The Fire Concerto - by Sarah Landenwich

About the Book

Clara Bishop hasn't touched a piano since a concert hall fire nearly took her life a decade ago, ending her career as a rising star in the world of classical music. Significantly scarred and unable to play, she has turned away from everything and everyone associated with music, especially her ruthless mentor Madame, whom Clara blames for her injuries.
​Her life is upended when Madame dies, leaving Clara an unexpected inheritance: an ornate nineteenth-century metronome with a cryptic message hidden inside. Convinced this is not a gift but a puzzle Madame wants her to solve, Clara comes to suspect that the unusual bequest is the long-lost metronome of the composer Aleksander Starza--a priceless object missing since 1885, when Starza was murdered by the brilliant female pianist Constantia Pleyel.
​As Clara works to uncover the metronome's haunted past and protect it--and herself--from those who wish to obtain it, she discovers that nothing about Starza and his murder are what they seem. History has remembered Constantia Pleyel as an unstable artist who killed Starza in a fit of madness. The truth could rewrite the history of music--and give Clara the second chance she has been longing for.

Book Synopsis

A beautifully written, evocative literary page-turner about a brilliant nineteenth-century female pianist from Poland lost to history and another woman's quest to ensure she is not forgotten--with a shocking twist of a finale.

Clara Bishop hasn't touched a piano since a concert hall fire nearly took her life a decade ago, ending her career as a rising star in the world of classical music. Significantly scarred and unable to play, she has turned away from everything and everyone associated with music, especially her ruthless mentor Madame, whom Clara blames for her injuries.
​Her life is upended when Madame dies, leaving Clara an unexpected inheritance: an ornate nineteenth-century metronome with a cryptic message hidden inside. Convinced this is not a gift but a puzzle Madame wants her to solve, Clara comes to suspect that the unusual bequest is the long-lost metronome of the composer Aleksander Starza--a priceless object missing since 1885, when Starza was murdered by the brilliant female pianist Constantia Pleyel.
​ ​As Clara works to uncover the metronome's haunted past and protect it--and herself--from those who wish to obtain it, she discovers that nothing about Starza and his murder are what they seem. History has remembered Constantia Pleyel as an unstable artist who killed Starza in a fit of madness. The truth could rewrite the history of music--and give Clara the second chance she has been longing for.

This moving tale is perfect for fans of Brendan Slocumb's The Violin Conspiracy.

Review Quotes

"[A]n extraordinary work of fiction, filled with grace and eloquence revolving around the emotional lyricism of the 19th century Romantic music period...What an admirable beginning for this recently published first-time novelist! Bravo!"--BookTrib

"The Fire Concerto is a mesmerizing story of passion, suspense, and heartbreak. In a remarkable feat of the imagination, debut novelist Sarah Landenwich portrays three women across time whose ardent pursuit of music brings them joy and devastation. Their stories have stayed with me long after I reached the final page."--Lauren Belfer, the New York Times bestselling author of And After the Fire and Ashton Hall

"The Fire Concerto is a thrilling mystery, full of history, musicology, humor, and suspense . . . what emerges in these pages [has] so many layers . . . The generational forces that shape all of us are heightened here, as we see the music world's expectation and hierarchy of musical lineage. Landenwich lands this novel perfectly."--TaraShea Nesbit, bestselling author of The Wives of Los Alamos and Beheld

"A lyrical and compelling meditation on the power of music, The Fire Concerto is a propulsive literary thriller and an impressive debut."--Silas House, New York Times bestselling author of Southernmost and Lark Ascending

"Landenwich makes her debut with a captivating novel...a vibrant storytelling experience, with well-developed characters and a thrilling pace that leads to a dramatic conclusion."--Booklist

"This is a brilliant debut, filled with remarkable and haunting characters, gorgeous scenes, and enthralling writing about music on par with James Baldwin's masterpiece Sonny's Blues."--Paul Griner, author of The Book of Otto and Liam

"With lyrical prose and rich period detail, Landenwich's intricately plotted novel blends music, madness and mystery into one gorgeous debut. The Fire Concerto reminds us of the passions and perils of those touched by genius, and the universal longing we all have to be loved."--Alyson Richman, bestselling author of The Time Keepers

About the Author

Sarah Landenwich is a writer and writing educator. Also a classically trained pianist, her debut novel The Fire Concerto was inspired by her love of music of the Romantic period. She lives in Louisville, Kentucky with her husband and daughter.