What do you think?
Rate this book
Devil's Sonata
EVIL NEVER DIES
It begins with a book.
It ends in fire.
Beauregard Abbey is an elite boarding school in the wilds of North Yorkshire - a school built in the ruins of a monastery renowned for corruption and the study of dark magic until its destruction by Henry VIII five centuries ago. When a grimoire, a book of evil spells, is unearthed in the abbey church, the school turns to an expert - Zuleika Rathbone, neuroscientist and historian, scholar of witchcraft, ghosts and other such creations and delusions of the mind.
Or so she thinks. On the day of her arrival at Beauregard, she unearths an eighteenth-century violin, walled away for three hundred years, and the thin veneer hiding Beauregard’s cursed, necromantic past begins to crumble. As a brilliant young violinist, picked to play the instrument, becomes cruel and malevolent, and the school’s production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream turns darker and darker, Zuleika finds herself - and the school - in the grip of an ancient evil . . .
It begins with a book.
It ends in fire.
Beauregard Abbey is an elite boarding school in the wilds of North Yorkshire - a school built in the ruins of a monastery renowned for corruption and the study of dark magic until its destruction by Henry VIII five centuries ago. When a grimoire, a book of evil spells, is unearthed in the abbey church, the school turns to an expert - Zuleika Rathbone, neuroscientist and historian, scholar of witchcraft, ghosts and other such creations and delusions of the mind.
Or so she thinks. On the day of her arrival at Beauregard, she unearths an eighteenth-century violin, walled away for three hundred years, and the thin veneer hiding Beauregard’s cursed, necromantic past begins to crumble. As a brilliant young violinist, picked to play the instrument, becomes cruel and malevolent, and the school’s production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream turns darker and darker, Zuleika finds herself - and the school - in the grip of an ancient evil . . .
450 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2011
45 people are currently reading
116 people want to read
About the author
Elizabeth Edmondson
40 books351 followersBorn in Chile, and educated in Calcutta and London before going to Oxford University, Elizabeth Edmondson divided her time between the countryside north of Rome and the spires of Oxford. She was married to an art historian and had two children.
In Edmondson's words: "I write historical mysteries about love, marriage families and friendship, where the loyalties, feuds, secrets and betrayals of the past cast long shadows. I’m fascinated by characters who are quirky, mysterious, funny, unexpected and interesting and I want readers to share, as I do, in their joys and sorrows.
"My books are set in the Thirties, Forties and Fifties, at home and abroad. With dramatic and glamorous settings from icy lakes to Italian villas, from wintry Budapest to fashionable France, the landscapes are as powerful as the stories are complex. The tense realities of life mingle with supernatural elements : ghosts, prophetic dreams and voices from the past, but fun and humour also dance in and out of the light and darkness of the stories.
"My aim is to enthrall, delight and amuse readers as they are transported to a different era."
In Edmondson's words: "I write historical mysteries about love, marriage families and friendship, where the loyalties, feuds, secrets and betrayals of the past cast long shadows. I’m fascinated by characters who are quirky, mysterious, funny, unexpected and interesting and I want readers to share, as I do, in their joys and sorrows.
"My books are set in the Thirties, Forties and Fifties, at home and abroad. With dramatic and glamorous settings from icy lakes to Italian villas, from wintry Budapest to fashionable France, the landscapes are as powerful as the stories are complex. The tense realities of life mingle with supernatural elements : ghosts, prophetic dreams and voices from the past, but fun and humour also dance in and out of the light and darkness of the stories.
"My aim is to enthrall, delight and amuse readers as they are transported to a different era."
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
June 13, 2017
I had heard the term 'gothic' used to describe books; especially books read in P&P variations but until I read this book I really didn't understand the term.
Set at Beauregard Abbey, a former monastery seized by Henry VIII's minion Thomas Cromwell and owned by the Beauregard Family, is now a school. Zuleika (can anyone figure out how to pronounce it?) Rathbone is a scientist who is investigating a grimoire found in a column at the Abbey. Her short visit is converted to a year long stay. During a brief visit to a mysterious addition, the Venetian Wing, she inadvertently reveals a hidden room with a horrific violin. And a mysterious hidden ceiling fresco.
When the school session resumes we are introduced to Sylvia Trevillian, a famous actress suffering from Bell's palsy who has taken a job as a drama teacher to make ends meet. Festy Beauregard, a new student who the head, Mr. Fitzhoward, seems to have prejudged her to be a problem student.
As the term progresses the mysterious violin is awarded to a student who seems transformed by the instrument. And there are strange things afoot at the Abbey. Zuleika is a scientist first and a non believer in the paranormal; but as her research goes on she discovers that the Beauregards were definitely odd and dabblers in black Magic. Is there something evil afoot or is it just all coincidence?
Set at Beauregard Abbey, a former monastery seized by Henry VIII's minion Thomas Cromwell and owned by the Beauregard Family, is now a school. Zuleika (can anyone figure out how to pronounce it?) Rathbone is a scientist who is investigating a grimoire found in a column at the Abbey. Her short visit is converted to a year long stay. During a brief visit to a mysterious addition, the Venetian Wing, she inadvertently reveals a hidden room with a horrific violin. And a mysterious hidden ceiling fresco.
When the school session resumes we are introduced to Sylvia Trevillian, a famous actress suffering from Bell's palsy who has taken a job as a drama teacher to make ends meet. Festy Beauregard, a new student who the head, Mr. Fitzhoward, seems to have prejudged her to be a problem student.
As the term progresses the mysterious violin is awarded to a student who seems transformed by the instrument. And there are strange things afoot at the Abbey. Zuleika is a scientist first and a non believer in the paranormal; but as her research goes on she discovers that the Beauregards were definitely odd and dabblers in black Magic. Is there something evil afoot or is it just all coincidence?
September 6, 2018
De no poder parar de leer, como todos los de la autora.
May 13, 2021
I've loved this author for many years, particularly the 'Mountjoy' series, but this one had eluded me - until now.
'Devil's Sonata' is a very good read. The author's interest in the supernatural, present in most of the Mountjoy books, is much more prevalent here. The haunting - or possession - of a person by someone or something long dead, and its accompanying evil, have long been used in great books such as 'Trilby' by George Du Maurier and 'The Turn of the Screw' by Henry James. It's not new and when handled sensitively - as it has been in Devil's Sonata - it makes for chilling and exciting reading.
The background to the story is a private boarding school, and the author builds suspense with a number of likeable, if oddly named (as is often the case with Elizabeth Edmondson) characters. My only reservation is that at times the story jumps around and feels disjointed. This was not helped by a an error giving the wrong name of a character at a crucial moment, in the Kindle version. I sometimes found myself having to go back and check which character was taking the main point of view in particular sections - either my attention had wandered, or it wasn't being held.
Four-and-a-half stars. Would I read it again? Yes, because it's easy and enjoyable reading.
'Devil's Sonata' is a very good read. The author's interest in the supernatural, present in most of the Mountjoy books, is much more prevalent here. The haunting - or possession - of a person by someone or something long dead, and its accompanying evil, have long been used in great books such as 'Trilby' by George Du Maurier and 'The Turn of the Screw' by Henry James. It's not new and when handled sensitively - as it has been in Devil's Sonata - it makes for chilling and exciting reading.
The background to the story is a private boarding school, and the author builds suspense with a number of likeable, if oddly named (as is often the case with Elizabeth Edmondson) characters. My only reservation is that at times the story jumps around and feels disjointed. This was not helped by a an error giving the wrong name of a character at a crucial moment, in the Kindle version. I sometimes found myself having to go back and check which character was taking the main point of view in particular sections - either my attention had wandered, or it wasn't being held.
Four-and-a-half stars. Would I read it again? Yes, because it's easy and enjoyable reading.
January 7, 2013
(Will probably contain spoilers!)
Hm, what do I think?
I think it was a quick and easy read, which was actually what I was looking for. Still I am disappointed. Why?
Let's start with the characters. The first thing that really aggravated me was the choice of names. I mean ... Zuleika, Verity, Petrus, Wyndham, Sylvestra ... really? Since this book is (in my eyes) not build up as fantasy etc., I somehow cannot forgive this accumulation of curious, odd and sometimes even ridiculous names. Now this might be superficial, but it really got me going.
Then there's the climax, if you can call it that. The book seems to be following many different plot possibilities but doesn't stick with either of them. And suddenly we're all zombies? Uhm, right.
I think I never sufficiently learned anything about the Beauregard family, all characters from present and past remained one-sided and flat. I mean, who is Nicholas Beauregard? What are his intentions, why is he the way he is? What was wrong with the headmaster etc etc.
The love story between Zuleika and Wyndham also really wasn't one, the teenagers did not seem authentic to me AT ALL. I mean, how do they all seem so knowledgable about supernatural phenomenons and at the same time, no one questions anything. Doppelgängers? Sure! Poltergeists, ghosts, the devil himself? Of course, happens all day, every day.
We don't really learn anything about the monastary and if the accusation against the monks were true in any way.
Why do we learn that Zuleika and Sylvia are descendants of people involved in the closing of the monastary, how does this do anything for the story? Also the descriptions of the Gotha paintings is so weak, I don't feel any dread when reading them, actually I can't even imagine them at all.
God, the more I write, the more disappointed I am.
I can't even say that it was suspenseful or not-put-down-able. The many (and I mean MANY) breaks in the story, changes of POV etc did not do the book any good.
I should probably stop now, before I change my rating from 2 to 1 star. Actually, I think it's 1,5.
Hm, what do I think?
I think it was a quick and easy read, which was actually what I was looking for. Still I am disappointed. Why?
Let's start with the characters. The first thing that really aggravated me was the choice of names. I mean ... Zuleika, Verity, Petrus, Wyndham, Sylvestra ... really? Since this book is (in my eyes) not build up as fantasy etc., I somehow cannot forgive this accumulation of curious, odd and sometimes even ridiculous names. Now this might be superficial, but it really got me going.
Then there's the climax, if you can call it that. The book seems to be following many different plot possibilities but doesn't stick with either of them. And suddenly we're all zombies? Uhm, right.
I think I never sufficiently learned anything about the Beauregard family, all characters from present and past remained one-sided and flat. I mean, who is Nicholas Beauregard? What are his intentions, why is he the way he is? What was wrong with the headmaster etc etc.
The love story between Zuleika and Wyndham also really wasn't one, the teenagers did not seem authentic to me AT ALL. I mean, how do they all seem so knowledgable about supernatural phenomenons and at the same time, no one questions anything. Doppelgängers? Sure! Poltergeists, ghosts, the devil himself? Of course, happens all day, every day.
We don't really learn anything about the monastary and if the accusation against the monks were true in any way.
Why do we learn that Zuleika and Sylvia are descendants of people involved in the closing of the monastary, how does this do anything for the story? Also the descriptions of the Gotha paintings is so weak, I don't feel any dread when reading them, actually I can't even imagine them at all.
God, the more I write, the more disappointed I am.
I can't even say that it was suspenseful or not-put-down-able. The many (and I mean MANY) breaks in the story, changes of POV etc did not do the book any good.
I should probably stop now, before I change my rating from 2 to 1 star. Actually, I think it's 1,5.
July 26, 2016
While reading "Devil's Sonata" I was very grateful for Wikipedia. Living in the US all of my life, references to sixth-form students are Greek to me. I found that in a few other instances of slang, some of which the dictionary in my Kindle did help with. This was the only thing that gave me any difficulty with the book. Otherwise, I did enjoy"Devil's Sonata".
At times I forgot the fact the Zuleika Rathbone was the main character. There are so many interesting characters that none really receives enough focus and development. I didn't find anyone that I was really rooting for and no one that I picked out as my "bad guy". The one character that should have been both a victim and an antagonist is kept on the edge of the story. I can't really remember any first person interaction with Arabella, just what is reported in the third person by another character. Arabella gets one paragraph in first person on the last page. It almost seemed like there was to be a great revealing of secrets and coincidences, but it just never came to fruition. I don't think I would recommend this book to a friend unless they wanted to know more about education in the UK and how to direct a production of a "Midsummer's Night Dream".
I received a complementary copy of the book for review.
At times I forgot the fact the Zuleika Rathbone was the main character. There are so many interesting characters that none really receives enough focus and development. I didn't find anyone that I was really rooting for and no one that I picked out as my "bad guy". The one character that should have been both a victim and an antagonist is kept on the edge of the story. I can't really remember any first person interaction with Arabella, just what is reported in the third person by another character. Arabella gets one paragraph in first person on the last page. It almost seemed like there was to be a great revealing of secrets and coincidences, but it just never came to fruition. I don't think I would recommend this book to a friend unless they wanted to know more about education in the UK and how to direct a production of a "Midsummer's Night Dream".
I received a complementary copy of the book for review.
August 8, 2011
I was expecting a typical teen horror story, but was pleasantly surprised. The book is set in a British boarding school, so many of the characters are teens. But many others are adults, including the main character Zuleika. Most of the characters were well-developed and enjoyable to get to know. The setting, an old Abbey converted to a manor house and then a school, was almost a character in itself. The architectural descriptions made me wish for illustrations.
Ms. Edmondson's plot starts off quickly with the discovery of an old book of spells, then a Venetian violin. The horror builds slowly as we progress through the school year and through the staging of "A Midsummer's Night Dream". And then suddenly, it's over. I was expecting much more of a grand finale. In fact, the ending is my only complaint about the book. Dare I hope there will be further adventures for Zuleika and company? I was definitely left wanting more.
I received a complimentary copy of this book in order to review it.
Ms. Edmondson's plot starts off quickly with the discovery of an old book of spells, then a Venetian violin. The horror builds slowly as we progress through the school year and through the staging of "A Midsummer's Night Dream". And then suddenly, it's over. I was expecting much more of a grand finale. In fact, the ending is my only complaint about the book. Dare I hope there will be further adventures for Zuleika and company? I was definitely left wanting more.
I received a complimentary copy of this book in order to review it.
March 18, 2017
What a great Gothic novel
As a fan of both Gothic novels and school stories, I fell for this book. The action takes place over the course of a year, giving Edmondson plenty of time to develop her characters. The story is engrossing with bits of information teasing you along. The characters are realistic and the feeling of evil is palatable, without ever descending into camp. A great read!
As a fan of both Gothic novels and school stories, I fell for this book. The action takes place over the course of a year, giving Edmondson plenty of time to develop her characters. The story is engrossing with bits of information teasing you along. The characters are realistic and the feeling of evil is palatable, without ever descending into camp. A great read!
November 24, 2014
Another good read that was difficult to put down. An exciting and fast mov g plot.
January 19, 2016
Compelling
The story pulled you in and layer by layer entranced you, it would make a scintillating script for a movie
The story pulled you in and layer by layer entranced you, it would make a scintillating script for a movie
August 14, 2017
I am a fan of Elizabeth Edmondson - I really enjoy reading her books. However, this one seemed different and not so well written - the plot didn't quite hold, the supernatural theme wasn't convincing, there were numerous mistakes in the text. Lots of characters - so many that I got a little lost sometimes. I still did finish it, but I don't think I would recommend it to anyone.
January 11, 2018
Atmospheric
Very well written. The story sucks you in and it feels as if you are there. Enjoyed it very much.
Very well written. The story sucks you in and it feels as if you are there. Enjoyed it very much.
September 21, 2019
I gave the book 5 stars; it's one of those books I couldn't put away. I loved the setting of the book. Even though Zuleika is the main character, the author also puts the spotlight on many other characters in the book. I have to admit I had trouble remembering the many characters described in the book at first; it took me a while to remember all of the names mentioned in the book. If you're looking for a Gothic suspense book; this is a nice read. I've read most of Elizabeth Edmondson's books and this is one her books that stands out to me.
January 7, 2016
Not the author's usual, but wonderful all the same
This subject matter is not my cup of tea, but I enjoy this author so much, I thought I would give it a go.
I couldn't put it down, which surprised me. It's not exactly a mystery, but the characters are involved in tracing a family's genealogy, which can be very fascinating, in and of itself.
As a Christian, I firmly believe in evil. I think anyone who has ever had the privilege of speaking to a Holocaust survivor, would absolutely understand that pure evil walked this earth in the form of the Nazis.
Jesus told us that Satan roamed the earth like a hungry lion looking for those willing to sell their souls. Any one who doesn't believe that will most certainly be caught in his snare.
I felt that it was very important to expand on the conversation between two characters at the noted chapter, etc. If you don't know it, most people won't look it up and it's very important to know:
*Chapter 21 Locations 2799, 2807
‘In the beginning was the word, and the word was with God, and the word was God.’
‘In the beginning was the word... What does that mean?’ ‘Haven’t a clue,’ said Rosie.
EXPLANATION:
The "WORD" is Jesus Christ. Jesus existed since the beginning of time. He was with God when God created the world and Jesus was ALREADY apart of God (therefore, Jesus was God). This can be found in it's entirety in the Bible, John 1:1-14.
While this is not important to the story, I felt it was important to explain it, since the author did use it, but didn't give the full explanation and many people really don't understand how simple the relationship is from God to His son, Jesus.
This subject matter is not my cup of tea, but I enjoy this author so much, I thought I would give it a go.
I couldn't put it down, which surprised me. It's not exactly a mystery, but the characters are involved in tracing a family's genealogy, which can be very fascinating, in and of itself.
As a Christian, I firmly believe in evil. I think anyone who has ever had the privilege of speaking to a Holocaust survivor, would absolutely understand that pure evil walked this earth in the form of the Nazis.
Jesus told us that Satan roamed the earth like a hungry lion looking for those willing to sell their souls. Any one who doesn't believe that will most certainly be caught in his snare.
I felt that it was very important to expand on the conversation between two characters at the noted chapter, etc. If you don't know it, most people won't look it up and it's very important to know:
*Chapter 21 Locations 2799, 2807
‘In the beginning was the word, and the word was with God, and the word was God.’
‘In the beginning was the word... What does that mean?’ ‘Haven’t a clue,’ said Rosie.
EXPLANATION:
The "WORD" is Jesus Christ. Jesus existed since the beginning of time. He was with God when God created the world and Jesus was ALREADY apart of God (therefore, Jesus was God). This can be found in it's entirety in the Bible, John 1:1-14.
While this is not important to the story, I felt it was important to explain it, since the author did use it, but didn't give the full explanation and many people really don't understand how simple the relationship is from God to His son, Jesus.
February 7, 2016
This is the fifth and final time I've taken the time to carefully write a review that Goodreads refuses to save. I'm done. No more reviews, you're all on your own.
This is a good read *yadda yadda*. Ms. E. breaking through to current day setting *yadda*.
Creepy, not horror *yadda yadda*
Easy page-turner. Go for it.
I hope you enjoyed my final review.
Okay, that's probably a lie, but... dang it! frustrating. This one was even only three paragraphs, succinct... everything I'm not so good at doing. *sigh* *grrr*. My new puppy even got a mention, now that's cold!
But seriously, about the book: Ms E. sloughs off the constraints of history and writes a current-day really spooky story. Yes, young people will like it (I did, and I'm kinda young going through my second childhood) She always makes character development seem easy. The main characters are adults, but the students aren't polite little dorks, nor are they evil... well, come to think of it... They don't start out ... nah, That might be a spoiler.
Oh yeah, one more thing, I remember heading my review with "Mephisto Waltz meets a Great Northern English Boarding School". Pretty cool, huh? I thought so at the time. *sigh*
Sorry about the re-writes and updates. The first review was only once.. it was perfect. And only THREE PARAGRAPHS!. This is the last one. If yous see typos, please self-correct.
This is a good read *yadda yadda*. Ms. E. breaking through to current day setting *yadda*.
Creepy, not horror *yadda yadda*
Easy page-turner. Go for it.
I hope you enjoyed my final review.
Okay, that's probably a lie, but... dang it! frustrating. This one was even only three paragraphs, succinct... everything I'm not so good at doing. *sigh* *grrr*. My new puppy even got a mention, now that's cold!
But seriously, about the book: Ms E. sloughs off the constraints of history and writes a current-day really spooky story. Yes, young people will like it (I did, and I'm kinda young going through my second childhood) She always makes character development seem easy. The main characters are adults, but the students aren't polite little dorks, nor are they evil... well, come to think of it... They don't start out ... nah, That might be a spoiler.
Oh yeah, one more thing, I remember heading my review with "Mephisto Waltz meets a Great Northern English Boarding School". Pretty cool, huh? I thought so at the time. *sigh*
Sorry about the re-writes and updates. The first review was only once.. it was perfect. And only THREE PARAGRAPHS!. This is the last one. If yous see typos, please self-correct.
January 15, 2016
A Devilishly GoodBook !
I really liked this book. It held my interest from beginning to end. In fact the only thing I DIDN'T like, is the fact I couldn't keep reading it. There is real excitement and atmosphere in the story. It did not disappoint on any level. Am looking forward to reading more from Ms. Edmondson soon.
I really liked this book. It held my interest from beginning to end. In fact the only thing I DIDN'T like, is the fact I couldn't keep reading it. There is real excitement and atmosphere in the story. It did not disappoint on any level. Am looking forward to reading more from Ms. Edmondson soon.
July 27, 2016
A safe delve into an evil subject
The thing I like about EE is the way she builds a story and the characters together. She doesn't spend a lot of time in fluffy character creations. She lets the story tell the reader who they are. This story had some dark elements without being over the top freighting. I thoroughly enjoyed this book as i have so many of her others.
The thing I like about EE is the way she builds a story and the characters together. She doesn't spend a lot of time in fluffy character creations. She lets the story tell the reader who they are. This story had some dark elements without being over the top freighting. I thoroughly enjoyed this book as i have so many of her others.
February 19, 2012
I wanted to give this a 3.5. I was really enjoying it and looking forward to the climactic scene which was promised by the steady build-up throughout, when all of a sudden the author loosely concluded events with an epilogue. I really resented that.
January 14, 2016
Absorbing read
A dark mystery that I couldn't put down. Evil from the past that ensnares the present. Well written, but typos were distracting.
A dark mystery that I couldn't put down. Evil from the past that ensnares the present. Well written, but typos were distracting.
May 22, 2016
Intriging
Excellent characterizations. Complex story line, entertaining. A little spooky but keeps interest. More involved plot than in author's other works I've read.
Excellent characterizations. Complex story line, entertaining. A little spooky but keeps interest. More involved plot than in author's other works I've read.
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews