I started this book and found that it was not for me. I didn't want to rate a book that I wasn't able to finish.

I'm excited about this series, as I'm a huge Victorian fan. I didn't realize this was the 4th in the series, so I'm a little caught in the headlights with this, in terms of not knowing the protagonist well beforehand. But as with any mystery, you can kind of jump in at any point.

An intriguing novel that intermingles 19th century and present day London; following the steps of Phineas Fox we will encounter interesting characters such as the notorious music hall performer Scaramel, Daisy, Joe, Toby, Arabella… and of course… Jack the Ripper!

Thanks to NetGalley and Severn House for a copy of this book to read and review.

This thriller, set in parallel time lines in modern and Victorian-era London, weaves together the legend of the serial killer, Jack the Ripper, and the music of Franz Liszt. In today’s time, writer Phineas Fox is researching his next project, a scholarly work on the life of Liszt, when he comes across a reference to “Liszten for the Killer,” a song that the women of Whitechapel used as an alarm signal.

The Victorian story line includes the notorious music hall dancer, Scaramel, and the poor girl, Dairy, whom she befriends. As the Ripper’s attacks grow nearer, Daisy and her younger brother barely escape his knives. Scaramel devises a scheme to use a melody composed by Liszt’s, as distinctive as it is haunting, as a way to rapidly spread word of his approach. Meanwhile, Phineas’s researches bring him to the physical location of the older story’s events. Many of the same buildings are still in existence, including the pub where Scaramel and her group met; in gaining access to the documents stored in the basement, he encounters the new owner, who has a secret family history and obsession of her own.

Music Macabre added something quite new and fresh for me to the usual tales of Jack the Ripper. Initially my curiosity was piqued by the use of Liszt’s music as a plot element. That in itself set the book apart (and as an adult piano student, I have Opinions about Liszt’s compositions for a pianist with relatively small hands). Both story lines drew me in, and as the parallel tales progressed, echoing and crossing one another, the tension rocketed up. The thriller elements were handled with seeming effortlessness, allowing deeper nuances to emerge. Sympathetic characters, a burgeoning sense of doom, and unexpected twists added to the reading enjoyment.

Now, where’s that playlist?

Sarah Rayne in Music Macabre is twinning Phineas Fox researching a Liszt connection to a dancer in London in the 1880's music hall and a new restaurant the Lamplighters. Macabre music is also connected to Jack the Ripper. This is about the small players and crime in Victorian London; who will get caught? Victorian London dominates the story in this Fox adventure.

In the fourth Phineas Fox mystery, Phin is tasked with researching the life of Franz Liszt for background for a scholarly work. By total accident, and because of his and friend Toby’s delight in researching older English ballads and street songs, music of the people, Phin, and the novel take a quite different direction.

Music Macabre has a split narrative: the first set in present day London with Phin beginning his work on Liszt, the second set in the 1890s, also primarily in London. We readers are privy to links between these times that Phin may never be certain are real. Fairly soon it becomes obvious that the initial reason for Phin’s research will be sidetracked by information related to the lyrics of an unknown song. This song was seen framed on a wall in a restored building, now a restaurant, formerly, in the 19th century, a music hall. This song with its oddly macabre lyrics will captivate Phin and link us with the 19th century story.

While this might seem overly complicated, I found it worked well, as soon as I gave up on learning a lot about Liszt (not a major goal of mine anyway). There are some fascinating stories here especially of life among the poor in 1890s London, during the time of the “Peasouper” fogs and Jack the Ripper and bawdy music halls whose stars performed for all classes.

I do recommend this episode in Phineas Fox’s music-based adventures. I do enjoy when writers include that touch of history in their fiction to increase our knowledge and links to the past.

A copy of this book was provided by the publisher through NetGalley in return for an honest review.

The 4th in a mystery series but the first i have read i found an interesting mystery that kept me guessing until the end, I can't wait to read the first books

Princess Fuzzypants here: This author has a knack for writing book where two separate stories evolve in different centuries but finally cross by the end. This time a musicologist is researching the life of Listz and finds some fascinating “dirt” about his various alliances with ladies of questionable morals. In fact, it appears he was smitten with a music hall star of the late 19th century who may or may not have been a murderess. It appears there might be proof hidden in the cellar of a newly reopened restaurant that was once a supper club where she performed.
The second story revolves around the lady in question and her maid, an East End girl, who escapes the violence and dark deeds of Whitechapel in the time of the Ripper, only to discover it has followed her and will impact her life and the lives of those around her. It is an atmospheric and very scary story with an unfortunate end for some of them.
The author does an admirable job weaving both tales and keeping the reader riveted, wanting to keep reading to find out the fates of all the heroes and heroines. There are a lot of moving pieces so it requires concentration from the reader but it rewards those efforts well.
Five purrs and two paws up.

This series is new to me so I happily have three more to read. When I saw this was a historically based mystery, I had to request it. I wasn't disappointed. The period is the Victoria Era with connections to present day. The main character is Phin Fox and he is researching the life of Franz Liszt. When he finds that Liszt had spent time in London in the 1890's and was in some way possibly connected to a murder he is intrigued. Soon he finds out that the Victorian dancehall, The Linklighters Supper Rooms still exists and has been renovated and named the Linklighter Club. With hopes that there might be some clues to be found through the new owners he sets off to dig deeper into the past.
I don't usually enjoy books written with alternating voices, but the writing is so very well done, this wasn't a problem. The Victorian period came alive, warts and all through the narrative of dancer Scaramel, and Joe and Daisy. The present time is Phin and his research when he finds a 1946 volume in a used bookstore that mentions Scaramel and Linklighters. That night his writing partner and cousin of his girlfriend, Arabella, suggests dinner out to talk about a new writing project. On a whim, they look up Linklighters and find that it has been updated and is still in business. And so the mystery begins - who was Scaramel, was there a murder and what became of Scaramel. I was hooked from page one. All the pieces fit together very well and I found myself saying just one more page.
My thanks to the publisher Severn House and NetGalley for giving me an advance copy in exchange for my honest review.

Phineas Fox, a music researcher and author, starts to research material for a new book about the composer, Franz Listz. In doing so, Fox comes across a piece of music entitled 'Listzen for the Killer' and starts to piece together an intriguing tale of the music hall performer, Scaramel, murder, and the existence of one Jack the Ripper.

This was a fascinating book and extremely well-written. I thoroughly enjoyed reading it, although I found the Victorian era chapters written from the perspective of Daisy, Scaramel's maid, much more interesting than the chapters that dealt with Fox's research. This is the fourth book in the series, and I've only read this one, however, I didn't feel at a disadvantage in not having read the first three. I found that the writing was such that I was transported into the story.

Mature themes: murder, brief mentions of sexual abuse of children, asylums, some sexual content.

Thanks to NetGalley and publishers, Severn House, for the opportunity to read an ARC.

I received a complimentary ARC copy of Music Macabre(Phineas Fox #4)
by Sarah Rayne from NetGalley and Severn House Publishers in order to read and give an honest review.

" ...clever, complex and incredibly well-written, this book keeps the reader enthralled...

This is the first novel I have read by Sarah Rayne and I know I will definitely be reading her others as well.  A modern-day mystery interspersed with a gothic victorian murder set in the late 1800s, the author manages to intertwine multiple plotlines wonderfully.

Music researcher, historian and author,  Phineas Fox is collecting research to write a biography about famous and flamboyant composer Franz Liszt. While researching he comes across Linklighters, a  recently opened restaurant that was once a well-known Victorian music hall.  Phineas meets it's mysterious owner Loretta Farrant and uncovers old memorabilia that points to Liszt, Jack the Ripper and about the murder with the famous performer known as Scaramel at its centre. The story travels back in time to meet Scaramel, Daisy, Joe and hear about the gruesome murders that are occurring in the area. Present-day we follow Phineas as he uncovers research and we also learn about Loretta Farrant, her husband Roland as well as the mysterious death of Roland's mother.

I actually really enjoyed this book but wished I would have seen more of Phineas.  This is the fourth book in a series and I regret not reading the previous three to get more of a glimpse into Phineas's character but it was a fantastic read as a stand-alone.  Overall I found it clever, complex and incredibly well-written, this book keeps the reader enthralled until the last page and I would highly recommend it!

My thanks to Severn House for a digital edition via NetGalley of Sarah Rayne’s ‘Music Macabre’ in exchange for an honest review.

This is the fourth in Rayne’s Phineas Fox mysteries. I hadn’t read any of the earlier books in the series, though this wasn’t a problem as enough background was provided. A few years back I did read a few of her titles and know that she is very interested in old buildings and their atmospheres.

Fox is a music researcher and historian. His latest commission has him gathering background information for an academic biography of composer Franz Liszt. His investigation takes him to Linklighters, a newly-opened Soho restaurant that originally was a Victorian music hall. There he finds evidence of a possible murder involving a flamboyant music hall performer known as Scaramel.

As he explores Liszt's connection to Scaramel ... he finds a surprising link to the infamous Victorian serial killer Jack the Ripper. Yet his desire to uncover this story ends up putting his own life in danger.

The narrative has two streams. The first follows Fox’s investigations in modern day London and the other is set in 1880/90s London with Scaramel and others in her circle.

I enjoyed this very much finding it a well written and highly engaging mystery skilfully blending historical fact and fiction. Rayne does capture a strong sense of place, bringing the architecture and cityscape of both modern and Victorian London vividly to life.

Since finishing this novel I have obtained her first
Phineas Fox mystery and hope to read some of her other titles.

An atmospheric, enthralling and entertaining historical mystery.
I liked this series because it mixes facts and fiction and the mysteries are always complex and full of twists and turns.
This one was no exception and I was hooked since the first pages.
I liked the solid mystery that kept guessing, the well crafted plot and the fleshed out cast of characters.
An excellent read, highly recommended.
Many thanks to Severn House and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine.

This is the 4th book in this series, but the first one I have read. I found Phineas Fox to be a delightful character. The story here I thought was very unique, with 3 different story lines taking place but they all come together in the end. I'm not sure how much of the story is historically accurate but the historical parts felt real to me. There's a supporting cast of great characters. The movement between the 3 stories keeps you engaged in trying to figure out the mystery. There are some thrills also to keep you on the edge of your seat and a good dose of London fog to give you that little chill down the spine. This was a great read and I hope to have a chance to read more from this series.

Now that I've read the four (to date) PHINEAS FINN MUSIC MYSTERIES by immensely gifted author Sarah Rayne, I expect MUSIC MACABRE (Book 4) to remain my favourite. Like Book 1, it trods the streets of Victorian London, my favorite historical era, and also weaves in my top historical fascination: Saucy Jack (Jack the Ripper of Whitechapel, East End London 1888). Ms. Rayne presents a couple of quite intriguing possibilities for the remarkable sudden disappearance of Jack and the cessation of murders, one portion of which I found highly plausible, given the culture and legal climate of the time. It would certainly account for his climatic absence.

Phin Fox has once again found himself uncovering something entirely unexpected while doing a research job- a connection, sort of, between Franz List and Jack the Ripper. Don't worry if you haven't read the earlier books, this is fine as a standalone because each mystery is more or less self contained. Phin is moving along briskly with his research when he comes upon the story of Scaramel, an entertainer in 1890s London- setting up the dual time line. It's all connected through Linklighters, now a restaurant but once a music hall where she performed. Phin's more intrigued by her than he is by Lizt (who wouldn't be?). He's got good friends to help him and a nose for investigation. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. A fun read.

Rayne’s new novel is a decent historical mystery. Finn Fox is researching a new book on Frank Liszt. He has found a link between Liszt and Scaramel, a music hall performer. And there’s also a link to Jack the Ripper, operating in White Hall at the time.

There are multiple storylines going on here. In addition to Finn’s research, we are also taken back in time to 1890s London where Scaramel launches a plan to try to protect the ladies of the night. We also are given the story of the couple that renovate The Linklighter’s Club, where Scaramel performed regularly.

Raine does a good job of painting the atmosphere of late 19th century London and accurately getting that whole gothic sense of darkness. But her characters don’t have a lot of depth to them. This book is all about the action, not character development. Readers expecting this book to be about Liszt will also be sorely disappointed.

I found the ending to both storylines to be unbelievable. But the book is an entertaining read, fast paced with a decent sense of tension.

This is the fourth in a series but it was easily read as a stand-alone.

My thanks to netgalley and Severn House for an advance copy of this book.

Oh wow. This complex, puzzling murder mystery is surprisingly good and I enjoyed it immensely! I went in this book without knowing it is the fourth book in the Phineas Fox series. Fortunately it can still be read as standalone.

Phineas Fox is a music researcher and historian, and is commissioned to research for a biography of Franz Liszt, a well-known composer-pianist in the 19th century. As he gathers information, Phineas discovers a scandal in Liszt's past which involved a famous music hall performer of Linklighters Supper Rooms known as Scaramel, who is rumored to be tangled up in murder. There is also a disturbing sketch called "Liszten for the Killer" by an unknown artist and a murder song by an unknown Welsh writer. These shocking discoveries eventually leads Phineas to Linklighters Restaurant, a newly renovated eatery built on this old music hall, where the owners of this new restaurant are also hiding a dark secret of their own. As Phineas is getting closer in putting the pieces of the puzzle together, he unwittingly is putting his life in danger.

This dual timeline murder mystery is narrated between present time with Phineas trying to solve the mystery of Liszt and Scaramel, and the 1880s/1890s with Daisy, who was the maid for Scaramel in a time where London is terrorized by Leather Apron/Jack The Ripper. I enjoyed the dual timeline narration as it was executed well and not confusing at all. The storytelling is mellifluous and it was really engaging. I had to keep reading to find out what happened! This is a pretty good read with the right dose of suspense and mystery. Endearing characters but I think you'd need to read the first book to get a better understanding of the characters. Nonetheless, this did not lessen the reading experience. Yes, I will definitely be reading the next book in this series, but first, let's start from book one!

"Listen for the footsteps 'cos it's very late at night,
I can hear his tread and he's prowling through the dark,
I can hear him breathing and I fear that I'm his mark.

Now I hear the midnight prowl,
Now I see the saw and knife,
Next will come the victim's howl,
So save yourself from him, and run ...
... run hard to save your life."



***I received a complimentary digital copy of this book from Severn House through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All views expressed in this review are my own and was not influenced by the author, publisher or any third party.***

Wow! My first book by Sarah Rayne and I really enjoyed this. It is the 4th book of her Phineas Fox mystery series and it was just super enjoyable. The author moves seamlessly back and forth between current day and the 1890's. Phineas is a writer and is investigating new issues about the life of Frantz Liszt, and that takes him to investigating archival information at a local pub. That is enough to bring in the 1890's storyline. It us a fast and enjoyable read, and we get to understand the bowels of London, the insane asylums of the same city, the life of a scandalous singer and her maid Daisy along with her family, and then there is Jack the Ripper who floats over the entire book. Lots of great plot twists and interesting characters. It is well written and even if you have not had a chance to read the first 3 books of the series that is not a hinderance to reading and totally enjoying Music Macabre!

A Phineas Fox mystery set in London in the present time and the 1880’s/1890’s. Phineas Fox is researching background for a music biography on a Franz Listz a music composer.
In an old bookshop near St martin’s Lane Phineas finds some interesting books with references to a music hall performer who had some connections with Listz. In one of the old books there was a mysterious sketch that leads to further research.
Phineas is helped by his friends Toby and Arabella as he sifts through evidence. The documents they find go back to the 1880’s and the time of Jack the Ripper, Music Halls and a performer called Scaramel.
The story is fast paced as it switches between the present time and the 1880’s/1890’s. I loved the way the evil was portrayed in the present time and back in the time of Jack the Ripper. This was a historical murder mystery about composers, music and music hall performers. I have loved reading Sarah Rayne mysteries for many years.