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BOOK REVIEW: IRON TONGUE OF MIDNIGHT |
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The Iron Tongue of Midnight, the fourth novel in the Baroque Mystery series, finds Tito Amato visiting a Venetian Villa, in what is essentially a country house murder. Tito, along with his artist brother in law, Gussie, have been hired to work on the new operatic production of the German composer, Karl Weber. Oddly, the part Tito has been contracted to sing is really not within his vocal range. As it turns out, the up and coming French soprano, Gabrielle Fouquet, has insisted that Tito be the one contracted to sing or she would not come. That's even more of a puzzle, as initially Tito doesn't think he knows the famous Gabrielle, nor her husband/manager Jean Louis. In fact, many things about the couple and their past are a bit mysterious.
Before production rehearsals even begin, a body is discovered in the hallway in the middle of the night. No one will admit to recognizing the man and the only item found on the body is an expensive Russian pistol. Could the body be connected to villa owners, Vincenzo or his wife Octavia? Did someone invited to the house for the opera know the man? Finally, Tito finds out what has become of his sister, the long missing Grisella. Unfortunately, this potentially links Tito to the dead man. And then another person is murdered, again in the middle of the night....this time someone everyone in the house knows.
Myers books are enjoyable on so many different levels. Certainly the mystery in each is well done, The clues are there for the reader to follow, yet the puzzle is not easily solved.
But beyond the mysteries these are outstanding books on the history of opera theater. As a fairly new devotee to opera, I find the background on opera almost as interesting as the mysteries themselves. Including fascinating historical details of life in 1700's Italy adds even more to the reader's enjoyment.
While it would not be impossible to pick up this book and read it first, readers would enjoy the book much more if they at least read the first book in the series, Interrupted Aria, to sort out the cast of characters, and learn Tito's life story. Because there is now a fairly large number of characters who reoccur in the series, I think it would be helpful if the characters and their various relationships were listed somewhere in the book.
REVIEWED BY CARYN ST. CLAIR
DO NOT REPRINT WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE REVIEWER, CARYN ST. CLAIR
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