{"product_id":"9781785305375-murder-ballad","title":"Murder Ballad","description":"\u003cmeta content=\"text\/html; charset=utf-8\" http-equiv=\"Content-Type\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eA gripping mystery of desire, betrayal and secrets set in the musical world of 18th century Edinburgh\u003cbr\u003eA story of betrayal, mystery, and the secrets some would die to protect. Isobel Duguid's tale takes us from Edinburgh's dazzling 18th century opera scene to the Old Tolbooth gallows.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e'A beautiful sensory overload . I didn't want it to end.'\u003c\/b\u003e \u003ci\u003e- Kirstin Innes, bestselling author of \u003c\/i\u003eScabby Queen\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eThree women. A deadly score to settle.\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eEDINBURGH, 1791. \u003c\/b\u003e Isobel Duguid and her friend, the famous castrato Clessidro, are stars of the Edinburgh Musical Society. Despite her cavalier attitude towards holding a tune, Clessidro's friendship and her own \u003cb\u003eshocking murder ballads\u003c\/b\u003e keep Isobel on stage and enjoying an opulent lifestyle in Auld Reekie.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eYet one night a note arrives from the mysterious Mrs Abercorn, regarding Isobel's most notorious song, \u003ci\u003eThe Fiddler's Wrath\u003c\/i\u003e. \u003cb\u003eIt's the tale of a prima donna who died of heartbreak after her husband committed murder and \u003cbr\u003ewas sent to the gallows.\u003c\/b\u003e Isobel is intrigued.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eBut Mrs Abercorn's curiosity is far more than a fickle interest and \u003cb\u003ethe truth is more complicated than anyone could have imagined\u003c\/b\u003e. As Isobel recounts rising through the social classes, her role in this ill-fated tune is brought to light, awakening the chilling retribution of a \u003cb\u003eonce buried secret\u003c\/b\u003e.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eA story of betrayal, mystery, and the secrets some would die to protect. Perfect for fans of \u003c\/b\u003e\u003cb\u003ePatrick Süskind \u003c\/b\u003e\u003ci\u003e\u003cb\u003ePerfume and \u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cb\u003eKate Foster's \u003ci\u003eThe Maiden.\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e'This \u003cb\u003eglorious romp through the filth, greed and duplicity of 18th century Edinburgh\u003c\/b\u003e is a feminist delight. Highly recommended.' \u003ci\u003e- Mary Paulson-Ellis\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e'A \u003cb\u003ewildly original\u003c\/b\u003e and alarmingly readable historical novel whose \u003cb\u003edark, blood-soaked narrative\u003c\/b\u003e takes us by surprise at every turn.' \u003ci\u003e- Andrew Taylor\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e'Tales of opera singers and murderers, of cobbled streets and Old Town tenements, of audacious women and what can befall them. \u003cb\u003eThe writing is sublime, I loved every word.\u003c\/b\u003e' \u003ci\u003e- Elissa Soave\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Rarewaves","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":41713056743521,"sku":"9781785305375","price":16.01,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0092\/7504\/8033\/files\/orig_36340938.jpg?v=1759436635","url":"https:\/\/www.rarewaves.com\/products\/9781785305375-murder-ballad","provider":"Rarewaves.com","version":"1.0","type":"link"}