This book really brought the feel of "Auld Reekie" to life. The characters were well considered and the plot was exceptional. Very well crafted & a cracking good read. Highly recommended

A strange tale – but intriguing.

1791 Edinburgh. Isobel Duguid is a 'star' of the Edinburgh Musical Society, despite her questionable skill and attitude, where her friend, the castrato Clessidro is the Musical Director. Isobel is a singer of Scottish ballads, often dark 'murder ballads'. Clessidro is sought for his Italian training, violin playing and singing. They roam Edinburgh, living an opulent lifestyle. But there's a feeling that not everything is quite as it seems.

Then Isobel receives a letter from a Mrs Abercorn, whose husband is a song collector, wanting permission to include one of Isobel's famous murder ballads, The Fiddler's Wrath, in a book and hinting it was her husband's intention to include a etching of the writer or custodian of each ballad he selects. Mrs Abercorn has also requested that Isobel sings the notorious ballad at a concert that evening. After the concert Mrs Abercorn approaches Isobel and starts quizzing her about the ballad. And so Isobel's tale unfolds and unravels and the truth emerges. I'm not sure how I felt about Isobel. At times I disliked her; other times I felt some sympathy for her.

It's a dark and twisted tale. You can almost smell the alleys and closes of Edinburgh Old Town. It's a tale of secrets, misogyny, jealousy, love, betrayal, heartbreak, murder.

I think I was hooked at the start by the words of The Fiddler's Wrath and also the fact that there was a musical thread (I like to sing old ballads and traditional songs – but only in the company of friends). I got slightly lost at one point and almost gave up but I'm glad I read on to the end because overall I enjoyed the book. It might even be one I would read again.

This book had me hooked by the simple lines

Come all false-hearted women and your jealous husbands near,
For in my song about a foul murder you shall hear

A dark, gothic mystery written in a completely new way to me, had be hooked and I finished the whole book in a weekend! Loved every page and didn't want it to end

"Come all false-hearted women and your jealous husbands near, 
For in my song about a foul murder you shall hear."

Gothic and atmospheric writing rich in Edinburghs less than glamorous history. Set in 1791 three women are connected by a story and music.

I loved the descriptions of the old theatre and opera houses. The pace of this book was excellent, to get the truth unfolding slowly of what really happened to inspire the Murder Ballad. I loved that the flashback were in the form of letters. And I really didn't guess the twist at the end.

What to expect:

Rich Edinburgh history
Ballads, theatre and opera
Dual POV
Murder Mystery
Twists

A great book if you are a historical fiction fan. This book kept me engaged till the end and I read it within a day.

This was amazing. I really enjoyed the writing style and this world. Richester seems to has this way of writing that just grabbed me from the get-go. It makes it easy to understand everything that is happening and I wasn’t once confused. The whole concept of the book was interesting. And, I found myself absolutely intrigued with these characters. I couldn’t put it down.