Synopses & Reviews
Paganini - showman, womanizer, dazzling virtuoso - is one of the most charismatic characters in the history of classical music. His violin, il Cannone (the Cannon), is now kept in Genoa, Italy, where it is played only once every two years in a sold-out concert by the winner of an international competition.
This year, though, a Parisian art dealer is found dead in his hotel room the day after the concert. In his wallet is a scrap of sheet music, torn from a page that belongs to the competitions winner. But how did the dead man get hold of it? And why?
Detective Antonio Guastafeste asks violin maker Gianni Castiglione to help him navigate the curious world of classical musicians, their priceless instruments, and the unsavory dealers who prey upon them. Together, Antonio and Gianni must unravel another mystery that has gone unanswered for over a century, one that may hold the answer to the modern-day murder.
Filled with remarkable history and musical lore, Paganinis Ghost plays at a breathtaking tempo that will keep you reading until the very last page.
Review
PRAISE FOR
THE RAINALDI QUARTET"Elegant."
--Entertainment Weekly
"Beguiling."
--The New York Times Book Review
"Rich in detail about the history of violin making and music and the chicanery and fraud that often accompany them, the story is told with uncommon grace, clarity, and wit."
--Denver Post
"Combines new and old puzzles in an atmospheric and detailed novel."
--Richmond Times-Dispatch
"From the first stirring theme to the last fading chord, mystery fans and music lovers alike will be captivated by British author Adam's excellent contemporary thriller."
--Publishers Weekly (starred)
"Well-crafted, expertly-paced... the plot mixes equal parts thriller and riddle."
--Christian Science Monitor
Synopsis
Violinmaker Giovanni Castiglione searches for a long-lost instrument that was possessed by famed violinist Niccolo Paganini. Full of remarkable history and musical lore, "Paganini's Ghost" will enchant music lovers and Italophiles alike.
About the Author
PAUL ADAM grew up in the north of England and studied law at Nottingham University. He began his writing career as a journalist and has worked in Rome as well as England. He is the author of The Rainaldi Quartet. He lives in Sheffield, England, with his wife and two children.