The Violin Maker - by M Terrill (Paperback)

Book Synopsis

"An exquisite and finely tuned historical novel deserving of an encore." -Kirkus Reviews

In 1950s Manhattan, violin dealer Thomas Barlow receives an unexpected visit from an old friend and fellow WWII veteran Jonathan DeWitt, who is seeking his appraisal for an old Italian cello. The cello is purported to be the work of Andrea Guarneri, a famous luthier from Cremona. The deeper Barlow dives into the cello's past, the more certain he becomes that it is not the work of Andrea Guarneri. This revelation propels him unrelentingly toward the confrontation he has tried for years to avoid with DeWitt, with whom he shares a dangerous secret he thought remained buried in war-torn Europe.

In 1693 Italy, Pietro Guarneri emerges from an unspeakable personal tragedy to find himself ensnared in a treacherous political web due to the meddling of his employer, the Duchess Gonzaga of Mantua. With the sole aim of protecting his family and concealing the identity of Elena, the apprentice he smuggles into his workshop to teach, Pietro reluctantly begins constructing the only cello of his instrument-making career. The result will alter the foundations of Pietro's life and reverberate through the centuries, shrouding the truth of the cello's origins in secrecy.

Review Quotes

"A beautiful and transporting work of historical fiction with a singular cello-its creation in 1693 Italy and its authentication in 1950s New York-at its heart. The Violin Maker immerses readers in a fascinating world of luthiers and collectors, filled with secrets, intrigue, history, and heartache. A gripping debut. M. Terrill is a writer to watch." -Jennifer Rosner, award-winning author of The Yellow Bird Sings and Once We Were Home

"A tale of ambition and passion where every note hums with the echoes of unfinished reckoning. Rooted in the history and lore of violin making, The Violin Maker will transport you from the candlelit workshops of seventeenth-century Italy to a faded postwar New York showroom, where the past is waiting to be heard." -Janet Rich Edwards, author of Canticle

"The language flows effortlessly and melodically in M. Terril's finely tuned tale. The hunt to authenticate an antique cello leads to satisfying twists and turns of love and violence in the propulsive plots both past and present. Great world building combined with well-rounded engaging characters make this an immersive read. Like a well-constructed symphony, the energy and intensity build to an exquisite crescendo and rewarding resolution. An outstanding debut." -Dean Cycon, award-winning author of Finding Home and A Quest for God and Spices

"Molly Terrill's beautifully crafted, richly atmospheric prose moves The Violin Maker across centuries with echoes of The Red Violin, vividly evoking the artistry, history, and mystery surrounding a rare instrument. With deeply drawn characters and fascinating details of instrument making and appraisal, Terrill gradually transforms the novel into an unexpected and gripping tale of secrets, betrayal, and intrigue." -Julie Scolnik, award-winning author of Paris Blue, A Memoir of First Love