What an interesting read! While my 7 years of school band doesn't really compare to professional opera, it is what made me initially interested in this book. It falls into the cozy mystery category for me over a more intense thrillery type read. In 2022 when Aria was published there were a few other books featuring a more naïve MC and I liked this one the most as the others I didn't even finish. I struggled to connect to characters but that could just be a me thing, however the writing and story kept me engaged and I'm looking forward to other books by Erica Miner!

This was a very interesting mystery series. I love that it is set at the Metropolitan Opera House! I also loved the opera references in the story. Julie was a very loyal friend and a fun protagonist! I liked her being an amateur sleuth. The mystery was very well-written! I didn’t know who the murderer was until the reveal! Overall, it was a light and entertaining cozy mystery series! I look forward to more!

A clever plot which takes us behind the scene of the opera world. Well written.
Many thanks to Level Best Books and to Netgalley for providing me with a galley in exchange for my honest opinion.

2.5 stars. This was an ok book, I liked learning about the way the opera works, and the mystery was decent. However I have a few gripes, the main character seems way too naive and trusting for what she’s been through. The characters are one dimensional. They are also very inconsistent, the storyline with the main love interest doesn’t make any sense given the main character’s trauma. All the romance aspects are disturbing, being that all those characters are all her dead fathers age. Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for providing me with a copy.

Thank you, Level Best Books and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC.

As a reader, I am happiest when I discover a new writer, when I learn something new, and ARIA FOR MURDER did double-time. I was introduced to a world hidden from the audience—the orchestra pit—and to the hidden histories of the Metropolitan Opera, Lincoln Center, and the wonderful world of opera. It’s a good thing that the famous aria Nessun Dorma means ‘No one shall sleep’ because you won’t fall asleep reading this impressive first novel in the Kogan Opera Mystery series. Erica Miner has created a world few people know or have access to. A mystery with music beyond the words on the page. If all music aspires to the human voice, this author has found hers from the start.

Excitement mounts as the moment arrives for brilliant young violinist Julia Kogan’s debut in the orchestra of the world-renowned Metropolitan Opera. But the high-stakes milieu of this musical mecca is rocked to its core when, during an onstage murder scene, Julia’s mentor, a famous conductor, is assassinated on the podium. Thrust into the investigation when her closest colleague in the orchestra is named chief suspect, Julia teams up with opera-loving NYPD detective Larry Somers to solve the murder. In the process, they are shocked to discover the venerable opera house is rife with a web of secrets, intrigue, and lethal rivalries. But all bets are off when Julia suddenly finds herself the real killer’s prime target. This was such a well written story with lots of attention to detail. Not only did I learn a ton about the world of opera but I enjoyed a very satisfying mystery! I can’t wait for more with these characters. Thank you NetGalley for the advanced readers copy for review.

Having inside knowledge of a venue and the inner machinations and politics gives a writer a foot up but it doesn’t guarantee success. The protagonist was not relatable nor believable. The characters were shallow and unlikeable. The dialog was stilted when it wasn’t pretentious. The people doing the murdering were not difficult to pinpoint. I was really hoping for more and came away disappointed.

Thank you Level Best Books and NetGalley for a copy.

3.5 upped to 4
I think there's a lot of potential and loved the world of Metropolitan Opera. Julia, the MC, is a bit too naif and I wasn't a huge fan.
There's potential in this story as the mystery is quite solid and the setting is fascinating.
I think it could become a good series.
Many thanks to the publisher for this arc, all opinions are mine

This is a cozy mystery which means it’s light hearted, and an easy read. However, I found myself struggling to connect with any of the characters. I didn’t particularly like Julia, the MC, which isn’t a deal breaker in books but in this one it didn’t help. The setting, an orchestra at the MET is a nice change if pace from the usual cozy mystery settings. If you’re looking for a quick read this would be a good book for that, especially if you’re coming from a heavier book. I think others would probably really enjoy this book; it just wasn’t for me.

I received a copy of this book from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Aria For Murder is the first book that I have read by Erica Miner and unfortunately it will probably be the last. There is murderer on the loose killing people who are a part of an opera at the Met. Julia, a violinist, is on a mission to figure out who the killer is in order to clear her friend’s name, but doing so puts her life at risk, because the killer is closer than she thinks.
I tried to like this story, but I just couldn’t get into it. It never grabbed me and I didn’t really like any of the characters either. Julia was just too naive to be believable and the cops didn’t come across as quick on their feet as should have either.

Being both an opera fan and an avid crime fiction reader, I had great hopes for this novel. There are entertaining snippets of both operatic lore and backstage workings of major theatrical venues. Sadly, the point of view characters - of which there were many - came across as unlikeable at best, and uninteresting otherwise. No character actions, reactions, or dialogue felt at all realistic for the situations they were all in. The clues/foreshadowing were very obvious. Disappointing.

Musical Murder…
The first in the Julia Kogan Opera Mystery series and our introduction to the talented young violinist. When an on stage murder scene becomes all too real, Julia is thrust into a mystery and mounts a determined effort to clear a colleague’s name. Is she, however, about to place her own life in jeopardy? With a well drawn and credible cast of eclectic characters, an atmospheric setting and a solid mystery at heart this is a satisfying and enjoyable introduction to the series.

I am sorry I did not particularly like this one. Firstly it smacked of snobbishness and elitism. I realise that the author was trying to convey the attitudes of the characters populating the opera house environment but I feel that it was also innate in her own attitude, albeit mildly.
Secondly I could not feel symaptico with Julia. she remained two dimensional for me throughout the novel. Her self protective shell came completely unstuck. She went from never allowing anyone to touch her, to going home with a handsome man, even knowing his reputation as a Lothario, and I felt it was unconvincing. And why would she give her precious gift from Abel to him? Without making a copy. Her interactions with Larry were also unconvincing to say the least.
And it was so obvious to me as a reader who the villain was not even halfway through.
The ages of the men seemed out of kilter. Apparently they were thick as thieves at a camp as boys? However their ages in the current time seemed disparate. Abel was written as a father figure, Sidney as an older man, Matt as head stage hand was implied at being younger. As Abel’s brother, Charles had to be of fairly advanced years too. Yet three of them were hitting on a 22 y.o. Sounds like a bunch of sleazy old men. Would Julia really be interested in them? Yes possibly as a father figure replacement that might convince. But it was not supported sufficiently. The behind the scenes glimpses were interesting however.
I won't post on social media because I prefer not to write negatively about an author's work. They put a lot of time and themselves into it, and it's not fair to them just because I don't like their work.

In the Prologue of ARIA FOR MURDER, the author, Erica Miner, lets the reader know that there was no better time for an assassination than opening night at the Met. I was intrigued and began my reading journey. Julia Kogan, a 22-year-old violinist, performs for the first time with the Metropolitan Opera House’s pit orchestra in an opening-day production of Verdi’s DON CARLO. Abel Trudeau, the orchestra’s conductor and Julia’s mentor, is shot dead while conducting. Who murdered Abel? Was Abel the intended target?Abel leaves Julia a song. What does it mean? Did the song leave a clue about the murderer’s identity?

I recommend this cozy mystery and look forward to reading other books written by Erica Miner. While I’m a musician, and the subject matter appeals to me, I think that non-musicians will also enjoy reading ARIA FOR MURDER.

The DRC (digital reader’s copy) of this book was provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. I actually received this book after the publication date, but I would still like to thank the author, the publisher, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review it.

I enjoyed this! I love going into books as blind as possible because I love being surprised. This was one of those things. I really loved and enjoyed this!

Well written with tons of memorable characters. It's hard not to get swept away by the setting. Loved this one!

This was a great start to the Julia Kogan Opera Mystery series, it had a great concept for a mystery. It had a great plot going on and did everything that a good mystery should do. The characters were what I hoped they would be and really enjoyed getting to know them. It left me wanting more and really glad I was able to read this. I hope there is more in this series.

“Abel didn’t make mistakes. He was the most meticulous person I ever knew. He must have known what he was doing.” Julia pointed to the bottom of the page. “Though he did tell me there were some last-minute changes.”

Such a unique book, I loved the plot and oh my god the characters we're so amazing!! I definitely will be recommending it!!