DEATH IN A MAJOR
A
Music Lover’s Mystery
By Sarah Fox
Witness
Impulse
January 5,
2016
E-ISBN 9780062413017 * $2.99
About
the Book
The new season for the Point Grey Philharmonic starts
off on a sour note when one of the symphony’s wealthy benefactors drops dead in
the second Music Lover’s Mystery from author Sarah Fox.
When Archibald Major, local big wig and nasty tyrant,
drops dead at a post-concert reception, violinist Midori Bishop soon suspects
foul play. Although Midori has no intention of getting involved in another
murder investigation, that all changes when Jordan - her violin student and the
victim’s grandson - seeks her help convincing the police that the real killer
is his uncle, a low-level criminal.
As Midori digs into the victim’s life, she discovers
that he was a man who created discord at every turn, even within his own
family, and there is no shortage of potential suspects. When someone close to
Midori unexpectedly confesses to the crime, Midori must race to discover the
identity of the true killer before an innocent person goes to jail for a crime
they didn’t commit… and before Midori herself becomes a victim in the killer’s
deadly encore.
Excerpt:
Mr.
Major raised his glass. “To beautiful music and …” His eyes roamed over our
bodies again. “… to even more beautiful musicians.”
I
stifled another gag and managed a weak, insincere smile before sipping at my
champagne. I would need something stronger if I was expected to spend much more
time with the old sleazebag.
“Evening, ladies, Mr. Major.” Maestro Hans
Clausen appeared by my side, a charming smile on his face. “I hope you enjoyed
the concert,” he said to Major.
“As
always.”
Hans
put a hand to the middle of my back as he addressed Major again. “I’m sorry to
steal Midori and Mikayla away from you, but I need to have a quick word with
them.”
“Of
course.” Mr. Major raised his champagne flute to me and Mikayla once more as
the maestro ushered us several feet away.
As we
came to a stop next to a pedestal displaying a bust of Beethoven, I stepped to
the side so the maestro’s hand no longer rested on my back. “You need to speak
to us?” I might have sounded suspicious, and I was. What could be so important
that it couldn’t wait until another time?
“Actually,
no.” Hans flashed his charming smile again. “But I thought you might need
rescuing from Mr. Major. He’s known for his … rather inappropriate interest in
young, beautiful women.”
“Thank
you, Maestro,” Mikayla said. “Much appreciated. He did have the effect of
making me feel a desperate need for a thorough shower.” Her eyes drifted to
Dave Cyders, one of our bassoonists, where he stood across the room. “Will you
excuse me?”
I
wanted to grab her arm to hold her there but she was already gone, leaving me
alone with the man I’d had a short-lived relationship with the previous spring.
Until I’d discovered that he was a jerk and a liar. His good looks and
charismatic smile had charmed me in the beginning, but finding out that he was
carrying on with Elena at the same time had doused the flames of attraction
with icy water.
Since
then I’d managed to maintain a professional relationship with him for the sake
of my career, but I still wasn’t keen on spending time alone with him. Mikayla
knew that full well, and yet she’d abandoned me for her bassoonist boyfriend. I
shot a glare at her retreating back before returning my attention to Hans.
“I’m
sure we could have handled Mr. Major on our own, but thank you anyway.” I stepped
toward the food tables, intending to distance myself from Hans, but he had
other ideas.
“Midori.”
He put a hand to my elbow to stop me.
I
sighed, perhaps somewhat dramatically, and turned back to face him. “I thought
you didn’t need to speak with us.”
“Well,
no.” He rubbed the back of his neck with one hand, reminding me of how I used
to like running my fingers through the blond hair at the base of his skull when
we kissed. “But I was hoping to tell you something.”
I
waited.
“Elena
and I have broken things off. For good this time.”
I
blinked at him. “I’m not sure how I’m supposed to respond to that. Sorry?
Congratulations?”
“I
just wanted you to know.”
“I
don’t know why.”
It
was his turn to sigh, but that didn’t move me, nor did the disappointment in his
ice blue eyes.
“I
thought we’d come to an agreement,” I said. “Months ago.”
“We
did.”
“Then
let’s stick to it. Besides, I’m seeing someone.” I didn’t wait around to see
his reaction to that news. “Excuse me.”
Relieved
to have extracted myself from that conversation, I finally made it over to the
food, grumbling to myself in my head as I went. Did Hans expect me to throw
myself into his arms? There was no way that would happen. Besides, Elena had
once told me that Hans always went back to her. Why would I believe things
would be any different this time? Even if their breakup really was final, I’d
never go back to someone who’d treated me as Hans had, even if I wanted to.
Which I most definitely didn’t. I’d well and truly moved on, and I wished he
would do the same.
Pushing
thoughts of Hans from my mind and focusing on the enticing spread of food, I
bypassed the mini quiches and zeroed in on the colorful petits fours. I
selected a chocolate one and took a nibble.
Divine.
I
bypassed the mini quiches and zeroed in on the colorful petits fours. I
selected a chocolate one and took a nibble.
Divine.
“Those
look delicious.” Mikayla reached past me to snatch a petit four with pink and
white icing.
I
narrowed my eyes at her as she tasted the little cake.
“Mmm.
They are.” She took a second bite before noticing my glare. “What?” she asked
once she’d swallowed.
“You
totally abandoned me.”
“I
did, didn’t I? Sorry.”
“So
much for loyalty between stand partners,” I said melodramatically. “Leaving me
to suffer in my time of need.”
“I’m
sorry,” she said again. “I sensed incoming awkwardness and bolted.” She
finished off her petit four. “Are you going to tell me what he said to you?”
I let
out a huff, but decided to let her treachery slide. “He wanted to tell me that
he and Elena have broken up.” I rolled my eyes. “Did he really think I’d care?”
“Do
you?”
“Of
course not.”
“Good.
You’re much better off with Aaron,” she said, referring to my boyfriend.
I
washed down my last bite of cake with a sip of champagne. “I know.” And I did.
Aaron was gorgeous and sweet, with a British accent that made my knees weak,
and he’d never given me any reason to believe he was anything but genuine. He
was worth a hundred Hans Clausens.
“Speaking
of Aaron,” Mikayla went on, “when’s he coming back from London?”
“Tomorrow.”
The word came out with a heavy sigh.
“Wow.
Such enthusiasm.”
I
cringed. “I didn’t sound enthusiastic?”
“Um.
No.” Mikayla eyed me over her champagne flute as she took a long sip. “What’s
going on?”
“Nothing.”
That
was the truth. At least, I thought it was. Aaron had spent the last three
months in the UK and Europe, touring with his cousin’s band, so I hadn’t seen
him in person for what felt like ages. Maybe I was worried that our
relationship wouldn’t be quite the same after such a lengthy time apart, but
surely such a concern was unfounded. Wasn’t it?
I
decided a quick change of subject was in order. “How are things with you and
Dave?”
Mikayla
had been dating the bassoonist for over four months now.
“Great,”
she said. “But you’re changing the subject.”
Darn.
I should have known she’d notice.
“We’ll
talk later,” I said as I took a step away from her. For some reason that I
couldn’t quite pinpoint, the thought of discussing Aaron any further made my
stomach twist into knots.
Purchase Here:
DEATH IN A MAJOR –
Praise for Sarah
“Readers are kept in suspense as each spinetingling event moves them towards an unforgettable ending. Sarah Fox delivers murder mystery with believable characters and earns a thumbs up.” — Authors on the Air Global Radio Network on DEAD RINGER
“While Midori may be clueless in love, she is good at asking questions. It is easy to understand how difficult it is for her to leave the investigating to the police, particularly once she has begun. Her actions are believable, if at times rash. Dead Ringer is an entertaining cozy with just the right amount of suspense. It is a great choice for reading on a lazy summer afternoon.” — Mutt Cafe on DEAD RINGER
“Readers are in for a treat with Sarah Fox’s new cozy...out of love, Midori sticks her nose in every place she can, which makes her a perfect heroine for lovers of mysteries. Readers will be pleased with the sheer entertainment of Fox’s plot.”— Suspense Magazine on DEAD RINGER
About
the Author
Sarah Fox was born and raised in Vancouver, British
Columbia where she developed a love for mysteries at a young age. When not
writing novels or working as a legal writer she is often reading her way
through a stack of books or spending time outdoors with her English Springer Spaniel.
Connect
with Sarah Fox
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