Joseph Haydn Mystery

When his violinist disappears just weeks before the Empress's visit, Haydn is forced to confront a disturbing truth... Kapellmeister Joseph Haydn would like nothing better than to show his principal violinist, Bartó Daboczi, the door. But, with the Empress Maria Theresa's visit scheduled in three weeks, Haydn can ill-afford to lose his surly virtuoso. But, when Bartó disappears-along with all the music composed for the imperial visit-the Kapellmeister is forced to don the role of Kapell-detective, or risk losing his job. Before long, Haydn uncovers pieces of a disturbing puzzle. Bartó is more than just a petty thief, and more dangerous. And, what seemed like a minor musical mishap could modulate into a major political catastrophe unless Haydn can find his missing virtuoso.

When Monteverdi's lost operas surface, so does a killer desperate to possess them... Preoccupied with preparations for the opera season at Eszterháza, Kapellmeister Joseph Haydn receives a curious request from a friend in Vienna. Kaspar, an impoverished violinist with an ailing wife, wishes Haydn to evaluate a collection of scores reputed to be the lost operas of Monteverdi. Haydn is intrigued until Her Majesty, Empress Maria Theresa, summons him with a similar request. Skeptical of the value of Kaspar's bequest, Haydn nevertheless offers to help. But before he can examine the works, Kaspar is murdered-beaten and left to die in front of a wine tavern. The police are quick to dismiss the death as a robbery gone wrong. But Haydn is not so sure. Kaspar's keys were stolen and his house broken into. Could his bequest be genuine after all? And can Haydn find the true operas-and the man willing to kill for them?

When murder propels him backstage, Haydn is forced to confront a deadly killer. . .When the Burgtheater's impresario unexpectedly meets his maker, Joseph Haydn is relieved to learn no one expects him to look into the matter. The impresario was murdered-and the Salzburger believed to be the killer is already behind bars. But the impresario's untimely death is not without consequences. Haydn's employer insists he take over the dead man's duties. Handling the tedious technical details of putting on an opera is bad enough. Confronting the suspicious behavior backstage is even worse. Is an innocent man being sent to the gallows? Haydn is plagued by the question when his brother Michael confirms his worst fears. The Salzburger arrested for the murder is none other than Leopold Mozart-father of the well-known child prodigy currently in Vienna. Now, egged on by Michael-a close friend of the Mozarts-Haydn must prove Leopold innocent. Or risk his brother's ire forever!