Winner of the New Mexico-Arizona Book Award for Historical Fiction
This dazzling new Victorian mystery from USA Today bestselling author Karen Odden introduces readers to Nell Hallam, a determined young pianist who stumbles upon the operations of a notorious--and deadly--crime ring while illicitly working as the piano player in a Soho music hall. Perfect for readers of Tasha Alexander, Anne Perry, and Deanna Raybourn.
Nineteen-year-old Nell Hallam lives in a modest corner of Mayfair with her brother Matthew, an inspector at Scotland Yard. An exceptionally talented pianist, she aspires to attend the Royal Academy; but with tuition beyond their means, Nell sets out to earn the money herself--by playing piano in a popular Soho music hall. And the fact that she will have to disguise herself as a man and slip out at night to do it doesn't deter her.
Spending evenings at the Octavian is like entering an alternate world, one of lively energy, fascinating performers, raucous patrons--and dark secrets. And when Nell stumbles upon the operations of an infamous crime ring working in the shadows of the music hall, she is drawn into a conspiracy that stretches the length of London. To further complicate matters, she has begun to fall for the hall owner's charismatic son, Jack, who has secrets of his own.
The more Nell becomes a part of the Octavian's world, the more she risks the relationships with the people she loves. And when another performer is left for dead in an alley as a warning, she realizes her future could be in jeopardy in more ways than one.
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In USA Today bestselling author Karen Odden's gripping new Victorian mystery, a determined young pianist stumbles upon the operations of a notorious--and deadly--crime ring while illicitly working in a Soho music hall
London, 1875. Nineteen-year-old Nell Hallam lives in a modest corner of Mayfair with her brother, Matthew, an inspector at Scotland Yard. An exceptionally talented musician, Nell aspires to attend the Royal Academy. But with tuition beyond their means, Nell sets out to earn the money herself, by playing piano at the Octavian, a popular Soho music hall. The fact that she must disguise herself as a man and sneak out at night to do so doesn't deter her.
Spending evenings under the glittering stage lights of the Octavian makes Nell feel as though she has discovered a foreign land, with captivating acts, fascinating performers, and raucous patrons. But beyond the music hall's burnished facade lurk brutal secrets. And the more Nell becomes a part of this world, the more she must deceive the people she loves, especially when she begins to fall for the owner's enigmatic son, Jack.
Soon, Nell finds herself entangled in a crime ring that stretches the length of London, with no idea whom she can trust. And when her brother begins a murder investigation that has undeniable connections to Nell's hidden life, she realizes it is not only her future that is at stake.
