A dangerous duet : a novel

Format:

Book

Title:

A dangerous duet : a novel

Author:

Odden, Karen author

ISBN:

9780062796967

Edition:

First edition.

Publication:

New York, NY : William Morrow, an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers, [2018]

Physical Description:

385, 15 pages ; 21 cm

Summary:

"Nineteen-year-old Nell Hallam lives in a modest corner of Mayfair with her brother Matthew, an inspector at Scotland Yard. An exceptionally talented pianist, she aspires to attend the Royal Academy; but with tuition beyond their means, Nell sets out to earn the money herself--by playing piano in a popular Soho music hall. And the fact that she will have to disguise herself as a man and slip out at night to do it doesn't deter her. Spending evenings at the Octavian is like entering an alternate world, one of lively energy, fascinating performers, raucous patrons--and dark secrets. And when Nell stumbles upon the operations of an infamous crime ring working in the shadows of the music hall, she is drawn into a conspiracy that stretches the length of London. To further complicate matters, she has begun to fall for the hall owner's charismatic son, Jack, who has secrets of his own. The more Nell becomes a part of the Octavian's world, the more she risks the relationships with the people she loves. And when another performer is left for dead in an alley as a warning, she realizes her future could be in jeopardy in more ways than one."-- (Source of summary not specified)

Nell Hallam lives in a modest corner of Mayfair with her brother Matthew, an inspector at Scotland Yard. talented pianist, she aspires to attend the Royal Academy; but with tuition beyond their means, Nell sets out to earn the money herself-- by playing piano in a popular Soho music hall. She'll have to disguise herself as a man and slip out at night to do it, but spending evenings at the Octavian is like entering an alternate world, one of lively energy, fascinating performers, raucous patrons-- and dark secrets. When Nell stumbles upon the operations of an infamous crime ring working in the shadows of the music hall, she is drawn into a conspiracy that stretches the length of London. -- adapted from back cover

Subject(s):

Detective and mystery stories.

Murder -- Fiction.

Women pianists -- Fiction.

Passing (Identity) -- Fiction.

Police -- Fiction.

Secrets -- Fiction.

London (England) -- Fiction.

Geographic Term:

London (England) -- Fiction.

England -- London.

Genre:

Detective and mystery fiction.

Fiction.

Historical fiction.

Romantic suspense fiction.

Mystery fiction.

Holds:

Available:*

Library	Call Number	Status
Searching... Salem Main Library	MYSTERY Odden, K.	Searching... Unknown

Bound With These Titles

On Order

Summary

Winner of the New Mexico-Arizona Book Award for Historical Fiction

This dazzling new Victorian mystery from USA Today bestselling author Karen Odden introduces readers to Nell Hallam, a determined young pianist who stumbles upon the operations of a notorious--and deadly--crime ring while illicitly working as the piano player in a Soho music hall. Perfect for readers of Tasha Alexander, Anne Perry, and Deanna Raybourn.

Nineteen-year-old Nell Hallam lives in a modest corner of Mayfair with her brother Matthew, an inspector at Scotland Yard. An exceptionally talented pianist, she aspires to attend the Royal Academy; but with tuition beyond their means, Nell sets out to earn the money herself--by playing piano in a popular Soho music hall. And the fact that she will have to disguise herself as a man and slip out at night to do it doesn't deter her.

Spending evenings at the Octavian is like entering an alternate world, one of lively energy, fascinating performers, raucous patrons--and dark secrets. And when Nell stumbles upon the operations of an infamous crime ring working in the shadows of the music hall, she is drawn into a conspiracy that stretches the length of London. To further complicate matters, she has begun to fall for the hall owner's charismatic son, Jack, who has secrets of his own.

The more Nell becomes a part of the Octavian's world, the more she risks the relationships with the people she loves. And when another performer is left for dead in an alley as a warning, she realizes her future could be in jeopardy in more ways than one.

Reviews (2)

Publisher's Weekly Review

Set in London in 1875, this well-researched novel from Odden (A Lady in the Smoke) offers plenty of period detail, a sweet love story, and a plucky heroine. Nineteen-year-old Nell Halloran, a gifted musician, has one clear goal: to be accepted to study piano at the prestigious (and expensive) Royal Academy. To afford tuition, she has taken a job as an accompanist at the Octavian Music Hall. This requires her to disguise herself as a man and to sneak out of the home she shares with her older brother, Matthew, a Scotland Yard detective, for her nightly escapades. Meanwhile, the family doctor, James Everett, is concerned that Nell may be too passionately involved in her music and fears for her mental health. Nell's bravery and resourcefulness are tested when she becomes aware of a criminal organization involved in robbery and murder. If that weren't enough to keep her on her toes, she's also falling in love with one of her music hall companions. Fans of mystery-tinged historical romances will be satisfied. Agent: Josh Getzler, HSG Agency. (Nov.) © Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.

Booklist Review

Nell Hallam is a determined 19-year-old pianist in Victorian England who has been working as a music-hall piano player, disguised as a man, to earn money for further study at the Royal Academy. She lives comfortably with her brother, Matthew, a Scotland Yard inspector, but the tuition far exceeds their means. At the Octavian Theater, her disguise is quickly seen through by two young men, both of whom tell her conflicting versions of the same stories. After a female performer is left for dead in an alley, Nell begins to realize that the Octavian is a front for an infamous crime ring. She is horrified, but situations develop that make her hesitant to share her suspicions with her brother. The headstrong and engaging Nell evokes Victoria Thompson's Sarah Brandt and Tasha Alexander's Lady Emily Ashton.--Jane Murphy Copyright 2018 Booklist