Writing thrillers for readers of all ages

Cremona Mysteries Book 3

The Hardanger Riddle

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

A captivating tale of betrayal and long-lost love sees Gianni and Antonio leave the warmth of Italy for the inhospitable wilds of Scandinavia.

Intriguing, absorbing and filled, as always, with musical detail, The Hardanger Riddle will keep you enthralled from start to finish.

Rikard Olsen, a successful violin maker from Norway, is found dead in the canal in Cremona – and it wasn’t an accident. A mysterious, exquisitely-decorated Hardanger fiddle that he brought with him to Italy has disappeared.

Rikard was a former pupil of Gianni Castiglione, and Gianni and his detective friend, Antonio Guastafeste, travel to Norway to investigate the murder – a journey that takes them to Grieg’s home at Troldhaugen, to Lysøen, the tranquil island retreat of Norway’s Paganini, Ole Bull, and high into the remote mountains where memories are long and secrets easy to conceal.

The missing Hardanger fiddle had a carving of a hauntingly-beautiful young woman on the scroll. Gianni and Guastafeste believe that the woman may hold the key to the whole puzzle. But who was she and what made her so special that Rikard Olsen had to die?

Series: Cremona Mysteries

Formats available: Paperback, Ebook

First published: 01/11/19

Series: Cremona Mysteries

Formats available: Paperback, Ebook

First published: November 1, 2019

Reviews for The Hardanger Riddle

This is a book that is exceedingly difficult to put down.

The Strad

Really enjoyable, and hugely engaging and informative mystery set in Cremona and Norway. Fabulous.

Goodreads

Yet again a magnificent book by Paul Adam. I am truly delighted with this intelligently and perfectly researched book. The characters are fantastically crafted and this gorgeous mystery story incorporates so many interesting aspects of music to make it really outstanding. I have already read the two previous novels of the Cremona Mysteries Series and all of them are truly delightful. As a hobby musician (piano, violin and flute) I definitely adore these flawlessly researched and magnificently told stories. I already look forward to Paul Adam’s next book.

Amazon Customer Review

Another exceptional read. I have read quite a few Paul Adam books over the past few years and thoroughly enjoyed them all
The Cremona trio are all great reads and should be made into either films or tv series. The characters are well defined and like all great stories the research undertaken immediately shows.

Amazon Customer Review

I’m glad that Paul Adam has written another great Cremona mystery. And I enjoyed the range of the plot into Scandinavia.

Amazon Customer Review