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CRUEL MUSIC
by Beverle Graves Myers
Poisoned Pen Press, September 2006
312 pages
$24.95
ISBN: 1590582306


Buy in the UK | Buy in Canada

Tito Amato, the famous castrato, has returned home. Here he hopes to relax and recover from the previous tour. Unfortunately his desire is not to be. He is invited to speak with a member of the Inquisition, Senator Montorio. Montorio wants Tito to travel to Rome and sing at the home of Cardinal Fabiani. Tito must also spy and find out who Fabiani will support in the next conclave for Pope. If Fabiani does not support Montorio's choice, Tito must somehow change his mind.

Tito attempts to refuse as he is not a spy nor does he desire to be one. But Montorio has a secret weapon. Tito's brother Alessandro is now in prison on trumped-up charges of smuggling in spices. If Tito refuses to help, Alessandro will be killed. There is no question that Tito will be on the next boat to Rome and will do as Montorio bids.

Rome is in something of a turmoil. Pope Clement XII appears to be on his deathbed and there is a lot of scrambling to get supporters for the conclave upon his death. His illness is also an excuse for a lot of political scheming and petty revenge. Tito does his best to stay out of the morass and merely practice his art as an entertainer.

This is easier said than done. Shortly after his arrival, a young maid is found murdered. The body is disposed of but Tito feels a need to find the murderer. Not only does this quest offend his host; it also puts his life in danger. Tito must act quickly and responsibly in order to stay alive, find a murderer and get his brother freed from prison.

CRUEL MUSIC is the third mystery to feature Tito Amato. He has grown as a character throughout all of these books. While he started off unappealing and high-handed, he is now a grown-up with a much better understanding of how to act in society without being subservient and without being uppity. Tito's personal growth alone is a strong enough motivation to read this book.

Reviewed by Sarah Dudley, June 2006

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Contact: Yvonne Klein (ymk@reviewingtheevidence.com)


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