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Camryn Paine has an ear for music . . . and for trouble.

When public relations expert Camryn Paine’s alma mater requests her help, she agrees to do some image intervention for the music conservatory. She’s thrown into the thick of things her first day on the job when she witnesses a student drop dead during a talent show sound check.

Camryn’s unique auditory abilities lead her to suspect foul play. The more questions she asks, the clearer it becomes that something is amiss at the school. She’s determined to crack the case before any more dead bodies are found.

Unfortunately, her abilities also make Camryn a threat to a killer who doesn’t want anyone to hear the truth. Will she solve this case and redeem the conservatory’s reputation? Or will her body be the next one to take center stage?

346 pages, Kindle Edition

First published July 18, 2021

210 people are currently reading
107 people want to read

About the author

Christy Barritt

338 books1,664 followers
Christy Barritt is an author, freelance writer and speaker who lives in Virginia. She’s married to her Prince Charming, a man who thinks she’s hilarious—but only when she’s not trying to be. Christy’s a self-proclaimed klutz, an avid music lover who’s known for spontaneously bursting into song, and a road trip aficionado. She’s only won one contest in her life—and her prize was kissing a pig (okay, okay… actually she did win the Daphne du Maurier Award for Excellence in Suspense and Mystery also). Her current claim to fame is showing off her mother, who looks just like former First Lady Barbara Bush
When she’s not working or spending time with her family, she enjoys singing, playing the guitar, and exploring small, unsuspecting towns where people have no idea how accident prone she is.

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Displaying 1 - 30 of 83 reviews
Profile Image for Kelly Bridgewater.
1,206 reviews62 followers
July 25, 2021
The Tremble with Murder by Christy Barritt starts a new mystery series, which I am so excited about. This story takes place away from Lantern Beach. This is the number one appeal of the series. It takes place at a Music College. The mystery happens within the first chapter. I love how the heroine has to deal with some issues from her past when she arrives at this school that she attended, but she stays focused on the murder of one of the students from the incident. This is a delightful cozy mystery with an amateur sleuth that held my attention. I can't wait to see the next installment.
Profile Image for Clare O'Beara.
Author 25 books371 followers
December 23, 2021
I really enjoyed the concept and the mystery is reasonable; I'd like to learn more about music though. The protagonist is a retired singer who, following the death of her husband and departure of her daughter to college, returns to work, in the field of PR. She is hired by a music college where she had trained, to help them cope appropriately with the death of a student.

Our protagonist has better than average hearing and perfect pitch; I was annoyed that she says she doesn't expect anyone else at the establishment would notice a slightly off-tune piano key. In a music college? Is this not where many people with perfect pitch would gravitate, including the odd piano tuner and music professor?

Matters go wrong and a series of accidents and deaths occur. I thought the least likely part was that someone keeps threatening the PR lady. If they don't want to be found out, they would keep it looking like accidents, not remove all doubt. The college is incredibly insecure and people who don't belong there are wandering around, the cameras never work, and even after her purse and apartment keys are stolen, the PR lady doesn't get the locks changed. Why not?

We do see a variety of people and learn a variety of their motivations. As I say I would have liked to learn something more about music; maybe in the next book. Nor do we see a press conference; we just get told one occurred. Given this is the character's job we should see her do her job.

This is a promising start to a series. I like the mid-life angle and reflections on careers. This is an unbiased review.

Profile Image for Wade.
750 reviews26 followers
July 27, 2022
“Were these deaths truly accidents or is something more sinister going on at the school?”

“In times of murder, every precaution should be taken.”

“Love—especially imperfect love—could bring about some misplaced emotions at times.”

I tried a new series by Christy Barritt and it has some good potential. Interesting characters and a non-beach setting. It takes place at a college called Grand Isle Conservatory that prepares students for a career in music. As someone who plays a few instruments, I did enjoy this aspect of the book.

Although a different series with a different location and characters, I was disappointed that once again we see recycled material in books: someone running away when confronted, someone dressed in all black, someone getting hit in the head and knocked out, and a car ramming another from behind. These cliches keep happening in all her books, which is a shame since I always enjoy her writing style and mysteries. I did guess the killer in this one. But there were some good red herrings.

Like I said, this series does have potential. Will have to decide if I want to continue it
Profile Image for Holly.
708 reviews21 followers
August 1, 2021
I've read a lot of books by this author and Gabby St. Clair has been my favorite, but Camryn Paine just might take her place. I really enjoyed the unique qualities of Camryn, still not sure what I think of Weston, but he just may grow on me!

The story was really good with it's musical overtones and some nice misdirection. The story kept me engaged and entertained. I really wasn't sure who the culprit was until the end.

Looking forward to more stories about Camryn!

Disclaimer: I did receive this book from the author but was under no obligation to provide a review.
513 reviews7 followers
July 30, 2021
Loved it

Great book and plot. Loved the description of the school and city. I loved the main character. Will read the next in series when it comes out.
Profile Image for Carolyn Bragg.
397 reviews8 followers
January 19, 2022
A solid beginning to this series starring former vocal sensation Camryn Paine. Her new career is in PR as a fixer. A prestigious music academy in Savannah has experienced some "unfortunate events" involving students, including a death. All accidental, of course, but with supporters threatening to pull their backing, the academy president needs some serious first aid.

Camryn's "superpower" is extremely acute hearing, and with a background in security and the inner workings of a criminal mind, she is in a unique position to notice more than the average staff member.

The complication? It's her alma mater, and the man who broke her heart is a teacher at the academy. That's the scoop.

This book has an understandably slow beginning, and we hear Camryn's thoughts and unease about her past and her plans to help the academy. It's a good mystery, and I suspected a number of innocent people, but that's how investigations have to work--if you don't want to miss the culprit!

I look forward to Camryn's future adventures!

5/5 Stars

#TheTrebleWithMurder
#TheSchoolOfHardRocksMysteries
#RiverHeightsPublishing
Profile Image for Paul Goble.
231 reviews6 followers
September 21, 2021
Storytelling at its finest. Although the book doesn’t offer any profound spiritual lessons or literary depth, it does supply a solid plot accompanied by Barritt’s trademark funny, quirky characters and delivered through impeccable writing.

I was especially impressed by the author’s sparkling use of first-person past tense. There were no distracting “filter words” or temporal nonlinearities. A very unusual sentence near the beginning sets the tone: “Which was precisely what I was doing right now.”

Main characters: Camryn is a former music superstar in her mid-40s with amazing (but believable) auditory superpowers. She works PR jobs while investigating and fixing underlying problems (murder, in this case). Weston is a former classmate and boyfriend who has come back into her life. The story takes place at the fictional Grand Isle Music Conservatory.

This is a short, clean book which should appeal to both female and male readers. If you’ve never read any of Barritt’s work, and there is a lot of it, this would be a good place to start.
Profile Image for Ashley.
1,176 reviews45 followers
July 26, 2021
The Treble with Murder was so great! It's quite different from Barritt's other stories, but I really enjoyed it.

Camryn, the heroine, was a little older (in her forties), so it was a nice change reading about a more mature character. I admired her no-nonsense and take-charge attitude. And her special skills with sound were very impressive – almost like a superpower.

The mystery was good and kept me guessing. All of those “freak accidents” couldn't be a coincidence, right? Someone had to be targeting the students. But why? And who could it be? I was definitely surprised by the reveal.

This was another great start to a new series from Christy Barritt. I'd say it has the same kinda vibe as her “Sidekick's Survival Guide” series. So if you liked that, you're sure to love this one. I can't wait for the next installment.

I received a copy of this book from the author and voluntarily reviewed it. All thoughts and comments are my honest opinion.
Profile Image for Kevin.
802 reviews20 followers
July 28, 2021
Come to Grand Isle Music Conservatory for the music . . . stay for the mysteries

When Camryn Paine returns to Grand Isle Music Conservatory, her alma mater, to do some public relations work, she doesn't expect to get involved with solving a murder. But she does, and that's where author Christy Barritt shines.

I've mentioned it before, but Barritt has a reputation for creating characters who feel like friends from the first time they're introduced and then putting them in peril for her fans to enjoy. Once again, this time with Camryn and Weston Turner and Professor Skittles and Joseph Hannon, Barritt has characters that I want to see more of . . . now!

And lest I forget the mystery, I must confess that while I did suspect the character who turned out to be the villain, I suspected someone else for quite a while (and I'm still certain they're guilty of something).

Great read! Highly recommended!!!
195 reviews5 followers
August 30, 2021
In this new mystery series by Christy Barritt, the author departs a little from the majority of her recent series in the setting and characters. Camryn is a 40 something former music student at a music school in Savannah, GA. She's done the traveling to do shows bit, but now has changed to a career in Public Relations. When her former school requests her help, she has mixed feelings to returning to campus and her anxiousness is compounded when a student particpating in the school talent show dies on Camryn's first day back. Further inquiry finds that another student, also in the show, died previously, and several others have had mysterious "accidents." No one is out from under suspicion, including old friends. Can she get to the bottom of this before the killer takes her out too?

I was given a copy of this book for free, but the opinions are my own.
Profile Image for Mary Hake.
Author 4 books414 followers
July 21, 2021
An exciting new series totally different from others this prolific mystery writer has penned, this novel looks to be a fun story, setting, and cast of characters. Students have had accidents and some have died at a music conservatory. So Camryn Paine returns to her former school to help overcome any negative publicity they may receive. She is drawn into investigating the crimes and trying to uncover who and why people are under attack. Her special auditory skills enable her to hear things others can’t and assist her in her pursuit of the murderer. Throw in a quirky assistant and a former love to mix things up more. The suspense resonates throughout the entire book. I received a copy from the author. All opinions are my own.
25 reviews1 follower
July 24, 2021
Quirky, fun new series!

Murder, music, and mishaps with Camryn. This leading lady is a decade older than most of Ms. Barritt's main characters at 43. She's a mom, a widow, and a former singer with a fine tuned ear. Student deaths at her alma mater bring her home as the CCO to help manage the PR... and maybe snoop around quite a bit. She reunites with friends from the past and meets some interesting students along the way while figuring out exactly what is going on at the school.

This new series is off to a good start. I can see it going many different directions. It will be interesting to see what happens next time, as Camryn tends to get into trouble by poking her "ears" where they don't belong!
452 reviews17 followers
August 8, 2021
I'm always excited when Christy Barritt puts out a new book, but especially a new series. Camryn, a former pop star turned public relations specialist, returns to her alma mater to help them out with some PR. What she doesn't anticipate happening is the death of her former roommate's daughter on her first day. Everyone else thinks it is simply an accident, but Camryn's instincts (and innate hearing ability) lead her to believe otherwise. Will Camryn be able to figure out what is going on before more incidents happen? A great quick read filled with suspense and possibly some romance? If you love Hallmark Movies and Mysteries, you will enjoy this book! Looking forward to the next one in the series.
Profile Image for Kim.
718 reviews14 followers
July 23, 2021
The School of Hard Rocks is another opportunity for author Christy Barritt to spotlight her versatile writing skills. Showcasing her expert suspense genre skills, Barritt introduces fans to a gifted middle-aged woman turned amateur detective. Camryn Paine is both intelligent and talented in several areas, and her rare auditory genius allows elusive clues to be explored. Join her in hunting the criminal behind a series of incidents and deaths at the Savannah music conservatory. You'll find a new fictional friend in Camryn and anticipation for more in this new series.

I received a complimentary copy of the book without obligation. This review is my opinion.
1,042 reviews11 followers
July 25, 2021
New series

Christy Barritt has left Lantern Beach for this series set in Savannah. Camryn Paine turned her back on fame & fortune as a singer, went back to college & degreed in public relations & communications. In her new job at Grand Isle Music Conservatory, she is quickly thrown into saving the institute's image while solving the murders of top contenders for fame & prestige in the music field. Parents are pulling their students from school due to the murders (or mysterious deaths). Situation solved, Camryn is asked to stay on for a while longer in order to salve over the tarnished image of the school. Thus we have the setup for book 2 of the series.
Profile Image for Shaunesay.
640 reviews83 followers
March 19, 2022
I was very interested to find a cozy mystery in a musical school setting. The mystery itself was fine, most of the characters were good, but I would have enjoyed more tidbits about music throughout, that's one of the things I look for in themed cozies. Professor Skittles was a little bit of a problematic character for me, as I was reading what I initially thought of as a funny bit out loud to my trans spouse, about how she "identifies" as a Professor, so has changed her name to that, they were a bit put off by that, and I understand why. It's a sensitive topic that probably shouldn't have had a joke made about it, however innocently meant. She was intended to be a fun and quirky character, and I think she could have been even without that, just by the way she dressed and acted. Overall I liked it, but didn't love it, so I'm not sure I'll be continuing the series.
Profile Image for Debbie.
283 reviews12 followers
July 21, 2021
Love this new book from Christy Barritt!! Something that I rarely see in any type of novel - supsense or otherwise - the main character is older, which is something I truly enjoyed in this book. We get to "meet" the characters but it wasn't forced or awkward - or boring, it had a natural flow in the story. The mystery and suspense keep you guessing until the very end! I had no idea what was going to happen next. I can't wait to read the next book in this series. I received an advance copy from the author but all opinions are my own.
156 reviews2 followers
September 7, 2021
This was another delightful cozy mystery by Christy Barritt. The story started off a little slowly for me, but once I got a few chapters in it was a quick read. There is a heroine with an unusual auditory capability and an interesting backstory. There were some quirky characters as well who added to my enjoyment.

I believe the stage is set for a series of mysteries to be solved in each book as well as an overarching mystery that will span the series, as Barritt has done in other series. I look forward to reading more books in this series and learning more about these characters.
Profile Image for Adrienne Rivera.
58 reviews1 follower
December 27, 2021
Well played

Initially, I had a hard time finding depth in Camryn. But, after some sustained reading, I found her to be quite sharp - a natural. I suspected every person that she suspected, at some point but, she beat me to it. I will say that this book was anything but monotonous...every twist had a melodic curve. Well, I guess I had better button this up. In conclusion, the finale gave me pause with an unexpected surprise that was well worth the wait. On a chromatic scale of 1 to 7, I would give it a G. I look forward to harmonic sequence.
Profile Image for Melissa Stands.
112 reviews
July 21, 2021
Another winner by Christy Barrit. I have to say that I think this is almost my favorite book by Barritt thus far. A 40+ widowed Camryn returns to her alma mater to help them through a rough spot. Plenty of back story on both the main character and the school combined with an intriguing cast of characters makes for a great read! I’m definitely looking forward to the next book in the series.
1,428 reviews12 followers
July 24, 2021
I had a BETA Copy of this book, but this is my voluntary and honest opinion. Christy Barritt has the start of another great series with this first book. I thoroughly enjoyed reading it. The plot centers around a music conservatory and the struggle to become the top of the class and be noticed to have the desired career, but something is happening to the front runners so Camryn is hired to do damage control, and she encounters several people from her past.
144 reviews
September 28, 2021
I thoroughly enjoyed this book, The Treble with Murder. I love the curiosity that the main character, Camryn, has. Her ability to stick with her instincts and her amazing gifts leads her into sleuthing throughout the book. Her adventures lead her through many twists and turns till the end. I always enjoy getting to the end of Christy Barritt’s stories and finding out who the criminal is because I never suspect who it is!
Profile Image for Diane Higgins.
652 reviews12 followers
June 30, 2022
"The Treble with Murder" was another great read by Christy Barrett. I always enjoy Christy Barrett's books, and I am amazed how she can come up with such different subject areas. This one was another mystery but it center around music. Camryn is a former music star who comes back to her alma mater. A couple murders happen and she helps to find out who the murderer is. This is a quick and easy read. I received this book from the author for my honest review.
Profile Image for Valerie Hartup.
116 reviews2 followers
July 21, 2021
Great new series!!

Wow! Is all I can say about this brand new series by Christy Barritt! Camyrn is a women in her 40s returning back to her college as a PR rep as all of the sudden lots of ‘accidental deaths’ are happening on campus. Can Camyrn figure this out and save the school’s reputation?
455 reviews2 followers
July 22, 2021
So excited for this new series by Christy.
She is one of my favorite authors! She always adds so much to her stories when she develops them. Thoroughly enjoyed reading this, it kept me on the edge the majority of the time. I did not figure this out on my own so it made it even more interesting. Can't wait to read the next one in this series. And excited to read more of Cam's adventures.
Profile Image for Robyn Seitzler.
216 reviews6 followers
July 22, 2021
Too Good to Put Down

A new series of mysteries has begun with a . . . Bang? No. Jab? No. Arsenic? No. Well how did it start? Ah! You’ll need to read the book that kept me up way past my bedtime to find out! Ms. Barritt shows her excellence in character creation in The Treble with Murder. I’m looking forward to book two!
32 reviews
August 26, 2021
In The Dark

Christy Barritt keeps me in the dark with this story. Not only does most of the action take place in dark places, but the perpetrator remains in the shadows of everyday activities until the very end of the story. I am most intrigued by the main character's unique ability and how she chooses to use it.
Profile Image for Linda.
1,595 reviews24 followers
August 30, 2021
I love this author, I really do. I've read many of her many many books. This book was as well written as any of them but I'm basing my review completely on subject material. I just didn't care for the mystery in a music school. I probably won't read any more in this series but there are many more series and books of Ms. Barritt that I need to read.
4 reviews
September 20, 2021
A Great book

I loved it. It was good detective work piecing the evidence together and eliminating suspects. The feel of returning to the past and making peace with it. From old love to friendship and bonding. Reconciling tragedy and guilt. The importance of life and grief of loss.
Profile Image for Clara K Page.
773 reviews9 followers
July 19, 2023
Loved this book

Loved the main characters and their past history. I was, and still am, rooting for them to get back together. The mystery was suspenseful and had me turning pages to know who the killer was and why they were doing it. Also I always enjoy the stories that having you guessing and it is almost the end before you find the answers
Displaying 1 - 30 of 83 reviews

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