{"product_id":"murder-ballad-a-gripping-mystery-of-desire-betrayal-and-secrets-set-in-the-musical-world-of-18th-century-edinburgh","title":"Murder Ballad: A gripping mystery of desire, betrayal and secrets set in the musical world of 18th century Edinburgh","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e'A rich, ripe, gorgeously seedy mystery.'\u003c\/b\u003e \u003ci\u003e- Kirstin Innes, bestselling author of \u003c\/i\u003eScabby Queen\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eEDINBURGH, 1791. \u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003eBallad singer Isobel Duguid and her friend, the famous castrato Clessidro, are \u003cb\u003estars of the Edinburgh Musical Society\u003c\/b\u003e. Despite Isobel's brash singing style, Clessidro's friendship and her own shocking murder ballads keep her on stage and enjoying \u003cb\u003ean opulent lifestyle in Auld Reekie\u003c\/b\u003e. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eYet one night a note arrives from the mysterious Mrs Abercorn, regarding \u003cb\u003eIsobel's most notorious song, \u003ci\u003eThe Fiddler's Wrath\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e. It's the tale of a prima donna who died of heartbreak after her husband committed murder and was sent to the gallows.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eBut as Isobel will discover, \u003cb\u003eMrs Abercorn's curiosity is far more than just a fickle interest\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 once-buried secret.\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 Suskind \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'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'I couldn't put it down. The writing \u003cb\u003eoozes passion and guts, interlaced with a dark humour\u003c\/b\u003e.' - \u003ci\u003eDevika Ponnambalam\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\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e'A \u003cb\u003egripping and grisly \u003c\/b\u003etale of opera, art and ownership set in eighteenth-century Edinburgh' - \u003ci\u003eLynsey May\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePaperback \/ softback | 384 pages | Published May 2025\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Black and White Publishing","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":63956764721501,"sku":"9781785307522","price":12.99,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true}],"url":"https:\/\/www.thebookmark.ie\/products\/murder-ballad-a-gripping-mystery-of-desire-betrayal-and-secrets-set-in-the-musical-world-of-18th-century-edinburgh","provider":"The Bookmark ","version":"1.0","type":"link"}