The Devil's Harmony - (Phineas Fox Mystery) by Sarah Rayne (Paperback)

About the Book

Music researcher Phineas Fox is asked to verify the contents of an old scrapbook, rescued from the site of the historic Chopin Library in Warsaw. He discovers an intriguing link to an infamous piece of music that legend says was only performed at a traitor's execution - and was last played in 1944, on the night the Chopin Library was destroyed ...

Book Synopsis

The discovery of an old scrapbook in a Warsaw library leads researcher Phineas Fox to uncover evidence of a devastating wartime atrocity.

"We had no choice. But it was a bad way for them to die."

When music researcher Phineas Fox is asked to verify the contents of an old scrapbook, rescued from the site of the historic Chopin Library in Warsaw, he is initially sceptical. But he soon discovers an intriguing link between the Library and an infamous piece of music known as the Dark Cadence.

Legend has it that the Dark Cadence was only performed at a traitor's execution - and it has never been written down. It is believed to have last been played on the night the Chopin Library was destroyed during the Nazi occupation of World War II. What really happened that terrible night in October, 1944? What is the connection with an equally dreadful night in Russia in 1918, the night the Tsar and his family were executed? And what are the repercussions for the present . . .?

From the Back Cover

"Rayne is a fine writer, a sure-handed plotter and skilful character builder . Fox is perhaps her most intriguing creation" Booklist on Music Macabre "Rayne provides vivid descriptions of Victorian London . Readers who like their mysteries erudite will be well satisfied" Publishers Weekly on Music Macabre "The mix of music and history provides a refreshing backdrop to Fox's amateur sleuthing. This series started strong and keeps getting stronger" Booklist on Song of the Damned "A murky, multi-layered picture that masterfully draws out the suspense by progressively revealing the underlying truths" Kirkus Reviews on Chord of Evil

Review Quotes

"Rayne writes with panache and imagination ... A chocolate box of classical music, banter, historic tidbits, and spooky stories" - Kirkus Reviews

'An intricate tale of music, love, betrayal, and self-sacrifice ... Fans of intelligent historical mysteries will be rewarded' - Publishers Weekly

'The Fox novels are a joy to read. They're beautifully written, with a strong protagonist and very cleverly constructed stories. Each of the Fox novels has been better than the last - with more complex stories that ratchet up the suspense to a new level, a trend that continues here. Fans of Phineas Fox will be lining up for this one' - Booklist Starred Review

A murky, multi-layered picture that masterfully draws out the suspense by progressively revealing the underlying truths-- "Kirkus Reviews on Chord of Evil"

Colorful characters and a mastery of slow-burning suspense make this case an engaging page-turner-- "Kirkus Reviews on Music Macabre"

Rayne is a fine writer, a sure-handed plotter and skillful character builder . . . Fox is perhaps her most intriguing creation-- "Booklist on Music Macabre"

Rayne provides vivid descriptions of Victorian London . . . Those who like their mysteries erudite will be well satisfied-- "Publishers Weekly on Music Macabre"

The mix of music and history provides a refreshing backdrop to Fox's amateur sleuthing. This series started strong and keeps getting stronger-- "Booklist on Song of the Damned"

The writing is crisp and compelling, and the mystery is cleverly constructed-- "Booklist on Chord of Evil"