Danse Macabre: A Daniel Jacobus Mystery
When internationally celebrated violin virtuoso Rene Allard is found grotesquely murdered, blind violin teacher and former concertmaster Daniel Jacobus finds himself reluctantly involved in what seems to be an open-and-shut case. For Allard’s rival, the sensational crossover violinst and former Allard student who calls himseslf BTower, has been observed at the scene of the crime with blood on his hands. Jacobus, the protagonist of Elias’ first novel, Devil’s Trill (2009), remains an irascible and not always likable amateur sleuth, but with the help of his longtime friend Nathaniel Williams, he is a formidable presence and, like a terrier, never lets go. Elias is no stylist, but the twists and turns of his plotting will keep readers guessing. The real hook here, however, is the insider’s view of the musical world; Elias is a well-known violinist and professor of music. --Michele Leber