the telephone was interrupting anything except that first, quiet moment when all movement stopped. It was more that she very much wanted it not to be her agent, Robin, whom she was not yet ready to forgive, and was annoyed in advance in case it was. Her legs were shaking as she reached for the telephone. She was still sweating. As she picked up the receiver, the warm smooth plastic slipped through her wet hand, banged on the floor and bounced on the end of its coiled flex, spinning and clunking against the chest of drawers. Whoever was on the other and would probably think she had just hurled the telephone against the wall, so there was no chance of sounding poised and reasonable now. But it was not her agent, it was James. Only a little less annoyed, Sara tried to sound nonchalant which, being breathless, she found difficult. 'Sara Selkirk. Oh, it's you. What was what? Oh, nothing. I just dropped the phone.' She eased her shoes off without undoing the laces. 'I'm a bit out of breath, that's all. Just been out running.' She wiped her free hand damply down her chest. 'So, how are you getting on? Are you all right?' asked James. With the receiver crooked under her chin Sara leaned over and peeled away her stained socks. She sank onto the floor and sat with her legs straight out in front of her. 'Oh, I'm fine - a bit bloodstained.' She sighed, turning her feet to inspect the damage. 'But I'd do it again tomorrow. I enjoyed it.' James was incredulous. 'Come off it, honeybun. You couldn't actually enjoy it, unless you were sick or something. Are you some sort of pervert, or what?' 'Oh, shut up. It's a wonderful feeling. I'll convert you one day. Look, when are we rehearsing? Not that I feel particularly keen.' 'This afternoon, at four. They're closing the Pump Room early so we can get in. We'll have to put up with them shifting tables and stuff, but it should be okay,' he said. 'Look, are you sure you're all right? You don't sound all right.' 'Yes, yes, I'm fine,' Sara said, flexing her feet. 'I suppose.' Her heart was still hammering but a little more slowly now. 'Four o'clock's fine, I suppose. If we must.' She was suddenly aware of a hurt silence at the other end of the telephone and kicked herself for forgetting. 'Oh, look--' she began.

Product details

• Authors: Morag Joss
• Publisher: Dell Publishing Inc.
• Languages: English
• Product format: Paperback
• Released: 29.03.2005
• EAN: 9780440242413
• ISBN: 978-0-440-24241-3
• No. of pages: 368
• Dimensions: 107 mm x 173 mm x 26 mm
• Series: The Sarah Selkirk Mysteries; The Sarah Selkirk Mysteries
• Subject: Fiction > Suspense