Review - Murder in G Major

As some publishers, like Berkeley, have cut back on their mystery books they are offering, others are picking up the pace.  I have become more aware of Henery Press and their line of mysteries.  Somewhere in my internet wanderings or on a newsletter somewhere, I came across mention of this series featuring a young woman classical musician.  I had to read it, so I purchased it and kept moving it closer to the top of my To-Be-Read pile.  I am so glad I discovered this series.  See if this might be a new series for you too.

Author: Alexia Gordon

Copyright: Sept 2016 (Henery Press) 268 pgs

Series: 1st in Gethsemane Brown Mystery series

Sensuality: Mild

Mystery Sub-genre: Cozy Mystery

Main Character: Gethsemane Brown, African-American classical musician

Setting: Modern, Southwest Ireland Coast

Obtained Through: Personal Purchase

From book cover: "With few other options, African-American classical musician Gethsemane Brown accepts a less-than-ideal position turning a group of rowdy schoolboys into an award-winning orchestra. Stranded without luggage or money in the Irish countryside, she figures any job is better than none. The perk? Housesitting a lovely cliffside cottage. The catch? The ghost of the cottage’s murdered owner haunts the place. Falsely accused of killing his wife (and himself), he begs Gethsemane to clear his name so he can rest in peace. Gethsemane’s reluctant investigation provokes a dormant killer and she soon finds herself in grave danger. As Gethsemane races to prevent a deadly encore, will she uncover the truth or star in her own farewell performance?"

Gethsemane Brown is a fresh and unique amateur sleuth. She hears Tchaikovsky's "Pathetique" play as her internal warning system, she is independent, smart, and determined to make her last-chance job as a music teacher work by her team winning the Annual All-County School Orchestra Competition in 6 weeks - which will hopefully get her career jump-started.  She gets to live in the cabin that the great composer Eamon McCarthy lived, Carraigfaire Cottage.  Eamon McCarthy, the spitfire genius composer who is accused of killing his wife and then committing suicide, is the resident ghost who insists Gethsemane clear his name.  He does not like Gethsemane drinking his 12 year old special order whiskey either.  She makes a few friends in the town of Dunmullach, and Francis Grennan - co-worker in the school is a potential romantic interest in future books.

Carraigfaire Cottage, where Gethsemane is staying, and the nearby lighthouse provide great atmosphere, Dunmullach gives us the Irish culture, and St Brennan's School for Boys ends up giving Gethsemane her second chance in music.  These settings are utilized to great effect and bring the place to life.

I enjoyed this book and found it hard to put it down.  The plot immerses you in Eamon's world of twenty-five years ago as Gethsemane tries to unveil who killed him and his wife. The action is consistent and kept my interest.  The killer confrontation was deliciously tense and heart-pounding.  The wrap up leaves it open for future adventures with Gethsemane.

I thoroughly enjoyed this new series.  Don't worry, you don't have to be into classical music to enjoy the story.  I found Gethsemane very relatable and a delightful character. Eamon is a fiery Irishman who grew on me and I found I cared about his character finding some closure.  I even grew fond of the cottage too. Excellent mystery and writing, indulge yourself with this new series.

Rating:  Excellent - Loved it! Buy it now and put this author on your watch list