Reviewed By Liz

ISBN 1590582322

Poisoned Pen Press – Hardcover
March 15 2008

THE IRON TONGUE OF MIDNIGHT is the fourth book in the Tito Amato series. The book is set in 1740 and features Venetian castrato Tito Amato. Tito has been offered the lead role in a new opera, but he must leave Venice for the countryside to begin rehearsals immediately at the villa of the composer’s patroness. Tito’s brother-in-law, Artist Gussie Rumbolt, has been given a commission to paint scenery for the production that features the villa’s grape harvest. Anxious to leave their shared house in Venice to their wives for a while, the two accept their unorthodox invitations.

When Tito and Gussie arrive at the villa, they find the cast already assembled and realize that the clash of temperaments of the singers, composer, the patroness, and her husband are going to make this a difficult endeavor. But when an unknown man turns up dead in the hallway outside the bedrooms of the performers and the constable is out of indefinitely, Tito realizes that he and Gussie are going to have to dig a little deeper to determine if any of the villa’s current occupants really do know their uninvited guest.

Although set in a different time and place, THE IRON TONGUE OF MIDNIGHT reads very much like a classic English country house party murder. But Myers throws in some historical information and also manages to capture the atmosphere of a stage performance in production – the rivalries, the uncertainty, and the incredible enthusiasm and comraderie that comes with being an entertainer. All this and good characters and plot make the book an excellent read.

Favorite character? Tito is very interesting, but I like Gussie and want to see more of him. Did I guess it? Parts. Will I read another? Absolutely. Fortunately, there are three more already written!

Check out Beverle’s web site at www.beverlegravesmyers.com.

Mystery Book Reviews by Liz at http://reviewedbyliz.com ©2008

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