The Fire Concerto

by Sarah Landenwich

A beautifully written, evocative literary page-turner about a brilliant female musician lost to history and another woman’s quest to ensure she is not forgotten—with a shocking twist of a finale.

Clara Bishop hasn’t touched a piano since a concert hall fire nearly took her life a decade ago, ending her career as a rising star in the world of classical music. Significantly scarred and unable to play, she has turned away from everything and everyone associated with music, especially her ruthless mentor Madame, whom Clara blames for her injuries.

​Her life is upended when Madame dies, leaving Clara an unexpected inheritance: an ornate nineteenth-century metronome with a cryptic message hidden inside. Convinced this is not a gift but a puzzle Madame wants her to solve, Clara comes to suspect that the unusual bequest is the long-lost metronome of the composer Aleksander Starza—a priceless object missing since 1885, when Starza was murdered by the brilliant female pianist Constantia Pleyel.

​As Clara works to uncover the metronome’s haunted past and protect it—and herself—from those who wish to obtain it, she discovers that nothing about Starza and his murder are what they seem. History has remembered Constantia Pleyel as an unstable artist who killed Starza in a fit of madness. The truth could rewrite the history of music—and give Clara the second chance she has been longing for.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Fiction, Mystery, Mystery Thriller, Music, Literary Fiction, Historical

352 pages, Hardcover

First published June 10, 2025

About the author

Sarah Landenwich is a writer and writing educator. Also a classically trained pianist,
her debut novel The Fire Concerto was inspired by her love of music of the Romantic period. She lives in Louisville, Kentucky, with her husband and daughter.

Reviews

[Nina (ninjasbooks) · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an absolutely delight this was. Reading about musicians is in itself always a pleasure. Their strong will and dedication is always an inspiration, but this was about so much more. Identity, history and searching for answers. The haunt for them was what this was all about, and I loved the journey the main character was on. Finding answers that shocked her and the reader as well. Brilliant work!

[Kasa Cotugno · Rating 4 out of 5]

There have been several excellent mysteries with classical musical backgrounds, usually involving violinists. Here we have a former concert pianist who receives a metronome as a legacy from her teacher. Years after she stopped performing due to injuries from a fire, Clara finds solace in her solitary life waiting bar, but the acquisition of the metronome reopens her passion for music because of its history and the implications behind it. Many issues are dealt with here, hard to believe this is a debut.

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book for so many reasons. I took me back to my childhood and adolescence, when I was a competitive classical pianist. I was not at the level of Clara, and certainly not related to any composers, but I can fully relate to the complex relationship she had with her teacher, as well as the difficulty in sitting back down after many years have passed. I don’t have an injury to blame for my absence. What kept me from playing is knowing how good I was and how hard it was to hear myself not play at that level. Overall great novel.

[Stacey · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was drawn to the characters and story immediately and the mystery kept me engaged through to the end.

[Kim McGee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Clara is a bartender in Austin which is a far cry from her early years as a musical prodigy pianist. A fire took that all away. Her old mentor dies leaving Clara a metronome with a mysterious past and once again she is pulled back to the world of the concert stage and ambition that she once escaped. As she tries to solve the metronome's origins she will also come to terms with her own family legacy. Historical fiction that shows the hidden history of female brilliance as well as a mystery that some don't want solved. This does for classical musicians what Dan Brown's books did for religious art treasures. Fans of Brendan Slocumb's classical music mysteries will enjoy. My thanks to the publisher for the advance copy.

[Catherine Mathis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Landenwich's training as a classical pianist bubbles up in her writing and pacing. Magical music circles through largo (slow) to allegro (fast), so too does The Fire Concerto. The story ebbs and flows as life does while building to a conclusion that surprises and satisfies while still leaving key questions unanswered and unanswerable. Most of us wish we had asked a relative more about their life, and when they are gone so too is a story you might have wished to know. It is a stunning debut.

[Nina DeCesare · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely stunning. As a professional musician, I have always been looking for a novel that feels truthful, well written, and full of the deep emotion of our field. I couldn’t put this one down and I loved every minute of it.

[Cami · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really enjoyed the historical subplot in this novel, featuring the fictional composers Pleyel and Starza. I was hoping that they were based on real people, so I could listen to their music, but alas, it makes sense that they're original characters. Kudos to Sarah Landenwich for writing about their music so compellingly that at times I thought, "This has to exist somewhere. Please let this exist somewhere!" If this book is ever adapted into a film, then I would be very intrigued to listen to the soundtrack.

The modern timeline didn't speak to me as much as the historical ones. The people in Clara's life felt relatively one-dimensional, and I struggled to feel invested in their interpersonal dynamics. The relationship between Clara and Tony felt especially lackluster, because of the line where Tony suggests that they be friends rather than romantic partners because of how he's betrayed her twice. This struck me as odd, since I wouldn't want to be friends with, let alone date, someone who had betrayed me twice. If it's bad enough to stifle a romance, isn't it also bad enough to stifle a friendship?

I was also thrown off by Clara's dog Bingo. At first, I was delighted that she had a Saint Bernard, but the way that Bingo was written quickly contributed to the feeling of unreality that made me prefer the dead characters' plotline to the living ones'. Bingo is described as an elderly Saint Bernard, yet he is often seen "trotting" around the house, a gait that seems too fast and fresh for a large, plodding dog. I worried that I was being too picky about a single word, but Clara later mentions going out for a long walk to clear her head and taking Bingo with her. The walk is at described as being at least ten miles long. I can't say with certainty that no elderly Saint Bernard would be able to manage this, but it definitely seems like a long shot. To me, it felt like Bingo was a generic dog who was specified to be a Saint Bernard without any care for the details that make Saint Bernards unique. There was no mention to slobber, not even once!

(For my favorite fictional depiction of Saint Bernards, check out Mackenzie Lee's book "The Lady's Guide to Petticoats and Piracy." I was so impressed by her writing that I wasn't surprised to learn that she has a Saint Bernard of her own, Queenie! This book has set my standard on how Saint Bernards are portrayed in novels. Nothing I've read since compares.)

Where "The Fire Concerto" brushed up against my areas of "expertise" (seeing as I grew up with a Saint Bernard and am fiercely aromantic), I found it lacking. But in the more whimsical departments that are further removed from my experience (the history of fictional composers and the mystery of the metronome), I had a much more seamless and enjoyable time. I was especially moved by the final chapter, which gives readers a brief glimpse into Starza's and Pleyel's life, with an explanation of why the metronome is marked with a 72. That scene made my heart hurt in the best of ways.

Since I read an Advanced Readers' Copy of "The Fire Concerto," the Historical Notes section is empty. I would love to look at an official copy in a few months and see what Landenwich chose to include. If she based Starza, Pleyel, and their music off of something or someone in particular, I would love to know all about it! Besides, after reading historical fiction novels, I often find it fascinating to learn more about how the author constructed their story and why. Reading Kate Quinn's Historical Notes after finishing "The Rose Code" made me like the book even more! Perhaps that will be the case with this novel, too.

[Jen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Almost gave this one a 5. Mystery, music, tough history of women in the arts, love - blasted right through this one.

[Jane S · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Fire Concerto by Sarah Landenwich is a luminous, genre-defying novel that lingers like the notes of a nocturne long after the final page. At its heart is Clara Bishop, a once-celebrated concert pianist whose career was cut tragically short after a fire left her physically scarred and emotionally estranged from the instrument that once defined her life. What begins as a story of loss and self-imposed exile unfurls into a mesmerizing mystery that spans centuries, secrets, and symphonies.
Clara is a protagonist who captivates from the first note. Her retreat from the world is disrupted when her late piano teacher bequeaths her a historically cryptic metronome. What follows is a deepening journey into a 19th-century scandal involving a murdered Polish composer and a legacy obscured by scandal and secrecy. As Clara delves deeper into this historical enigma, she finds echoes of her own pain and redemption in the tragedy of the past.
Landenwich’s writing is a symphony of its own: elegant, immersive, and emotionally resonant. She moves fluidly between time periods with texture and authenticity. The mystery is masterfully constructed—layered like a complex piece of music, but it’s Clara’s internal journey, her grappling with trauma, silence, and the question of whether art can be reborn from ashes, that completes the composition.
The Fire Concerto is more than a mystery—it’s a meditation on creativity, healing, and the power of music to transcend secrets and lies.

[Anjali · Rating 4 out of 5]

An enjoyable historical mystery set in the world of classical music and featuring a present-day main character reckoning with her past as a pianist prodigy before a terrible fire upended her life and career. As (almost) always with books set in the music world, there were a few little nitpicks and annoyances for me, but they were easy to shrug off. I did wish there were just a tad fewer characters to keep track of; there was a cast list at the start of the book, but those always annoy me and I feel like they're unnecessary if the writing is strong. I'm intrigued to see what Landenwich decides to write about next.

[Tanya · Rating 4 out of 5]

A chance discovery on the new books shelf at the library; if you’re into mysteries and classical music, this in the one for you!

[Annie van Hilst · Rating 5 out of 5]

A well written historical mystery. I really enjoyed it.

[Kristin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Music and literature together in a mystery novel! This was a lot of fun. I enjoyed the references to real classical music history as well as the creativity of the fictional music history inspired by actual musical figures.

[Broccolista · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. It's well-written, and the mysteries unfold nicely. I love the main character's curiosity and research into the history of the objects and the people from the past.

[Marie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow! This book exceeded expectations! Full of mystery, history, suspense, musicology…also showing the mistreatment of women who dared to become composers and performers. Very very good.

[Debbe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow a great book by a local author. The mystery was intriguing and the classical music theme was very well done, considering we didn’t have a soundtrack.

Highly recommend.

[Carolyn Harper · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love how this novel includes so many elements—a passion for music, life-changing events (and not always in a good way), romance, travel, complicated relationships, and mystery. The title is based on a fictional composer’s greatest composition, known as the Fire Concerto. Though much of the story seems to be on piecing together details about Starza, it is really three female pianists from different times who drive the plot. I am greatly looking forward to future novels by Sarah Landenwich.

[Sharon · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading the author’s historical notes at the end as they explained how her characters were inspired by actual composers during the Romantic period. The metronome was also based on Beethoven’s faulty metronome and now I want to know more. “Was Something Wrong with Beethoven’s Metronome?”

[Pari Ghazi · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5
Fresh plot. Some sub-plot dragged a bit, but a fun read.

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my top book of the year so far! A beautifully crafted story with a page-turning musical mystery throughout. You won’t want to put this down!

[Emma Landenwich · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely loved reading this book. Truly captures the feelings of nostalgia, tragedy and hope in one incredible story. The character development was wonderful, I felt like I really got to know Clara and how her past shaped her. Agree with some previous commenters that this would be such an awesome movie, I would love to hear an imagined score!!! :)

[Jay · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Fire Concerto is superb. It's thought-provoking and mysterious. If only I could have a drink at the Andromeda Club to meet the cast of characters. The ending was particularly moving to me.

[Leane · Rating 3 out of 5]

Alternating time-periods, Style changes with the use of letters, journals, manuscripts, and articles, and compelling CHs, set in the 1880s through these documents and flashbacks and anchored in 1997, all combine with a building Tone as Suspense mixes with fear and regret in this intriguing novel also steeped with musical history and composing and performing details. Clara, once an extremely talented pianist and child-prodigy, is invited to attend a “concert” in Chicago, where her parents still reside, by her former teacher, the formidable, and not a little scary, Madame, who haunts her still. Clara is now a bartender in Austin TX still dealing with the injuries and emotional as well as physical scars from a fire that ended her thriving career at 21. This is a twisty, evocative journey best experienced by the reader; but I will say that a metronome, musical instruments, and fire take on metaphorical weight as the legitimacy of female artistic powers in previous centuries, the legacy and healing of creative expression, and bereavement infuse the Plot and theme. The author also explores parenting, ambition, and platonic and romantic love. Clara, her friend Julian, Tony Park, another former student, Clara’s parents, the composer Aleksander Starza, Madame Zofia, and other historical females resonate in all the time periods through use of the documents, dialogue, and the elements of Tone from the city Settings, especially Austin and Warsaw, Poland. The Starza Museum is a grand CH on its own, as is Madame’s Chicago home. There is also a dog Bingo to add some levity. Red Flags: Fire; Violence; Vandalism; Threats to Dog, WWII. Landenwich gives a brief Historical Notes section at the end and in her Acknowledgement a list of references she used for her research. In her notes she writes: “Creative expression is born from a desire to express in tangible form this wild human experience in a way someone else might understand” (336). Her narrative succeeds in sharing this in every chapter and anyone who enjoys music, art, or literature will appreciate it. Readalikes may be Brendan Slocumb excellent Symphony of Secrets (more of a Thriller), Tess Gerritsen’s Playing With Fire, and the Historicals of Fiona Davis and Melanie Benjamin.

[Kimberly Crum · Rating 5 out of 5]

My neighborhood book club loved this literary page-turner by Sarah Landenwich. So many complex characters. Beautiful writing. And a terrific plot!

This is a cold-case murder mystery (very cold!) investigated by a former child prodigy, Clara, whose career as a famous pianist ended after burns in a fire disfigured her hand and face. She is happy as a bartender in Austin, Texas. She would not have wanted to participate in this mystery if not for an antique metronome she inherits from her (supposedly) villainous piano teacher.

Clara has no interest in tracing the origin of the metronome to the 19th-century murder. But her life is upended by the consequences of owning this valuable object, which some suspect is a murder weapon. And so she pursues her investigations with an old friend, also a piano prodigy.

On top of the mystery to be solved, there is a love interest who might have his own scheme for the metronome. There are two very misunderstood lovers from the 19th century—one of whom was murdered by the other. There are so many twists and turns in this story, from Austin, Texas, to Chicago, to Warsaw, Poland, and back again.

Don't search for the names of the 19th-century musicians on Google (as several of my book club members did). The author writes that they are based on musicians of that time.

There are no true villains or heroes here. Only people with passion, trying to live life. I highly recommend!

[Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

This perfectly paced literary mystery was our book club pick this month, and we had the honor of having the author visit our group. Our other bonus guest was Sarah’s (and my!) piano teacher. To reconnect or stay connected with an influential teacher is such a gift, and the student teacher relationship is also a big part of this book. Our group loved the book and had a great discussion. Go add this to your fall TBR!

The Fire Concerto opens with Clara being summoned to her former piano teacher Madame’s home for what she thinks will be a performance. Clara was a brilliant pianist until she was injured in a fire, and hasn’t played or seen Madame for years. Clara is given an antique metronome, and as the story takes the reader from Austin to Chicago to Warsaw, the writing so elegantly conveys the atmosphere, such as the “mausoleum of muted sound” in Madame’s music room.

I loved the clever parallels between the women in this book. As Clara searches for the music of the forgotten and maligned musician Constantia, parallels between the two women emerge - their virtuosity, struggles with parents, coping with injuries and demanding teachers. As Clara makes her way closer to Constantia, she finds her way back to herself. The women in this book walk through literal and figurative fires in finding acceptance of the dualities within themselves and the people around them. The themes of mothering, transformation, and rivalry shine through the story. I just loved it.

[Mystica · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a story where one needed all your wits around you. It was complicated, went off in wildly parallel story lines and then finally came together.

Clara a piano playing prodigy is one of the main characters. Injured in a fire which she blames on her teacher, she has turned away from music and now works in a bar. A unexpected inheritance to several notables in the music world including Clara took all by surprise. Madame Sikorska who was Clara’s mentor was not known for generosity or kindness.

The inheritance sparked off a search into its history, including the ownership as doubts arose whether it was part of looted property from Jews fleeing Poland. The metronome purported to belong to the composer Starza has been missing since 1885. It was also supposed to be the one used in his murder. However nothing seems what it appears to be and history may have to be rewritten as far as Starzas loves and life was. It also may provide the impetus to propel Clara back into her professional life.

This was a complicated quite emotional, violent and traumatic retelling of a hidden story where facts are being uncovered a hundred years later. It was sad too because characters were misunderstood and forgotten completely.

[Christine · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 Historical fiction mystery of talented pianist who was injured in fire and hasn’t played since. She blames her v struck piano teacher Madam who is known to be a terror, bordering on abusive. She’s holed up in Austin, tending bar when she learns Madam has died and left her a metronome. Apparently, she’s related to famous (amalgamated) Polish composer Starz who was murdered in late 1800s. His student, a talented composer in her own right, is accused of killing him, but it turns out he was going mad from syphilis; they are lovers and their granddaughter is the Madam. Protagonist learns a lot about Madam growing up in an orphanage, treated horribly by jealous composer/teachers and begins to forgive her posthumously. A little too long but illustrates you never know what people are going through. Could have done without the love interest with childhood rival Tony.

-I miss playing. But it’s not pure. It’s like missing someone you love who betrayed you. You can’t remember the good parts without inviting the whole avalanche of bad ones.

-no one should be remembered for their worst moment.

[Nina Little · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an ARC copy of The Fire Concerto by Sarah Landenwich from The Read Queen @thereadqueenbookstore on Independent Bookstore Day. I'm feeling pretty lucky because I loved this debut, literary, historical-mystery, which doesn't publish until June 10.

I'm not a musician (I gave up piano lessons to pursuit being an athlete). Having no knowledge of music, I was concerned I wouldn't understand or enjoy this book. My lack of a musical background was a non-issue, as a reader of historical fiction, I was fully engaged and learned a lot. I actually enjoyed the historical plot line more than the modern day story line. I did not want to put this book down - all the way to the twist ending! Picture a Dan Brown book...with a classical music theme. The main characters are fictional but they felt real and I was completely wrapped up in their world of classical music - passion, obsession, betrayal, heartbreak. A well written, unique and mesmerizing page turner, 4.5 stars!

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Fire Concerto by Sarah Landenwich is a stunning debut. It is a beautifully written novel of Clara Bishop, a piano virtuosa, descended from a (fictional) master composer of the 19th century and taught by a strict and violent pianist who was a musical descendant of that same composer. (Meaning she was taught by someone who was taught by the composer.) Clara’s career was derailed by injuries sustained in a fire, and by the psychological trauma of having been a child prodigy with all the associated baggage.

There are so many layers to this novel, but I’m going to have to leave my review at this, because for full appreciation, you won’t want any of the plot twists revealed beforehand. It’s a contemporary novel, but with enough forays into the past that I can consider it a little bit of a historical novel, too. Read it and enjoy!

See my complete review at ReadingWorld