Too Many Notes, Mr Mozart

by Bernard Bastable

The Mr Mozart of Bernard Bastable’s Dead, Mr Mozart was a German child prodigy who stayed on in England after his visit of 1764, cursing the luck that made him a despised hack in a foreign country, instead of being cherished and honoured in his native Austria. Then he found himself involved, willy-nilly, in the sordid business of George IV’s divorce from Queen Caroline.

Now, in 1830, with Wolfgang Gottlieb (he prefers the German form of his name) Mozart still remarkably spry for his age, it seems things are looking he is asked to give piano lessons to the young Princess Victoria.

He is less sure of his good fortune, however, when the princess, during her first lesson, makes a most unusual demand of him. And things go from bad to dangerous when she becomes Heir Apparent to the throne, and seems destined to be the victim of a tug-of-love between the new King, William IV, and her unwise mother, the Duchess of Kent.

When the King’s brood of illegitimate children, the FitzClarences, join in the situation rapidly gets alarming overtones, and when one of the guests at a Windsor Castle reception finds that drinking out of other people’s glasses can have fatal consequences, Mr Mozart has to face up to the fact that someone may have designs on his rather delightful new pupil.

Genres: Mystery, Music, Fiction, Alternate History, Crime

184 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 1995

About the author

A pseudonym of Robert Barnard.

Reviews

[David]

Mystery, under 200 pages. An "alternate history" that doesn't alter wars, governments or science. Mozart's father brought his 7-year-old son to England for a performance, and decided to settle in England. Because of English culture, Mozart didn't become known as such a great composer. He traveled with musicians around England, wrote some less significant music for those music groups, and wrote great compositions which weren't recognized as such. It's now 1830 and Mozart is 73. Mozart has had some dealings with the aristocracy, including a few cases of helping them with sensitive (non-musical) matters. So, he's been hired to give piano lessons to the 11-year-old Princess Victoria. In the process, he is also asked by two people to find out about a possible affair between Victoria's mother and Lord John.

Then, about 40% into the book, a man dies at a party given by the king, and it appears he may have been poisoned by drinking from a glass left by Victoria. Mozart then works to find out what is going on. There are many people around, including a number of illegitimate children of the king - one of whom may not like the fact Victoria is the heir apparent.

[Donna · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars. An easy, entertaining read.

[Robin Lyn · Rating 2 out of 5]

Didn't really care for this book. Maybe I just never warmed up to the fact the main character was Mozart. Now I love Mozart but didn't relate to the depiction the author portrayed.

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved it. I love this author (who usually writes under the name Robert Barnard), and have read many of his books. But back to this book. A very good mystery, starring a musician named Mozart and set in the years shortly before Victoria ascended to the throne. Setting, characters, plot, humor all excellent and enjoyable. Not a heavy historical mystery. Lots of humor and wit. This is a British writer.

[Jeannine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very enjoyable "traditional" mystery set in an alternate history in which Mozart lives to a ripe old age and becomes the music tutor of Princess Victoria, her protector and friend, as well as assisting the King on several confidential matters... such as murder. Robert Barnard writing as Bernard Bastable, and as ever reliable and entertaining.

[N Young · Rating 5 out of 5]

So much fun to read! Set in an alternate history in which Mozart becomes the music tutor of Princess Victoria and becomes embroiled in royal intrigue and murder. There are some references to real historical people and events, but it's all very tongue-in-cheek.

[Jim · Rating 3 out of 5]

What would have happened had Mozart lived to be Queen (Princess) Victoria's piano teacher?