Murder Ballad : A gripping mystery of desire, betrayal and secrets set in the musical world of 18th century Edinburgh

A story of betrayal, mystery, and the secrets some would die to protect. Isobel Duguid's tale takes us from Edinburgh's dazzling 18th century opera scene to the Old Tolbooth gallows.

<p><b>'A beautiful sensory overload . . . I didn't want it to end.'</b> <i>- Kirstin Innes, bestselling author of </i>Scabby Queen<br><br><b><i>Three women. A deadly score to settle.</i></b><br><br><b>EDINBURGH, 1791. </b> Isobel Duguid and her friend, the famous castrato Clessidro, are stars of the Edinburgh Musical Society. Despite her cavalier attitude towards holding a tune, Clessidro's friendship and her own <b>shocking murder ballads</b> keep Isobel on stage and enjoying an opulent lifestyle in Auld Reekie.<br><br>Yet one night a note arrives from the mysterious Mrs Abercorn, regarding Isobel's most notorious song, <i>The Fiddler's Wrath</i>. <b>It's the tale of a prima donna who died of heartbreak after her husband committed murder and <br>was sent to the gallows.</b> Isobel is intrigued.<br><br>But Mrs Abercorn's curiosity is far more than a fickle interest and <b>the truth is more complicated than anyone could have imagined</b>. As Isobel recounts rising through the social classes, her role in this ill-fated tune is brought to light, awakening the chilling retribution of a <b>once buried secret</b>.<br><br><b>A story of betrayal, mystery, and the secrets some would die to protect. Perfect for fans of </b><b>Patrick Süskind </b><i><b>Perfume and </b></i><b>Kate Foster's <i>The Maiden.</i></b><br><br><br>'This <b>glorious romp through the filth, greed and duplicity of 18th century Edinburgh</b> is a feminist delight. Highly recommended.' <i>- Mary Paulson-Ellis</i><br><br>'A <b>wildly original</b> and alarmingly readable historical novel whose <b>dark, blood-soaked narrative</b> takes us by surprise at every turn.' <i>- Andrew Taylor</i><br><br>'Tales of opera singers and murderers, of cobbled streets and Old Town tenements, of audacious women and what can befall them. <b>The writing is sublime, I loved every word.</b>' <i>- Elissa Soave</i></p>