2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Mystery doesn't get ANY better than this!!!! Buy it ASAP!, June 20, 2010
This review is from: Murder in the Pit (Perfect Paperback)
I was immediately pulled in to the glamorous world of the Metropolitan Opera House. From the glitterati - the well-dressed patrons exchanging diamond-covered handshakes - to the large glass windows framing the picturesque fountain in Lincoln Plaza; to the Chagall murals decorating the lobby, everything about this world was wonderfully written by a true "insider."
We begin with Julia Kogan, a very talented violinist who has worked her fingers to the bone to become the youngest member, at twenty-two, of the famous orchestra. Julia lost her father when she was quite young, and was literally taken under the wing of Abel Trudeau - the brilliant and famous conductor who took Julia's insatiable appetite for music and became the ultimate mentor - guiding her to the "top" of their world. Beside her in the pit, sits Sidney Richter - an older member of the orchestra who is her absolute best friend. A man who, like Abel, has supported her and helped her to attain her goals.
When Julia walks through the revolving glass doors off Broadway and into the Opera House for her very first opening night, she meets up with all the wonderful characters that make up this cozy mystery. Before the show can commence, Abel gives to her a beautiful pin and oddly written sheet music that he wrote himself to commemorate this once in a lifetime event in Julia's life. As the lights dim and the chandeliers ascend into the ceiling, the orchestra begins, and Abel offers his favorite student a wink and a smile.
As a gunshot suddenly rings out, the fabulously wealthy audience members cringe in their seats. And a confused Julia finds herself staring up at the man who'd raised her, watching him fall over...covered in blood. Soon everything that was completely sane and sensible becomes a labyrinth of lies and secrets. Sidney is hauled away by the police for a frame-up of monumental proportions. As his life hangs in the balance - accused of a crime he didn't commit - Julia teams up with an investigator whose love of the operatic world equals her own.
Together they sift through the suspects that include a general manager who likes to ingest chemicals in order to keep her going; a cute stagehand who draws little hearts beside Julia's name on the musicians' sign-in sheet; a personnel manager who waves his baton in the air, wishing with his heart he could be a conductor; an understudy who's not only gorgeous but extremely talented, and wants nothing more than to vault himself into super stardom; and, literally, a cavalcade of diva's, managers, performers, musicians, and stagehands. Each rung of the societal ladder is discussed, as the author deftly sets up and delivers the inside world of colorful characters that make up the illustrious Met.
As a lover of classical music and a patron of Tanglewood when I was younger, I was extremely happy with all the in-depth knowledge that Ms. Miner has delivered. She was actually a violinist at the Met, so she certainly knows the world of which she speaks. Because of this background, as well as quick-witted writing, Ms. Miner has put together a very solid mystery with a cast of characters who were an absolute joy to read.
Until Next Time,
[...] Reviewer, Amy Lignor
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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great mystery, better atmosphere, July 8, 2010
This review is from: Murder in the Pit (Perfect Paperback)
Murder in the Pit is a tight mystery that kept me guessing, but it's the cast of characters and the behind-the-scenes look at opera that makes this book stand out. From earnest, hard-working protagonist (Julia) to the snide divas (several, including the hilariously bitchy office manager, Patricia) to the policeman with a penchant for opera (Larry), the characters bring this ferociously competitive world into focus.
If you like a good mystery, this book is for you. If you like opera, this book is for you. If you like both, it's a winner.
But even if you don't like mysteries, this book is a great place to start. I found the action compelling enough to keep me guessing, and I never once felt like the author was toying with me, which is a problem I have with many mystery writers. Perhaps it's because Miner reveals so much about opera that I don't feel as if she's keeping information from me. How she managed to do that...is a mystery.
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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Best mystery ever!, June 15, 2010
This review is from: Murder in the Pit (Perfect Paperback)
Mystery lovers, music aficionados rejoice. Here is a new potent thriller for you, set in the world famous musical atmosphere of New York City. I just finished reading this latest exciting novel by Erica Miner and thought the insight look into this part of NY was eye opening and the plot was developing at a fast pace. I could not put this book down until I turned the last page. Very entertaining, spellbound and enjoyable.
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