To the ancient Romans, the healing waters of Bath belonged to the goddess Minerva. Today they belong to the gods of commerce, as tourists teem, shops prosper, and the incense of gourmet food rises to the English skies. Among the throng is Sara Selkirk, a world-class cellist who came undone in a Paris performance. For Sara, taking a break from performing has given her a chance to look at what’s missing from her life– and even at a case of murder.…

The killing occurred in the famous Roman Baths, and the victim was the museum’s director. Knowing several people close to the investigation–from a potential suspect to a detective who cajoled her into giving him cello lessons–Sara discovers a talent for making sense of things. But like a Bach fugue, the pattern she grasps is more complex than it seems. And as she moves down a trail strewn with secrets and damaged lives, a chilling story begins to emerge: of greed, envy–and a killer performance that may not be quite finished yet.

"At the start of this exquisite crime novel from British author Joss (Fruitful Bodies), renowned cellist Sara Selkirk — who has barely performed in public since a breakdown following her lover's death — gives a charity performance at Bath's historic Pump Room. The evening goes well, but when she returns to claim a forgotten belt the morning after, she discovers Matthew Sawyer, the contentious 'Director of Museums and Civic Leisure Resources,' lying dead in the ancient spring that waters the legendary Roman baths. Spurred by the details reluctantly divulged by her student, DCI Andrew Poole, Sara tries to puzzle out Sawyer's murder. She knows a number of the potential suspects, who include James, her charming accompanist; Olivia, the victim's assistant director; and a virile but somewhat mysterious young chef named Paul, who, like Andrew, is attracted by Sara's beauty. Many motives lead to little hard evidence until another body surfaces and Sara finds herself suddenly clear about not just the mystery but her own future. If rich, gorgeous Sara sometimes seems too perfect to be true, the book's supporting cast is nicely fleshed out with human idiosyncrasies and tangled cross-purposes. Even better are Joss's lyrical evocations of Bath, which becomes the book's most compelling character. Agent, Jean Naggar. (Apr.) FYI: The author has won the CWA Silver Dagger Award." Publishers Weekly (Copyright Reed Business Information, Inc.)

“As well plotted as Ruth Rendell and with all the psychological complexity you find in the great P. D. James…Beautifully written, it manages to be witty and touching at the same time.”Bath Chronicle

A mesmerizing psychological thriller and the first in an acclaimed mystery series set in atmospheric Bath featuring professional cellist Sara Selkirk.

The first in an acclaimed British mystery series that introduces international cellist Sara Selkirk, a musician-turned-sleuth who investigates a murder while visiting the ancient Roman ruins in Bath, England. Original.

Morag Joss grew up on the west coast of Scotland. Her first Sara Selkirk novel, Funeral Music, was nominated by the Independent Mystery Booksellers Association for the Dilys Award for the year’s favorite mystery. Her fourth novel, Half Broken Things, won the 2003 CWA Silver Dagger Award. Morag Joss lives in the country outside the city of Bath and in London.