An Unexpected Vitality begins with a bold reimagining of music history: in Vienna, 1791, as Mozart lies presumed dead, he suddenly awakens and hatches a secret plan to flee to London under a false death. His reasoning is mysterious - connected to an anonymous letter, a promise of riches, and a cryptic phrase about “resurrecting” himself. He orders his doctor to keep his survival a secret, setting in motion a centuries-long mystery.

In the present day, the story shifts to Edward Dean, a violinist from Ohio visiting his cousin, Dr. Herbert Hollis, a music professor in London. When Herbert disappears, Edward discovers his cousin had been investigating archival evidence suggesting Mozart lived past 1791 and resurfaced in England under an alias tied to the Freemasons. As Edward retraces Herbert’s steps - from Freemasons’ Hall to Royal Holloway University - he unravels a web of coded letters, forgotten records, and historical secrets that blur the line between legend and reality. An Unexpected Vitality blends historical intrigue with a modern detective narrative, exploring art, deception, and the enduring power of genius that refuses to die.