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Overture to Murder: A Julia Kogan Opera Mystery
The curtain comes down on murder in OVERTURE TO MURDER, the third novel of the Julia Kogan Opera Mystery series. Julia heads to the San Francisco Opera, this time with her significant other, former NYPD detective Larry Somers, and their five-year-old daughter Rebecca. Julia is under inordinate amounts of pressure as she replaces the ailing concertmaster, Ben, who has suffered serious injuries in a suspicious hit-and-run accident, which Julia suspects might not have been accidental. Then, one prominent company member becomes the victim of a grisly murder, and Julia cannot resist becoming involved in the investigation. As in her previous sleuthing at the Metropolitan Opera and Santa Fe Opera, Julia once again discovers that fiery artistic temperaments and danger lurking in the dark hallways and back stairways of an opera house provide a chilling backdrop for murder.
This time, however, it’s not only her own life that is in peril.
This time, however, it’s not only her own life that is in peril.
337 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 22, 2024
4 people are currently reading
8 people want to read
About the author
Erica Miner
9 books20 followersFormerly a violinist with the New York Metropolitan Opera, Erica is now an award-winning author, journalist, lecturer and screenwriter. Erica's debut novel, Travels With My Lovers, won the Fiction Prize in the Direct from the Author Book Awards. Her screenplays have won awards in recognized competitions. Aria for Murder, the first in her Opera Mystery series published by Level Best Books, was a Finalist in the 2023 Eric Hoffer Book Awards. The sequel, Prelude to Murder, releases in September 2023, and the third book in the series is due for publication in 2024.
Erica is a regular contributor of articles and interviews to such arts websites USBachtrack, BroadwayWorld, and LAOpus.com.
An experienced speaker, seminarist and workshop giver, Erica was a top-rated lecturer for Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines. She has since presented regularly for the Seattle Symphony pre-concert talks, Osher Lifelong Living Institute at University of California San Diego and University of Washington, Wagner Societies on both coasts and in Australia, and numerous other venues.
Erica is a regular contributor of articles and interviews to such arts websites USBachtrack, BroadwayWorld, and LAOpus.com.
An experienced speaker, seminarist and workshop giver, Erica was a top-rated lecturer for Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines. She has since presented regularly for the Seattle Symphony pre-concert talks, Osher Lifelong Living Institute at University of California San Diego and University of Washington, Wagner Societies on both coasts and in Australia, and numerous other venues.
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
November 5, 2024
Setting the tone from the start, a quote from Norman Lebrecht: There are few events more stunning than a death at the opera.
In the third book of this engaging mystery series, Julia Kogan is headed to perform at the San Francisco Opera House. She faces unexpected new challenges in this City by the Bay, when she’s suddenly expected to replace the ailing concertmaster. Ben is struggling to recover from a hit and run accident resulting in serious injuries. Some people hesitate to call it an accident. In retrospect, Ben’s misfortune may have been an Overture to Murder, because tragedy strikes again and this time it’s fatal.
Julia Kogan is a woman of many skills and talents. Readers who follow the series have previously enjoyed suspenseful travels with Julia to the Metropolitan Opera, and to the Santa Fe Opera. Julia has been put to the test before to solve those murder mysteries. Julia is certain that once again she can discover the clues that will lead to solving this murder and catching a killer. The San Francisco challenge will be an uphill battle, but Julia is determined to investigate. She will put her own life at risk. She never guessed those she loves will be threatened.
This award winning author creates the most compelling and intriguing characters, with such depth and personality. The characters connected with the opera are fascinating, as author Erica Miner shows their reactions and actions both on stage and off. Motives, intentions, and clues are skillfully woven through the plot and keep the reader guessing from cover to cover. In this series’ third book, Julia is traveling with her husband and adorable five year old daughter. We’re treated to dear glimpses into their family life, and you’ll be on the edge of your seat as danger grows.
The Ring is the opera on stage at the San Francisco Opera House, and it is front and center within the action of the mystery. The setting is integral to the murder, and the author excels in bringing vividly to life the backstage as well as the main stage. The reader travels throughout this elegant opera house, and eagerly discovers so much about producing and staging an opera. It’s fascinating. All that is observed and learned spurs the imagination and is helpful for a reader’s investigation. The action and suspense in this great mystery keep these agile characters on their toes.
Listen carefully now to your imagination. The strings are just warming up, enticing you to settle back and enjoy an Overture To Murder.
In the third book of this engaging mystery series, Julia Kogan is headed to perform at the San Francisco Opera House. She faces unexpected new challenges in this City by the Bay, when she’s suddenly expected to replace the ailing concertmaster. Ben is struggling to recover from a hit and run accident resulting in serious injuries. Some people hesitate to call it an accident. In retrospect, Ben’s misfortune may have been an Overture to Murder, because tragedy strikes again and this time it’s fatal.
Julia Kogan is a woman of many skills and talents. Readers who follow the series have previously enjoyed suspenseful travels with Julia to the Metropolitan Opera, and to the Santa Fe Opera. Julia has been put to the test before to solve those murder mysteries. Julia is certain that once again she can discover the clues that will lead to solving this murder and catching a killer. The San Francisco challenge will be an uphill battle, but Julia is determined to investigate. She will put her own life at risk. She never guessed those she loves will be threatened.
This award winning author creates the most compelling and intriguing characters, with such depth and personality. The characters connected with the opera are fascinating, as author Erica Miner shows their reactions and actions both on stage and off. Motives, intentions, and clues are skillfully woven through the plot and keep the reader guessing from cover to cover. In this series’ third book, Julia is traveling with her husband and adorable five year old daughter. We’re treated to dear glimpses into their family life, and you’ll be on the edge of your seat as danger grows.
The Ring is the opera on stage at the San Francisco Opera House, and it is front and center within the action of the mystery. The setting is integral to the murder, and the author excels in bringing vividly to life the backstage as well as the main stage. The reader travels throughout this elegant opera house, and eagerly discovers so much about producing and staging an opera. It’s fascinating. All that is observed and learned spurs the imagination and is helpful for a reader’s investigation. The action and suspense in this great mystery keep these agile characters on their toes.
Listen carefully now to your imagination. The strings are just warming up, enticing you to settle back and enjoy an Overture To Murder.
February 6, 2025
The labyrinth backstage at the San Francisco Opera House hides more than just sets and costumes, including secrets and hatred in Erica Miner’s Overture to Murder from her Julia Kogan Opera Mystery series. Julia’s stint as the guest concertmaster for Wagner’s notoriously difficult Ring Cycle starts with public humiliation followed shortly by murder. Mayhem circles her every move, including her attempts to teach her stubborn and brilliant daughter how to play the violin - must-read scenes for any mom! This novel is perfect for mystery and music lovers alike!
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews