The Stradivarius
by Rae Knowles
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Pub Date 3 May 2023 | Archive Date 10 Sep 2023
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Description
When a surprise inheritance and whirlwind romance offer Mae a chance to escape her repressive aunt, she's all too eager to elope and start life anew in her childhood home. But when she and her new husband arrive, the towering Victorian sits in disrepair, and Mae learns that her father's decade-old, unsolved murder is still a source of rumor and speculation in town.
Leading the charge to unravel the mystery surrounding her father's death is Ollie, a vibrant genderqueer and an outsider in their hometown. Sure that solving the cold case will land them a coveted job in the police department, Ollie gains access to the Victorian by agreeing to do maintenance work on the property.
Inside, Mae is taunted by a feminine specter, soft voices from empty rooms, and distinct melodies of Lady Paola: the priceless, Stradivarius violin stolen the night of her father's murder.
Forte, mezzo-forte, the measured, andante cadence.
Her hiss, her pull, her scream.
Mae fears the house is haunted by her father's spirit, her husband believes she's going the way of her mother–slipping into madness, but Ollie suspects something more sinister is at play. If Ollie and Mae can't work together to uncover the Victorian's secrets, Mae will join her mother in an institution or her father in the grave.
Advance Praise
“Taught as the strings of the legendary violin itself, Knowles' Thriller will captivate you from the
first page to the last. Non-Binary representation, Sapphic elements, this is a very special book.”
—Chance Forshee, Curator of Horror
“The Stradivarius is claustrophobia incarnate. Each turn of the page creeps walls closer in with
cracks opening in their old, Victorian wood for eyes to peep through; even the air feels too thick for
sound to traverse…Knowles masterfully constructs a mystery that twists and turns in places one
least expects; even when the pieces seem to all fit together, both the main character, Mae, and you
the reader will be forced to question everything with the rampant gaslighting that nails self doubt in
among the tight wooden walls. With such a visceral and realised world that often feels alive, the
rising feminine rage that boils right until the last page, and a well thought out mystery that seems to
always be a few steps ahead of you, The Stradivarius is an absolute must have.”
—Sapphire Lazuli, Author, Blogger at sapphirelazuli.com, & Youtube Video Essayist
@sapphicsapph
Rae Knowles writes beautifully and precisely. The Stradivarius is an unforgettable read!
—Samantha Kolesnik, author of Waif and True Crime
“Goddamn if this isn’t a delicious, Ingrid Bergman Gaslight (1944) vibes—just as thrilling and
tantalizing. Rae Knowles is on my insta-buy list!”
—Sadie Hartmann, Author of 101 Horror Books to Read Before You're Murdered, Bram Stoker Awards®
nominated editor
Available Editions
| EDITION | Ebook |
| ISBN | 9781957537511 |
| PRICE | US$0.99 (USD) |
| PAGES | 247 |
Links
Available on NetGalley
Featured Reviews
Michelle C, Book Trade Professional
Featuring the lush writing from Rae Knowles that we've all come to know and love coupled with the masterfully done creeping sensation that something is not quite right, THE STRADIVARIUS is a twisty debut that should not be missed!
Samantha E, Book Trade Professional
The Stradivarius is one of the most anxiety inducing, claustrophobic books I’ve read in a while. After inheriting her late fathers house, Mae moves out of her aunt’s place with her new husband Carter. As soon as they arrive, strange things begin to happen in the house while Carter is gone. Amongst all of this, Mae wonders about the missing Stradivarius violin her father had likely been killed for.
Carter convinces Mae and everybody around her that she is insane, taking away any chance of other believing the house is haunted. He makes it so no one would believe anything she said.
The story is fast paced and stressful, with a well developed twist planted in the narrative. If you’re a fan of thrillers with a spooky edge to them, this is a must read!
Ashley M, Reviewer
Wow! Such a beautifully dark thriller and twisted! I enjoy mystery/thriller/horror but it isn’t my go-to choice. However, I am so glad that I scored this copy! I received this eARC from NetGalley for my unbiased opinion. Thank you.
Callie T, Reviewer
What an incredible read!! Knowles did everything absolutely right with this one.
The story follows Mae, a woman with an unfortunate background who falls into one hell of a Gothic, specter filled adventure.
I truly enjoyed this read and cannot wait for more from this author!!
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