Death and Transfiguration - (Daniel Jacobus Mystery) 2nd Edition by Gerald Elias (Paperback)

About the Book

Daniel Jacobus, who had earlier shunned a colleague's plea for support against relentless harassment, investigates a man's closely held secrets.

Book Synopsis

Vaclav Herza, the last of a dying breed of great but tyrannical conductors, has been the long-time music director of the world-famous orchestra, Harmonium, since fleeing political turmoil in Eastern Europe for America in the mid-twentieth century.

When Herza summarily dismisses the acting concertmaster, Scheherazade O'Brien, from an audition she was poised to win and awards the position to Yumi Shinagawa, a former student of blind, cantankerous violin teacher Daniel Jacobus, the results are lethal, convulsing the entire orchestra.

Jacobus, who had earlier shunned O'Brien's plea for support against Herza's relentless harassment, investigates Herza's closely held secrets. With the help of his old friends Nathaniel Williams, Max Furukawa, and Martin Lilburn, Jacobus seeks not only revenge but redemption from the guilt of his own troubled past.

Review Quotes

"There's just one word for this book: bravo!" -Starred review, Publisher's Weekly

"Elegantly structured to match the Richard Strauss piece from which the title comes, Elias's fourth title (after Death and the Maiden) in his highly regarded series deserves a standing ovation. Think Donna Leon for pacing and thoughtfulness and Deborah Grabien for music's integral role in the plot." (Starred review, Library Journal)

"Brilliant and captivating on every level." -Starred review, Booklist

"Elias has a nose for creative detail and a refreshing impatience with pomposity. Indulge yourself in his artfulness." -Kirkus Reviews

"An irascible, blind retired classical violinist who doubles as a murder mystery sleuth -- you won't find many protagonists who fit this profile in detective books. Daniel Jacobus is a unique lead character in the thoroughly enjoyable series of books by Long Island-born Gerald Elias." -Examiner.com

"...the reader will not want to put the book down." -Deseret News

"Elias spins a remarkable story that is hard to put down." -Reichel Reviews

"I think I'll never look at a Thursday the same way again."-Victoria Dougherty, author