Another “purely English murder” from a classic of the detective genre. Cyril Hare was a judge at the county court in Surey, and it is no coincidence that in this book the motives for the crime are explained by the peculiarities of British jurisprudence. So, a typical English town, where a provincial orchestra of amateur musicians gives a concert together with the famous virtuoso violinist. At the dress rehearsal during the day, the guest foreign star plays mercilessly and with inspiration. Then there is a quarrel between her and one of the orchestra musicians, and in the evening during the concert the artist is killed. Many people come under suspicion. The reader will truly enjoy immersing himself in the relaxed atmosphere of investigating a mysterious crime. The honor of solving the murder belongs to retired lawyer F. Pettigrew. More than anything, he wants to live in peace, and the last thing he wants is to participate in the investigation, which is being conducted by a newly appointed and self-confident police inspector. The reader can guess before the policeman who the murderer is if, like a lawyer, he knows and loves Dickens, as well as Mozart and Handel. In any case, this example of a magnificent English detective story, full of irony, will be appreciated. Miss Silver