With a fast tempo and twisting plot, Substitute Soloist shifts from mariachis to orchestras, embroiling the occasionally gullible but always endearing hero Andy Veracruz in murder and mystery. Rollicking fun, with a great cast of quirky friends. Never a sour note!
Kathy McIntosh, author of Mustard's Last Stand and Foul Wind
Substitute Soloist allows us a backstage view of the orchestra as Andy performs in Tucson and on a whirlwind trip to Europe, all the while searching for a murder suspect and trying to avoid becoming a victim himself.
Patricia Smith Wood, author of the Harrie McKinsey Mystery Series.
Excerpt:
I continued eavesdropping.
“Zoran made Liza's violin too, but they say hers is magical. I've heard the conductor bought it for her, but Zoran won't say. Have you ever played it?”
“Are you kidding? The other day I straightened her violin so that it wouldn't fall off the chair, and she almost broke my hand.”
“Was that the day she broke the conductor's baton?”
“No. That was the week before.”
“I'm surprised Moraes didn't kill her.”
“From the way Liza shouted back, I'm more surprised she didn't kill him!”
Andy Veracruz questions his decision to accept an orchestra job. He would rather play mariachi songs than classical symphonies. But when a man is found dead backstage and Liza, the star violinist, exits mid-concert, Andy springs into action to hunt down the brilliant but troubled musician. Andy starts by infiltrating orchestras where Liza performed in the past, but how can he find a violinist who is determined to hide? Worse, despite all the hours spent rehearsing, how will Andy explain himself to his fellow musicians when they realize he's a fraud?
Join Andy in his quest to find the elusive Liza while enjoying orchestra performances from the most dangerous angle: backstage.
AWARDS: Independent Publisher Book Awards, 2019, Silver Medalist
D.R. Ransdell has studied the violin since she was ten. By now she should be a soloist herself! Instead she performs mariachi music whenever she has the chance. She also joined a local orchestra and has been adjusting to the discipline of reading music ever since. Read more at www.dr-ransdell.com.
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