Catching Mozart

by Benjamin Laskin

“Got Mozart?”

Facing financial ruin and the breakup of their team, the three hapless and lovelorn gardeners of JC’s Lawncare bet everything on one last yard.

A new client in a ritzy neighborhood has offered the crew of misfits the chance to score dozens of new customers. Their fortune, however, depends upon succeeding where the efforts of every previous lawncare service on Queenly Night Drive had failed.

On the brink of despair, a chance encounter with a beautiful opera soprano sets JC and his pals on a wild, hilarious, and mind-blowing journey into “the Mozart zone.” Armed with mowers, manure, and Mozart, JC’s Lawncare bumbles forth to save the doomed yard from oblivion and win the loves of their lives.

When in a Mozart state of mind, anything is possible.

Rock me, Amadeus.

342 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 6, 2021

About the author

Benjamin writes fun, genre-bending novels that inspire, uplift, and entertain. Originally from Phoenix, Arizona, he has traveled widely and spent a large chunk of his adult life in Japan. He can now be found sauntering through the maze of narrow, stony alleyways in the ancient and legend-rich town of Safed, in Israel’s upper Galilee.

If you like original, life-affirming stories with characters who stay with you long after you’ve put down the book, please give one of his novels a try.

For more information, please visit his website at: www.benjaminlaskin.com.

Reviews

[Ovidia Yu · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wasn’t sure what to expect but ended up really loving this book and wanting to spend more time with Mozart, plants, bookstores and am feeling good as a result. Really grew to like the three clowns/ crowns too.

[Penny Crosson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this book! It's a very different story idea that is relatable to readers at all levels of their own personal story. Three lifelong friends working together to not only support themselves, but to try to make the world a prettier place, but the lawn service they operate is nearly failing due to their lack of know-how in advertising, marketing, and promotion. Their yard work is good and sincere, their friendship is solid, but they are mostly miserable. Until Mozart. As a Mozart fan myself, although I confess a woeful ignorance of the entirety of his work, I understand how his music can uplift and alter not only your current mood, but also your whole outlook about Life. There is magic in his music, and in this book, none of it overt, but definitely there in the form of a little mystery, a little enticement, a little intrigue. And wonder. Don't forget wonder. This book is delightful, and I simply could not wait to learn what happened next. Now that I've finished it, I think I'll read it again, just so I can stay in the world of the characters and, of course, Mozart. (Also, I want to extend a personal thank you to the author, Benjamin Laskin, for providing information at the end of the book for radio stations and biographies. I now have lots more reading to do!)

[Sherry L. · Rating 5 out of 5]

I got this book because the blurb sounded intriguing and it was free. I will be looking for more books by this author. I loved the way the guys worked together, in spite of their business struggles. Coming across the cursed street helped draw them back together through the adventures of figuring out the Mozart Effect, through their relationships with the various eccentric residents of the neighborhood, and through the many twists and turns. This was such a unique story with several surprises tucked in here and there. I looked up some of the Mozart pieces referenced in the story and listened as I read. I want to try music on our farm to see if there is a positive effect. You never know. 😉

[L. Zyndorf · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun story, great characters, and a new found appreciation for all that’s Mozart!

Chasing Mozart is universally appropriate. Great read from teen to geriatric…no kidding!
The characters are relatable. The friendships are terrific. The tension and adventure is just the right level of curiosity and fun.
The book is suitable for classical music enthusiasts and folks like me that know nothing but rock and roll. For those with some Mozart knowledge, they’ll find fun ties to Mozart’s own work and characters.
Laskin is an educator through storytelling. If you want to plant a seed of curiosity about classical music or even use this story as a companion to listening to the pieces mentioned in the book, it could be a wonderful way to appreciate the music of Mozart. Bravo!!!

[Katie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good feelings abound

Light hearted, imaginative and creative work.
Each page blends in mystical magical musical tones. Recommend this to lighten the day plus directing you towards belief in ethereal guidance . A feel good read indeed.
Get comfy have a favorite beverage close by then immerse yourself in the Magick that is Mozart.

[Benjamin A. Peckham,Sr]

Amazing, musical and mysterious

Mozart's music has been described by many as magical, and many other ways. This story takes the Mozart effect to a whole new level. Written with humor, compassion and insight into real people, you will laugh, cry and rejoice with every chapter. Enjoy!!

[Julie Baker · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is well written and the characters are deeply developed. I loved the historical knowledge woven into the chapters. The Mozart Effect is a very interesting to base a book on. I found this book a joy to read and I even laughed out loud several time. I love the two children who patrol the street. If you love a good story, fun characters, and a happy ending this book is for you.

[Geraldine K Jakubowski · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book put me in the Mozart mood!

I thoroughly enjoyed reading Catching Mozart, I wasn’t sure where it was going in the beginning, but I ended up loving it. I loved the characters and the whole premise of the story. I even had Mozart playing on my Alexa!

[Trish · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun Read

This was a fun read with a ton of interesting information about Mozart. Many parts made me smile and I finished with a strong desire to listen to some Mozart. I highly recommend if you're looking for some fun, light reading.

[Marilyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Have been listening too!

My goodness, such an enjoyable read! It also started me back to listening to classical music as I read. (Both enjoyable habits) I have found myself to new author, have to go learn about him.

[Heather · Rating 3 out of 5]

I chose this book from an online book club suggestion. With an interesting premise, I dove in but found myself returning to it less and less. It became a chore as I felt like I was reading a textbook in between increasingly less believable situations and plot progressions. I didn’t have the fondness for Mozart that the author did and felt beat over the head with facts to the point where I skimmed most of those parts. I did find some of the characters amusing and that kept it interesting. It was corny. It wasn’t terrible just not for me.

[Evelyn Biles · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mozart!

I loved every bit of it. Any classical music seems so outdated these days and we’re not doing our children a service by not including it in our daily lives.

[Jon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Laskin strikes again. His latest work is a charming, funny and breezy tale that somehow manages to combine the magic of Mozart and it’s power to revive the lives and fortunes of an endearing trio of down and out landscapers. No easy feat! But Laskin pulls it off, and by the end of Catching Mozart you’ll probably, like me, find yourself listening to way more Mozart than you did before.