A sword, a book of music, and a murdered girl... Musician-sleuth Charles Patterson is called to a murder late one night – and is horrified to find he is acquainted with the victim, a young street-girl. There is little Patterson can do; his patron has arranged an engagement for him at a fashionable house party some miles away, and he must leave early next morning. But where Patterson goes, trouble is never far behind. A chance meeting with an American at the house party raises new questions about the murder – then he is attacked twice for no apparent reason. And his personal life, in the form of Esther Jerdoun, the wealthy woman he loves against all of society's conventions, is becoming more and more complicated... 4th in the Charles Patterson musical mystery series, set in early 18th century Newcastle.

In 18th century Newcastle, when a murder is discovered, musician Charles Patterson fears the woman he loves may be next.Italian actors...French spies...At least the thugs are English...Charles Patterson is not happy. It's the hottest June for years, he's stuck in musical rehearsals with a family of Italians, some local ruffians are after his blood, and someone is trying to break into the house of Esther Jerdoun, the woman he loves. When a murder is discovered, he fears Esther may be next. It's time to ask some tough questions. Who is the strange man masquerading under a false name? Are there spies abroad in Newcastle? Why is a psalm-teacher keeping vigil over a house in the town? And can Patterson find the murderer before he strikes again?

A Charles Patterson mystery - Newcastle-Upon-Tyne, 1736. A foggy September evening. When a child is ridden down and killed by an unknown horseman, musician sleuth Charles Patterson, the only witness close enough to see that the collision was no accident, vows to hunt down the rider. But there are distractions, including Richard Nightingale, a fashionable 'ladder-dancer', who arrives from London to cause havoc with the ladies. Then Nightingale himself is attacked, and Patterson realizes the situation is more complicated than he first thought . . .

Music may be the food of love...But it doesn't fill an empty belly Winter is not a good time for jobbing musicians in early 18th century Newcastle. The town has emptied for the season, and Charles Patterson, harpsichordist, concert arranger and tutor to the gentry, is down to his last few shillings. But Patterson has another talent: solving mysteries. When an unpopular organ builder thinks his life is in danger and a shop-boy dies in dubious circumstances, the offer of a substantial fee persuades him to seek answers to some difficult questions. Like, who stole the dancing-master's clothes? Why is a valuable organ up for raffle? And will Patterson escape whoever is trying to kill him?

The 18th century - a different world...But theft, blackmail and murder never change...In Newcastle-upon-Tyne in the 1730s, life is not easy for an impoverished musician.For Charles Patterson, violinist, harpsichord player, composer and would-be church organist, it's about to get a whole lot harder.First he is accused of stealing a valuable book. Then a cherished violin belonging to his flamboyant professional rival Henri le Sac disappears, rapidly followed by le Sac himself. And when the young apprentice he inherited from his rival is gruesomely murdered, Patterson starts to feel out of his depth.Strange goings-on at the elegant home of capricious Lady Anne leave him in fear for his health and sanity, and the lady's cousin, Esther Jerdoun, seems to be trying to warn him about something.The mystery deepens as the death toll mounts, and it becomes clear that things are not quite as they appear...

A Charles Patterson mysteryJanuary, 1737. Snow blankets Newcastle Upon Tyne. With plans afoot to build new Assembly Rooms for concerts, musician sleuth Charles Patterson is more concerned with the murder of an entire family. It looks an open-and-shut case—the murderer was the fashionable Alice Gregson, who'd upset several neighbours with her snobbish London airs and graces. But where is she now? And why is her sister convinced of her innocence? Patterson must solve the case before the snow clears, allowing the murder to escape the town...