The Music Box Murders

Thomas Purdue #1

by Larry Karp, Laurence E. Karp

When Thomas Pardue, a music box collector, finds out that a rare box he purchased had been stolen from a murdered friend, he tries to solve the mystery himself, and encounters more murders in the process

Genres: Mystery

Hardcover

First published March 1, 1999

About the author

Larry Karp practiced perinatal medicine and wrote general nonfiction before turning his back on medical work to write mystery novels full-time. The backgrounds and settings of Larry's mysteries reflect many of his interests, including musical antiques, medical-ethical issues, and ragtime music. His current book, The King of Ragtime, the second work in a ragtime mystery trilogy, centers on a real-life dispute between Scott Joplin and Irving Berlin over the alleged theft of a piece of music."

Reviews

[Robert · Rating 4 out of 5]

I don't care what you collect, this mystery about a music box collector, will be loved by anyone who has a passion for good mysteries and who understand the psychology of the dedicated collector. A lot of fun.

[Dianne Landry · Rating 1 out of 5]

I collect music boxes, granted not the expensive ones like these people but still, I should have enjoyed this book. As it is, after 65 pages I just couldn't do it anymore. It felt like it wanted to take place in the days of gaslight and horse carriages yet it was set in modern day NYC. The main character is still married but he and his wife don't love together and, quite frankly, she is so annoying I would not only have divorced her, I would never speak to her again.

Couldn't do it. I wish I could but it goes back to the library tomorrow.

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an interesting look at some New York Music Box collectors. Apparently, they will do almost anything to get a piece for their collection - even a murder or three.

While some of the members are able to repair and collect, others rely on being rich and buying everything they can find. They do specialize, so the focus is on various people when items are lost, found, and stolen.

Overall it was an interesting plot and maybe a bit unbelievable, because I just don't run in that society.

I bought a copy and had the author sign it, back when we had a mystery book store in town.

[Roberta · Rating 4 out of 5]

I picked this book up at a library sale and the copy that I got has a plastic spiral binding so I think it might be an ARC. Library sales are kind of a crap shoot when decisions have to be made instantly -- it is hard to stand at a table and read a few pages with people pushing from both sides. So I picked it up based on nothing but the title.

I like mysteries that give the reader some inside information. In this book the inside information is about collecting music boxes and the author seems to really know his stuff. I was reminded of Jonathan Gash's early Lovejoy books. (As more of these topical series are published I have been disappointed by books that offer inside information but don't deliver. Some authors apparently think they know enough on a topic if they've read an article in Wikipedia.) But this book has a lot going for it besides interesting tidbits about music boxes. There is also a strong main character and excellent supporting characters. The story is fast-paced, too.

I was very glad that I also picked up Scamming the Birdman at the same library sale and I intend to buy the third book in the series, The Midnight Special.

[LJ · Rating 3 out of 5]

THE MUSIC BOX MURDERS (Amateur Sleuth/Doctor-New York/London-Cont) – G+
Karp, Larry – 1st mystery
A Write Way Publishing Book, 1999– Unedited ARC
Neurologist Dr. Thomas Purdue is an avid collector of antique music boxes. His two-week vacation begins with the news that a fellow collector has been murdered, and receiving a call about a rare music box being available. It becomes immediately apparent the two events are linked and is followed by other deaths, including one of his friends now being accused of murder and suicide. Purdue decides to clear his friend's name and fine the missing music box.
*** Anyone who is a true collector will identify with Purdue. There were a few rough edges to the book but, being his first mystery, I could forgive those. However, with a great main character, interesting supporting characters, a fast-paced plot, very good dialogue and fascinating information about the world of music boxes and collectors, Karp has written a delightful mystery.

[Patty · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dr. Thomas Purdue collects antique music boxes. His circle of friends are all involved in the same field, either collecting, repairing or selling music boxes of all kinds, sizes and designs. When the most wealthy of his friends is killed and his newest box is missing, Thomas is on the hunt for the murderer and the "why" is very convoluted.

This is an engrossing mystery with lots of twists and turns and with a cast of characters that are fun, interesting, dangerous and mind boggling.

There is a lot of antique music box lore that is fascinating and a few too many murders but the story here is fascinating.

I'll be reading more in this series.

[Sarahandus · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a good mystery and a great look at music boxes. I really like Larry Karp's mysteries as they always seem to get the reader into the mind of protagonist.

This one got me delving into antique music boxes, discovering the vast difference between the common music box and the "real" music box.

[K. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Larry Karp's 3 books in his Music Box Murders series are all excellent. I wish that Larry would write another in the series, but he tells me that his publishers won't let him. I love the characters in the books. Dr. Karp collects and restores music boxes himself, so I think that his character, Dr. Thomas Purdue is based somewhat on himself.

[John Carter · Rating 3 out of 5]

Intricate plot, good writing. I did guess the villain a good deal before the end but it wasn't much more than a guess--and there was still a big surprise for me at the denouement. My principal problem was some inconsistencies in the character of the protagonist