Life, Death and Cellos

Not great literature, but a thoroughly enjoyable light read. Most of the characters were believable, and it was good to see the nastiest person get their come-uppance.

The authors’ love Of music is depicted very well in this book. The characters were well written and enjoyable. I look forward to the next installment to learn more about the orchestra. Thanks to Farrago and to NetGalley for providing me with a galley in exchange for my honest opinion.

Fun read an orchestra the characters in it come alive.Full of humor very enjoyable look foward to next in series,

I really appreciated reading Isabel Rogers’ debut novel, “Life, Death and Cellos.” Sadly, I am no musician, however, I was still able to relish the orchestral elements that were so much a part of this hilarious novel.

I loved the highly original story of Stockwell Park Orchestra, which is having a difficult time, complete with a dead conductor, love affairs, a stolen cello and no money. Can Stockwell Park Orchestra possibly beat the odds to play another season?

For me, Isabel Rogers has written a wonderful and highly amusing masterpiece, complete with a brilliant, fast-paced plot and delightfully engaging characters. I loved the straightforward and easy to read writing style - can't wait to see what happens in book two!

“Life, Death and Cellos” is an ideal read for some great laughs, a bit of escapism and a touch of mystery.

My heartfelt thanks to NetGalley and Farrago for my free ARC, in exchange for my voluntary review, and my full applause to the author.

A delightful and funny story about a struggling south London amateur orchestra. Although essentially the story of Erin, a cellist becoming the star of the orchestra, it shows the humour, bitchiness and general mayhem that goes on when the said orchestra is both trying to prepare for a concert and raise funds to survive. Every character has their place, and the story feels very true to life.

I am not a musician by any means, so a lot of the music information was beyond my understanding, but the story still flowed along nicely. I am sure we have all met prima donna’s like Fenella, Mrs Ford-Hughes and Joshua, as well as characters like Ann, who has seen it all before, and injects just the right amount of cynicism and encouragement into the story. Well worth reading, a great start to a series.

Erin plays cello in a community orchestra, and she's in a relationship with the conductor. Her personal life and her musical experience both are just about what you would expect... until some very surprising events shake things up. A very public death, an amazing inheritance, a sudden job loss, an international logistics mix up, a mugging, and a life-changing connection -- and Erin finds herself on a very different path.

Don't expect a mystery. This is a straightforward novel which happens to have a detective as a minor character and is apparently kicking off a series. Will there be murder and mayhem in future books? I hope so, actually. The characters are intriguing and their relationships have plenty of room for development.

In this first installment, we're getting to know them and the orchestra. If you're a musician, you'll feel right at home. If you're not a musician, the details of music and musicians will give you insights into what it's like. Either way the witty descriptions poke gentle fun at community organizations and musicians.

Why does Erin find herself at the center of so many startling events as she moves through her ordinary days? That's not clear. Maybe the plot was intended to go in a different direction, or maybe it's just a reminder that life can be surprising. It's an enjoyable read, gracefully written.

A lovely, lighthearted story about an amateur orchestra and its woes. I loved the description of the different parts of the orchestra and their idiosyncrasies, and the light-hearted plot including a dead conductor, lack of money, and a stolen Stradivari cello.
I felt it a little sad that the main characters were not developed a little more, but I see, now I review this book, that it is the first in a series so that may be overcome as the series progresses.

This story did not immediately grab me. I kept reading for a bit and became totally engrossed in the story. The characters were well drawn and believable.
The story revolves around a planned concert, the first after a guest conductor dies mid-concert. There is the typical in-fighting/rivalry between musicians - that is very true to most community orchestras and choirs.
The addition of a Stradivarius cello coming into the possession of one of the less talented musicians adds a great jolt of energy to the story. The story is complex enough to be compelling, yet not so overdone as to feel you need a scorecard. Having been in a few choirs and being an amateur musician, I enjoyed the descriptions of the music as well as the musicians.
The surprises toward the end of the story will bring a smile to your face.

I read this book after having given up on another which I had been reading for a few weeks and could not get into, so was looking for a bit of light relief and easy reading - which this certainly was. The story developed quite quickly and you did not need to be a music technician to understand the more specific references. They appeared with other parts of the story between them so you were not put off by references to musical terms although a couple of times I thought the author got close to losing herself in explaining orchestral niceties - but thankfully realised and cut herself short. The ending was amusing and made me smile making the whole read worthwhile. Overall a book to read yourself or give to a friend with a slight classical musical bent - having sung in a choir I could relate to the process described!

A light read, the plot is full of musical references and I actually learned something new about the pieces involved. The book is full of humour from almost the first moment when a rich benefactress is squashed by the body of an overweught guest conductor who dies on the podium.
In return for her continnued patronage, she insists on performing with the orchestra in their next major concert..sadly she is tone deaf! How can the orchestra save their reputation and build on this situation...read on....
This is the story of the underdog, of a Stradivarius, of theft and of intrigue all delivered with a tongue in cheek humour. Its a nice light read and sounds like there are more to come in the series.

A must-read for anyone active on the amateur music scene!

This is a light-hearted, stereotype-driven piece which will appeal to those familiar with amateur music making, whether orchestral, choral or band. The writing, at times, leaves a lot to be desired and character development is limited. However, with a bit of imagination and projection, the gaps can easily be filled and before long I could but help myself attributing characters to real life friends and acquaintances in my own circles.

Suitable as a beach or bedtime read, this is escapism. If developed a little more I think the author could have had a class work here - as it is is it'll put a smile on your face and a flutter of recognition.

With thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the ARC.