Nightmusic

NightMusic is a novel/mystery for everyone. It's Mathew's story about Mozart, Milan and so much more. The protagonist, Mathew Pierce, after finding what appears to be Mozart's diaries, travels in Europe, a guest of his mentor, Vicomte Rene de Laguerelle. In the process Pierce finds out much about the diary and more about Mozart's world. The plot moves quickly thanks to the authors writing style. Along the way you meet some interesting, sometimes wealthy, sometimes talented, and often complicated people some of whom know each other too well. Mathew doesn't know some of them well enough, and doesn't know others soon enough. The novel clips right along. It felt like I was watching a movie. The chapter in the monastery in Prague moves like "Indiana Jones" in a "Name of the Rose" setting. The descriptions of LaFavorite, de Laguerelle's estate, reminds me of "Restoration". Although, Laguerelle's estate also brings to mind so much of what I love about Versailles. AND, speaking of movies, Slater ought to consider writing screenplays. The descriptions of the people and places are accurate, detailed, involved, and surprising. Slater knows people well, and of course he visited all these places, and he shares his best research with his reader. When he talks of Nancy, for example, he has one of his characters mention "Nancy is beautiful, it was designed by a polish king (living in Nancy after loosing his throne). He uses & translates the Italian and French (and this novel is Italian and French) so subtly, so skillfully; you felt that you've always read French/Italian - even if you never have. Slater creates many parallels between Mozart and Matthew Pierce, and often the juxtaposition of other places, people, writings and cities is astonishing. The creator of the book jacket must have recognized these parallels and juxtapositions. Sometimes Slater weaves two people and two epochs into four or five paragraphs, sentence by sentence. Not only is this mystery a thrill, full of facts, and well written; this mystery moves, and it's moving!

I thoroughly enjoyed this novel. The plot is complicated but the author sustains the reader's interest. Mixing history with a fictional character, the story centers around a musicologist who has found the lost Mozart diaries. This discovery leads to a series of events involving intrigue and murder. The writer's description of Europe, the cities, hotels, and monuments is wonderful, as the reader believes he/she is there. I especially liked the quotations leading off the chapters and their linkage to the plot. The culinary descriptions are exquisite. It makes you want to try those sophisticated dishes, wines, and champagnes. The diaries keep you in suspense. Which ones are true? Lust, greed, love, and beauty are not lacking either. Much can be learned from this book which offers a strong cultural slant to a good story. Every college student would benefit greatly from reading it.

"NightMusic" is a great read. Or better still, it's a great romp with a fascinating cast of characters, ranging from prima donnas, to royalty, devious manuscript dealers, and underworld figures. The plot is a wild ride on a corniche road with dangerous twists and turns, sudden stops and starts. The book has sparkling dialogue, stunning personality clashes, hilarious encounters and super sex. Beyond its great entertainment value, the book has real depth. The narrator, Matthew Pierce, goes through an agonizing voyage of self-discovery. Other characters face serious conflicts and life decisions. The book is also a guided tour of the great cities and houses of Europe with intricate detail of art works, furnishings, and the pleasures of gourmet dinners and the world's best wine and champagnes. The solid foundation of the book is the story of Mozart: his travels, music, conflicts and loves - beautifully handled by the author, a well-known Mozart expert. "NightMusic" should appeal to Mozart and mystery lovers, and equally to readers who enjoy a substantial and fascinating novel.

I found NightMusic a very interesting read. It takes the reader into a world of beauty, muysic, and interesting people. Plus, it has an excellent mystery plot. Although NightMusic takes place in the present time, it also goes back into the epoch of Mozart and works well as a period novel. The description of the cities (Nancy, Rome, Venice, Vienna, Prague, London, Geneva, Salzburg) are so real, I felt like I was there.