Murder in G Major by Alexia Gordon Series: Gethsemane Brown Mysteries #1
Published by Henery Press on September 13, 2016
Genres: Mystery, Paranormal
Pages: 280
Format: eARC
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With few other options, African-American classical musician Gethsemane Brown accepts a less-than-ideal position turning a group of rowdy schoolboys into an award-winning orchestra. Stranded without luggage or money in the Irish countryside, she figures any job is better than none. The perk? Housesitting a lovely cliffside cottage. The catch? The ghost of the cottage's murdered owner haunts the place. Falsely accused of killing his wife (and himself), he begs Gethsemane to clear his name so he can rest in peace. Gethsemane's reluctant investigation provokes a dormant killer and she soon finds herself in grave danger. As Gethsemane races to prevent a deadly encore, will she uncover the truth or star in her own farewell performance?
Murder in G Major drew me in because of the mix of mystery and music, set in Ireland to boot. I did have a problem with the whole set up of how Gethsemane at the school and cottage; it just seemed a bit of a stretch, but it’s certainly not the first cozy mystery to force its heroine into the spot she needs to be.
It’s not surprising really that the Irish town is full of an odd mix of people, some good, some bad, some amusing, some crazy. Actually, even the cottage being haunted fits. I did love the interactions between Gethsemane and her ghost, the composer Eamon McCarthy. She’s feisty, he’s a hot head, together they’re perfect. I liked the school kids too, even if they weren’t really given much screen time.
The mystery itself was good, just the right amount of clues and suspects. and there was one bit of the ending that I just loved. This is the first in the series and I’m looking forward to seeing how Gethsemane’s friendships with the townsfolk evolve.
All in all, it was an okay book, a typical cozy with a ghost thrown in. If you like similar books, cozy mysteries with a touch of paranormal, pick it up. If not, don’t bother, it’s not good enough to make you step out of your comfort zone.
About Alexia Gordon
A writer since childhood, Alexia Gordon won her first writing prize in the 6th grade. She continued writing through college but put literary endeavors on hold to finish medical school and Family Medicine residency training. She established her medical career then returned to writing fiction. Raised in the southeast, schooled in the northeast, she relocated to the west where she completed Southern Methodist University’s Writer’s Path program. She admits Texas brisket is as good as Carolina pulled pork. She practices medicine in El Paso. She enjoys the symphony, art collecting, embroidery, and ghost stories.
Nice cozy
Hmm, a cosy with a touch of the paranormal. I am intrigued.