Prussian Counterpoint:
A Joseph Haydn Mystery
by Nupur Tustin
About the Book
Prussian Counterpoint: A Joseph Haydn Mystery
Cozy Mystery
3rd in Series
Publisher: Foiled Plots Press (March 1, 2019
Paperback: 270 pages
ISBN-10: 0998243043
ISBN-13: 978-0998243047
ISBN-13: 9780998243047
Digital BN ID: 2940156243365
ASIN: B07N8MQ4GX
When an enemy makes overtures of friendship, is anyone safe?An unexpected invitation from wily King Frederick causes composer Joseph Haydn to fear he’s walking into a trap. After all, the Prussian King has never had any use for Haydn’s music. His Majesty seems more intrigued at Haydn’s being the son of a market-judge.Worse still, the invitation appears to stir up suspicion in the highest quarters in Vienna. So much so that a mysterious, cloaked lady visits Haydn’s Music Room and issues a thinly veiled threat.Now Haydn is convinced there’s mischief afoot. But not even he can foresee that he will stumble upon the corpse of the imperial ambassador a day after his arrival in Frederick’s Prussia, along with evidence that His Lordship may have been a common thief.Can Haydn salvage the imperial ambassador’s reputation—and find his killer?Praise for the Joseph Haydn Mysteries“A standout in the genre of historical mysteries. An encore is requested!”
Midwest Book Review“Tustin occupies a unique niche in the historical mystery world.”
Edith Maxwell, Agatha-nominated Author, Quaker Midwife Mysteries“Wonderful read for fans of historical cozy mysteries. . .The characters are strong and the writing is smooth. . .”
Books a Plenty Book Reviews“An interesting journey and Haydn is a likable main character.”
Christa Reads and Writes“Vivid historical descriptions, intricate details, and a fascinating central character kept me turning the pages. Bravo!”
Amanda Carmack, award-winning author of The Elizabethan Mystery Series
When Haydn returns from his meeting with the Empress, he finds a mysterious, cloaked woman awaiting him in his Music Room—the same woman who accosted Rosalie in the alley outside the palace in an earlier scene. The idea of the cloaked lady was inspired by the Empress’s lady-in-waiting, Elizabeth von Fritz, who shortly after Maria Theresa ascended the Austrian throne went out among the common folk, at her mistress’s behest, to find out the source of their discontent.
Excerpt
“You claim to have known me since my boyhood, Madame, but—”
“A mere ruse, Herr Kapellmeister,” she replied with a low, musical laugh. “Although since we have moved in the same circles, it is quite possible we have met.”
“The same circles?” Haydn allowed his eyebrows to arch upward.
“You have studied with Nicola Porpora, have you not? And worked for the Count Morzin?”
Haydn nodded, mystified. What was she getting at? Porpora had never given the lady a lesson that he could recall. And he would certainly have remembered had she numbered among Count Morzin’s guests in the years he had served as Kapellmeister to that gentleman.
“These are men my husband and I are well acquainted with.”
“I see.” His assumption about her had been true, then. She was a woman of noble birth. He took the seat Luigi had vacated. “I am greatly indebted to both the Count and Herr Porpora,” he said slowly. “How could I fail to be of assistance to any friend of theirs?”
He left it at that, not wanting to say more. Whether he could indeed be of assistance remained to be seen. And he would offer nothing else until she was more forthcoming.
She tilted her head, her deep blue eyes searching his features. “You are remarkably incurious about my identity,” she remarked finally. “Your Konzertmeister tried a thousand different ways to ascertain it.”
“Since you have come to me,” Haydn said, “I trust you will let me know—in good time. Although I imagine I would not be far off the mark were I to guess that you are in some way attached to the imperial court.” Or connected with the Prussian ambassador, he thought privately.
It would have to be one or the other, given the way his morning had begun. Even so, he was surprised to see the other’s eyes widen and to hear her sharp intake of breath.
* * *
About the Author
A former journalist, Nupur Tustin relies upon a Ph.D. in Communication and an M.A. in English to orchestrate fictional mayhem. The Haydn mysteries are a result of her life-long passion for classical music and its history. Childhood piano lessons and a 1903 Weber Upright share equal blame for her original compositions, available on ntustin.musicaneo.com.
Her writing includes work for Reuters and CNBC, short stories and freelance articles, and research published in peer-reviewed academic journals. She lives in Southern California with her husband, three rambunctious children, and a pit bull.
3 Free Stories on: http://bit.ly/Haydn_Taste_of_Murder
Webpage: http://ntustin.com
Blog: http://ntustin.com/blog
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