Cremona Mysteries Book 2

Paganini’s Ghost

This is the second book in the murder-mystery series about Cremona violin maker, Gianni Castiglione, and his detective friend, Antonio Guastafeste.

In Paganini’s Ghost, Gianni and Antonio return to investigate more mysterious deaths in a tantalising story of love, deception and greed. If you enjoyed their earlier adventure, you will be delighted by this new tale.

A dazzling young Russian virtuoso performs a sell-out recital on Paganini’s violin in the cathedral in Cremona. Then one of the audience, a shady Parisian dealer, is found dead in his hotel room, a fragment of music belonging to the virtuoso hidden in his wallet. But how did the dead man get hold of it? And why?

Following a trail that leads back to Paganini, his lover Elisa Bonaparte (Napoleon’s sister), Catherine the Great and a long-lost priceless treasure, Gianni and Antonio must unravel another mystery that has gone unanswered for over a century, one that may hold the answer to the modern-day murder.

Series: Cremona Mysteries

Formats available: Hardback, Paperback, Ebook, Audiobook

First published: 03/10/11

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Series: Cremona Mysteries

Formats available: Hardback, Paperback, Ebook, Audiobook

First published: October 3, 2011

Reviews for Paganini’s Ghost

Adam flawlessly weaves the biographic details of the historic characters and events into the story. Rather than being boring or take you out of the story, it is included in such a natural way as to be fascinating. The book is also a very well done mystery. It is a matter of following both the physical and historic clues. Although there are coincidences, there are bodies, red herrings and twists along the way. I did not solve the mystery before the end.

Amazon Customer Review

The second Castiglione historical whodunit (see The Rainaldi Quartet) is a great nineteenth century tale that uses music as the core of a murder mystery. The investigation is terrific as Guastafeste brings in an expert he trusts to interpret the music clues while the key cast is fully developed. Sub-genre fans will enjoy Paul Adam conducting a musical mystery tour of nineteenth century Europe though the eyes of master violin maker Castiglione with over five decades in the art of construction and restoration.

Amazon Customer Review

“Superb…captivating but never transparent…enriched by meticulously detailed historical intrigues.”

Publishers Weekly, Starred Review

“A delightful romp through 19th-century classical music and the hunt for an invaluable art object. Readers will love this mystery.”

Library Journal Review, Starred Review

An enthralling mix of Italian ambience, history, and—most of all—music.

Booklist

Adam’s story and style are of a piece, elegantly layered and intricately detailed.

Kirkus Review

Five stars! Adam’s writing is so skilful that the art never displays itself; it is beautiful word-craft that you seldom see in mysteries. The characters grow more interesting with each development. The intricacies of the plot turn and twist and are not resolved until the end. You feel a sense of place: Italy, historical and modern. The story is supported by a deep appreciation of music and musical history that becomes essential to the solution of the mystery. This is a true page-turner that you will not put down until you finish it. Gianni Castiglione, who builds violins and doubles as a sleuth, is one of the most likeable protagonists I’ve ever encountered in 50 years of mystery reading. I’m going back to get “The Rainaldi Quartet” and look forward to the next book in Mr.Adam’s series.

Amazon Customer Review

We are almost overwhelmed (but joyfully entertained) in this fast-reading mystery. Highly recommended.

Amazon Customer Review

You can hear the soaring, magical notes of Paganini’s violin in this delightful mystery that weaves turbulent events 200 years ago into a trail of murder, betrayal and budding passion today.

Amazon Customer Review