Rating: 
Summary: Probably Gur's best Inspector Ohayon detective book
Review: As usual with Batya Gur's inspector Ohayon's books, the murder mystery and its solution are connected to a specific world - this time professional classical musicians, and the argument between "authentic" and "modern" playing practices. Highly entertaining and intelligent, full of empathy to the characters and their occupation, and for sure - Ms. Gur is in love with her hero. Beautiful and highly recommended.
Rating:
Summary: Second Only to P.D. James---
Review: Batya Gur never disappoints. Second only to P.D. James she combines the mystery genre with high literature. I've read all her books and Murder Duet is up there with the others. Do not agree that she is not up to par here; she is great, engaging, giving readers a full portrait of her characters as great novelists do while keeping us turning pages to see how the story ends. Excellent. Highly recommended. 5 stars.
Rating: 
Summary: Excellent addition to intriguing Israeli mystery series
Review: I enjoyed this new book by the Israeli novelist Batya Gur just as much as her previous Michael Ohayon mysteries - in order, "The Saturday Morning Murder", "Literary Murder", and "Murder on a Kibbutz" (and they are best read in the order in which they were written to get the full flavor of the development of her detective's character). These books feature a truly interesting detective - Michael Ohayon, medievalist turned policeman - inside a series of well-drawn and fascinating situations set in Israel - a firm of psychiatrists, a university department of literature professors, a kibbutz, and now a symphony orchestra. In each of these books Ms. Gur brings to life the passions and debates which divide members of these groups and which lead to killing consequences which await the arrival of her detective to unravel the identity of the murderer. I cannot decide any more if her books are character studies wrapped in mysteries or mysteries wrapped in character studies, not do I much care. What I do know is that I get the same pleasure from these mysteries that I have received from the novels of John Le Carre and the "entertainments" of Graham Greene, where those writers seamlessly combined espionage with a drama based on character and not just action. I am as interested in the development of Michael Ohayon's personal life as I am in his resolution of the murders he is tasked to solve. I eagerly await the next volume in this series.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent addition to intriguing Israeli mystery series
Review: I enjoyed this new book by the Israeli novelist Batya Gur just as much as her previous Michael Ohayon mysteries - in order, "The Saturday Morning Murder", "Literary Murder", and "Murder on a Kibbutz" (and they are best read in the order in which they were written to get the full flavor of the development of her detective's character). These books feature a truly interesting detective - Michael Ohayon, medievalist turned policeman - inside a series of well-drawn and fascinating situations set in Israel - a firm of psychiatrists, a university department of literature professors, a kibbutz, and now a symphony orchestra. In each of these books Ms. Gur brings to life the passions and debates which divide members of these groups and which lead to killing consequences which await the arrival of her detective to unravel the identity of the murderer. I cannot decide any more if her books are character studies wrapped in mysteries or mysteries wrapped in character studies, not do I much care. What I do know is that I get the same pleasure from these mysteries that I have received from the novels of John Le Carre and the "entertainments" of Graham Greene, where those writers seamlessly combined espionage with a drama based on character and not just action. I am as interested in the development of Michael Ohayon's personal life as I am in his resolution of the murders he is tasked to solve. I eagerly await the next volume in this series.
Rating: 
Summary: An Israeli "Inspector Morse"
Review: I have enjoyed Gur's previous efforts as they are so "atmospheric." If one knows Israel and Israeli society - and not as a tourist - there is much being said between the lines that translation cannot capture.Unlike the earlier books, I found this one lacked bite. And Ohayon is turning into an Israeli version of "Inspector Morse," i.e., a frustrated academic-turned-cop, a loner, lover of classical music (although not a sophisticated as Morse), unlucky in love - But, thankfully, not an alcoholic. But since Morse died recently, perhaps Ms. Gur will pick up the slack. (And tightening her writing is a good place to start.)
Rating:
Summary: PLEASE..read her other work first!
Review: It is as though Batya Gur were trying to finish this book. It was a book in need of editing, but that would have left only a third of the pages. Too much angst, as others have pointed out here in the reviews. Very nasty murders, these, and not nearly as sparkling and atmospheric a solution. Very little Israeli backgound here, an aspect of Batya Gur's previous Ohayon novels that has been wonderful, and lackluster plot development. A midlife crisis of a book. PLEASE read this talented woman's previous Ohayon novels.
Rating:
Summary: Gur combines harmony, melody in this thriller!
Review: Quietly becoming a name in crime fiction is Chief Superintendent Michael Ohayon of the Jerusalem police. In "Murder Duet," author Batya Gur gives us another episode--and treat--of this so-called "soft-boiled" detective. During one of his evenings listening to a favorite Brahms (The First Symphony), he hears a cry and, opening the door, finds the proverbial babe in a handbasket abandoned at his door! There the story really begins. He looks to neighbor Nita van Gelden for help with the child, as she herself is a single mother AND a cellist (to keep the harmony of the book) of international accomplishment, along with other members of her family. But discord soon arrives, as a member of her family is murdered (and not because of his inferior musical ability!). This gets Ohayon on the case, prontissimo! This is the fourth Gur novel featuring Ohayon (beginning with "Murder on a Kibbutz") and set in Israel. In addition to quite a few musical lessons, Gur treats us to some of the Israeli local color (although not near enough!). The cerebral Ohayon is on key, of course, and is in charge of each movement, as it were. Well-paced, the book continues to give us credible insight into Ohayon, as well as providing a good police procedural work--well worth the effort. (Billyjhobbs@tyler.net)
Rating:
Summary: wonderful book for music lovers and suspense fans
Review: This book was given to me by a friend with whom I share an ongoing discussion about classical music. We also both love suspense. This book is extremely interesting and satisfying in both regards. The story grabs you immediately, in part because of the sympathetic protagonist Michael Ohayon of the Jerusalem police, who is trying to listen to Brahm's first symphony. Gur's description of his emotions as he listens to the music is so fascinating, I had to revisit this piece of music immediately after I finally achieved to put the book down. The story continues its unusual path and we get introduced to a bunch of very interesting off-the wall characters. Although I was able to figure out who did it, the conclusion was most intriguing because the motive remains a mystery to the very end
Rating:
Summary: Strange Book--2/3's great, last 1/3 so flawed
Review: What I said above. The book was fine, suspenseful, delicious and going great until the last third. There, Ms. Gur lost her sense of timing and her sense of the character's psychology. Instead of giving her detective a finale (don't want to ruin the plot), she got off track. I love classical music but it's as if she rushed and in her rushing there was loss of plot and TOO MUCH MUSICOLOGY. I'd give this 3 stars except that I adored her other mysteries. Another criticism others have noted is that Israel is missing. She names towns but doesn't give the flavor of that place, what we who read her, are used to. Giving the views and the details that make Israel different from other places is here just generic--names of streets and towns and hotels. Ms. Gur, if you are reading this little review, what happened? But thanks for a great reading week-end.
Rating:
Summary: A very human Chief Inspector
Review: With each of her books, this is the fourth I have read, Gur gets better. Her character development is psychologically nuanced. She presents completely different professions (academic psychotherapists, conservative kibbutz members, academic literature professors, here profesional musicians) in many dimensions. She does not always reflect admiration or approval for their warts, in fact, she is perceptive and highly critical. Her main character is beset by self-doubt and is troubled by his failings as a parent and lover. I can't wait until her next book is translated into English.
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