Murder and classical music seem to go together for Gethsemane Brown. And she has done it again. Gethsemane, her cohort of community friends, and one almost friendly ghost, Eamon McCarthy, are again called upon to the murder mystery surrounding The International Rose Hybridizers’ Association. Watching Gethsemane living in an Irish community with its mythos and culture, is as much fun as watching her solve the current problem standing before her.
As expected, Alexia Gordon has produced an enjoyable cozy mystery that will hold the reader's attention from page one. But Alexia Gordon also adds a brief introduction to the classical music world as she introduces us to the composers and music that are part of that world. The author does not focus on just the names that most neophytes might know, but also lesser known names (at least to this author) from the classical music genre such as Prokofiev’s ‘Prologue from The Tale of the Stone Flower’ or Strauss’s ‘Roses from The South’. A quick search on Google and the reader can verify the facts presented by Ms. Gordon, learn more about the composer, and listen to the pieces referenced in the book. It might be possible for the publisher to create a website supporting this successful author and the musical references made in her books.
The book is great just as a cozy mystery read. This book easily earns its 5-star review. However, for those in high school or college, it might serve as a lighter text in those institutions highlighting “Reading Across the Curriculum” or “Writing Across the Curriculum”. Combined with a writing and listening assignment, it could also easily integrate into an appropriate course.
______________
This review is based on a free electronic copy provided by the publisher for the purpose of creating this review. The opinions expressed are my own.
No comments:
Post a Comment