The Case of the Orphaned Bassoonists: A Cassandra Reilly Mystery

Rating:
Summary: fun and interesting mystery
Review: Although the characters in this mystery are not particularly sympathetic, the story is original and well told. The main character Cassandra gives us a magnificent tour of Venice - showing parts that most people are unfamiliar with, making one of the most enchanting cities seem even more enchanting. The music history that is expained is equally enthralling. The plot has some twists and turns, and makes for a fun read.

Rating:
Summary: An entertaining mystery
Review: Cassandra Reilly, a book translator, goes to Venice to help her friend Nicky Gibbons (a bassoonist) when she's accused of stealing a priceless bassoon. Each of the other musicians has her or his own secrets, and when one of them is murdered, Cassandra is as baffled as everyone else (including the reader). And what of the mysterious oboe player Anna de Hoog? When she makes the moves on Cassandra, is there something more sinister in mind? Barbara Wilson's mystery is an entertaining story with many bewildering turns. As a reader, I didn't feel for any of the characters here, but rather I was enchanted by the sights of Venice and the fascinating history Nicky and Cassandra explore about Vivaldi and the orphaned girls who became musicians.

Rating:
Summary: Unlikable Characters - Disappointing Mystery
Review: Cassandra Reilly, translator and accidental detective, is in rare form in Barbara Wilson's third outing in this delicious travel-cum-mystery series (following in the illustrious footsteps of "Gaudi Afternoon" set in Barcelona and "Trouble in Transylvania" set in GuessWhere). This time, Cassandra is summoned to Venice by her old friend Nicola Gibbons, a bassoonist attending a symposium on Early Music in the fabled city of canals. Once Cassandra agrees to go to her friend in need, she collides with a cast of characters hungry for everything the city has to offer, including art, performance, romance and deception. In additon to the pleasures of its central mystery involving theft, disappearances and surprise death, the novel cruises briskly and amusingly through Wilson's interests in the splendors of Venice, the music of Vivaldi, Ventian orphanges of Vivaldi's time that trained abandoned girls to sing and play like angels, mouth-watering food, delirious clothing ensembles and couplings of every variety. Since Cassandra is as witty and informed a guide as anyone could hope for, the tour of Venice is a complete delight. And with intrigue abounding in this symposium's snakepit of competing artistes and music scholars, Cassandra's detective skills get a work-out that brings, in equal measure, satisfaction to devoted readers of mysteries and uncontainable glee to fans of Wilson's affecting tales of steadfast friendships. Reading this novel revitalized my spirits!

Rating:
Summary: Unlikable Characters - Disappointing Mystery
Review: I wanted to like this book - after all, it's set in my very favorite city, Venice. About the best thing I can say about it is that the descriptions of Venice are evocative, and the author does a good job of having the main character - Cassandra - act as tour guide. On the negative side, I was disappointed in both the characters and the mystery. The characters are unlikable and unsympathetic - including Cassandra. She also does some very stupid things; if she's developing a reputation for solving mysteries, it must be pure dumb luck. The ending - when everything is all tied up neatly - felt rushed. Ignore the beautiful book cover, and avoid The Case of the Orphaned Bassoonists. If you want to read GOOD mysteries set in Venice, look for Donna Leon's novels. Each one is better than the last, and the very first one, "Death at La Fenice," is 10 times better than this book.