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Murder in A-Major
- An Inspector Hermann Preiss Mystery
- Narrated by: Christopher Hirsh
- Length: 7 hrs and 4 mins
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Murder in A-Major
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Summary
Take one of the crowning musical geniuses of mid-nineteenth century Europe; surround him with enemies, some of whom are fiercely jealous of his talent, others in love with his beautiful wife (a musical genius in her own right); add several scoundrels including a seller of stolen jewels and a kleptomaniac music critic who ends up murdered under highly mysterious circumstances and there you have the world of Robert and Clara Schumann in the Germany of the 1850s, as told by the narrator, Dsseldorfs top detective, Inspector Hermann Preiss.
A delightful historical mystery with a light touch, the listener is lead into the world of mid-nineteenth century music, where classical composers were stars and their egos were just as monstrous as the rock stars of today. Enter Brahms as the latest rising star in the firmament, and the world of Robert and Clara Schumann is rocked to its core. A mysterious off-key A on the Schumanns piano leads to one of the more interesting cases that Inspector Preiss has ever tackled. But are all mysteries meant to be solved? Inspector Preiss has the final answer.
Editor reviews
A wonderful historical mystery that's perfect for classical music lovers. In this engrossing tale, Dusseldorf's number-one detective, Inspector Hermann Preiss, is investigating several crimes committed in the glittering 19th-century world of classical music composers Robert and Clara Schumann. There are jewel heists, adulterous schemers, kleptomaniac music critics, and at least one shocking and mysterious murder. Performer Christopher Hirsh does an excellent German accent, reminiscent of actor Christoph Waltz. A nice choice for those who like their mysteries on the lighter and more glamorous side, and with a rich historical setting.
What listeners say about Murder in A-Major
Average customer ratingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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Overall3 out of 5 stars
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Performance2 out of 5 stars
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Story3 out of 5 stars
- S. Edney
- 24-04-24
Odd
I listened to the whole thing and wondered why - I think because its history intrigued me even though the story was fanciful to say the least. The policeman - can’t really call him a detective as his girlfriend does all the work - is a classic unreliable narrator- we know very quickly that he’s not much cop (pun intended) and his role is to weave connections between assorted historical and fictional events. I suppose you have to care more than I do about the Schaumanns. However, what really puzzled me was the cod Bavarian accent. If the book is written in English but set entirely in Düsseldorf, an English, or even American voice would make more sense. You only need to put the accents in if there are a number of different nationalities in the story. I would have thought. I didn’t have to pay for it thank heavens.
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Overall2 out of 5 stars
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Performance2 out of 5 stars
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Story2 out of 5 stars
- Interceptor
- 04-11-24
Had to give up
Whilst The Mastersinger from Minsk was a decent enough read, this tale is just not in the same league. Not only is the "plot" fairly ridiculous but the narrator is all wrong to my ears. I like Morley Torgov and believe that he has fully researched the history of Robert Schumann's mental state but it's just come out a little contrived. I gave up after 5 hours in order to protect my own mental state.
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Overall1 out of 5 stars
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Performance4 out of 5 stars
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Story1 out of 5 stars
- Robert Sewell
- 27-02-24
Terrible
Amazing I actually finished it. the detective meant to be the best detective in Germany is useless. There is no real mystery , no real detective work and the crime isn't committed till half way through the book when it is there is only one real suspect. how the detective even has a job is the only real mystery.
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