I received this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

In this period drama, Theresa Schurman sees an attack and murder on the street. This brings her down a path with twists and unexpected turns. Deeply embedded in intrigue and the mysterious world of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart.

A powerful period novel places you in the past. This story is, yes, a mystery, but it deals with issues of antisemitism and sexism in this period of 1780s Vienna. You are learning while you follow the antics of the story. Theresa’s world is clearly well researched and framed in the emotional reactions of the time. This adds an emotional depth that is at times unexpected. It is a book with a conscious. You can see the cogs working beneath the page, and that is interesting.

Theresa’s character is enjoyable to read because she is a sharp and self-aware character who wants more out of her life. She is deeply flawed in the balance between her wants and desires, and that makes you route for her. She is driven out of the injustice of her own cause of the murder. In some ways, she is immature. In others, she has a stubbornness and willingness that is endearing. She is an adventure and mystery novel protagonist ready to run into danger.

This is a plot-driven novel. It is entirely focused on solving the mystery, and that causes the personal relationships to fall into the background. Some things have to fall to the wayside. I would have liked to see more of her with her mother, sister, brother. They are why she is fighting the patriarchy. These secondary characters are flat and given very little depth. We are told of relationships rather than seeing them. Though, this may be an issue of sequel.
Though it becomes slow, the plot acts as ammunition to carry the story through. I will not speak anymore of that as you’ll have to read to see how it unfolds.

If you want a story rooted in mystery and music, this one is for you.