Critics' Opinion:
Readers' rating:
Published Jan 2010
288 pages
Genre: Mysteries
Publication Information
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
competition’s 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.
"Starred Review. Readers will find Adam's full-bodied characters captivating but never transparent as the clever plot, enriched by meticulously detailed historical intrigues, builds to its satisfying conclusion." - Publishers Weekly
"Prolific Adam's second Castiglione mystery (The Rainaldi Quartet, 2006, etc.) is slow to get moving, but his story and style are of a piece - elegantly layered and intricately detailed." - Kirkus Reviews
"Starred Review. The result is a delightful tromp through 19th-century classical music and the hunt for an invaluable art object." - Library Journal
This information about Paganini's Ghost was first featured
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Any "Author Information" displayed below reflects the author's biography at the time this particular book was published.
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.
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