<p>Peter Diamond, head of the Criminal Investigation Division in scenic Bath, England, is investigating the murder of a young woman whose body has been found in the canal, the only clue to her identity a tattoo of a music note on one of her teeth. For Diamond, who wouldn’t know a Stradivarius from a French horn, the investigation is his most demanding ever.<br> <br>Meanwhile, strange things are happening to jobbing violist Mel Farran, who finds himself scouted by a very elite classical quartet—one whose previous violist disappeared without a trace. Despite the mystery shrouding the group, the chance to join is too good to pass up, and Mel finds himself in a cushy residency at Bath Spa University with the quartet--and embroiled in the unusually musical murder investigation. As the story unfolds in fugue-like counterpoint, Peter and Mel both learn frightening secrets about fandom and about what it takes to survive in the cutthroat world of professional musicians.<br> <br>Peter Lovesey has been hailed by the critics as "superlative," "a master of the genre," "never puts a foot wrong" and the Peter Diamond series as "one of the most enjoyable police series around." This new case for the much-loved detective will bring new praise and much satisfaction for his legions of fans.</p><br><br><br><i>From the Hardcover edition.</i>