What do you think?
Rate this book
Death is the Cool Night
Death Is the Cool Night . . .
Murder, passion, music and war combine in this riveting story of a troubled pianist who doesn’t know if he’s a murderer!
_________________________
EDGAR-NOMINATED AUTHOR LIBBY STERNBERG tells the brooding story of a classical pianist-turned-conductor who cannot remember the night his nemesis was murdered. Did he commit the crime—or did an enchanting soprano do it, a woman with whom he is falling in love? In the fall of 1941, as war creeps ever closer, his freedom and happiness depend on his ability to either identify the murderer or recall his own actions that night. With parallels to well-known operas, Death Is the Cool Night takes readers behind the scenes of a music conservatory and into the heart of some of the most beautiful compositions ever written for voice.
DEATH IS THE COOL NIGHT IS LIBBY STERNBERG's first adult mystery, but she is also the author of four young adult mysteries, the first of which was an Edgar nominee. Her historical novel inspired by Bronte's Jane Eyre and titled Sloane Hall is available in hardcover and digitally Writing as Libby Malin, she is the author of three humorous women's fiction books—Loves Me, Loves Me Not; Fire Me; and My Own Personal Soap Opera.
Praise for Libby Sternberg’s recent
The Case Against My Brother
“A riveting story of faith and betrayal against a background of bigotry. Touching and inspiring.”—Mystery Novelist Carolyn Hart
“…taut, vivid and stirring . . . highly recommended” – Library Journal
“This fast-paced novel has an interesting blend of fiction and fact, illuminating many issues plaguing immigrant families during a volatile time in America. Polish and Catholic, the main characters not only face stereotypes that accompany poverty, but also combat harsh racism… readers are easily swept up in the adventure as the eye-opening mystery unfolds.” —School Library Journal
Recovering Dad
The Balducci sisters and their mom are believable and warm characters. I highly recommend this book.” – I Love a Mystery
“Recovering Dad is an excellent story . . . Libby Sternberg is an Edgar Allan Poe award finalist for her first Bianca novel, and now that I've read this novel, I can understand why.”— Roundtable Review by Tracy Farnsworth
____
If you enjoy DEATH IS THE COOL NIGHT, also look for LOST TO THE WORLD, the second mystery in this series. LOST TO THE WORLD features Detective Sean Reilly as he tracks down the murderer of a Hopkins researcher on the eve of the polio vaccine trials.
Murder, passion, music and war combine in this riveting story of a troubled pianist who doesn’t know if he’s a murderer!
_________________________
EDGAR-NOMINATED AUTHOR LIBBY STERNBERG tells the brooding story of a classical pianist-turned-conductor who cannot remember the night his nemesis was murdered. Did he commit the crime—or did an enchanting soprano do it, a woman with whom he is falling in love? In the fall of 1941, as war creeps ever closer, his freedom and happiness depend on his ability to either identify the murderer or recall his own actions that night. With parallels to well-known operas, Death Is the Cool Night takes readers behind the scenes of a music conservatory and into the heart of some of the most beautiful compositions ever written for voice.
DEATH IS THE COOL NIGHT IS LIBBY STERNBERG's first adult mystery, but she is also the author of four young adult mysteries, the first of which was an Edgar nominee. Her historical novel inspired by Bronte's Jane Eyre and titled Sloane Hall is available in hardcover and digitally Writing as Libby Malin, she is the author of three humorous women's fiction books—Loves Me, Loves Me Not; Fire Me; and My Own Personal Soap Opera.
Praise for Libby Sternberg’s recent
The Case Against My Brother
“A riveting story of faith and betrayal against a background of bigotry. Touching and inspiring.”—Mystery Novelist Carolyn Hart
“…taut, vivid and stirring . . . highly recommended” – Library Journal
“This fast-paced novel has an interesting blend of fiction and fact, illuminating many issues plaguing immigrant families during a volatile time in America. Polish and Catholic, the main characters not only face stereotypes that accompany poverty, but also combat harsh racism… readers are easily swept up in the adventure as the eye-opening mystery unfolds.” —School Library Journal
Recovering Dad
The Balducci sisters and their mom are believable and warm characters. I highly recommend this book.” – I Love a Mystery
“Recovering Dad is an excellent story . . . Libby Sternberg is an Edgar Allan Poe award finalist for her first Bianca novel, and now that I've read this novel, I can understand why.”— Roundtable Review by Tracy Farnsworth
____
If you enjoy DEATH IS THE COOL NIGHT, also look for LOST TO THE WORLD, the second mystery in this series. LOST TO THE WORLD features Detective Sean Reilly as he tracks down the murderer of a Hopkins researcher on the eve of the polio vaccine trials.
- GenresMystery
192 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2010
About the author
Libby Sternberg
31 books12 followersLibby Sternberg is an Edgar finalist, a Launchpad Prose Top 50 finalist, and a BookLife quarter-finalist twice.
She writes historical fiction, women’s fiction, and more under the names Libby Sternberg and Libby Malin, and one of her romantic comedies was bought for film.
She has written two retellings of classic stories:"Daisy" ("The Great Gatsby") and "Sloane Hall" ("Jane Eyre").
"Sloane Hall" was one of only 14 books highlighted in the Huffington Post on the 200th anniversary of Charlotte Bronte's birth.
"Daisy" has been hailed by Publishers Weekly's BookLife contest as "A delightful portrayal of a female character claiming the story as her own, repossessing her own voice.”
Born in Baltimore, she now lives in Lancaster, PA with her husband Matthew. She has three grown children.
She writes historical fiction, women’s fiction, and more under the names Libby Sternberg and Libby Malin, and one of her romantic comedies was bought for film.
She has written two retellings of classic stories:"Daisy" ("The Great Gatsby") and "Sloane Hall" ("Jane Eyre").
"Sloane Hall" was one of only 14 books highlighted in the Huffington Post on the 200th anniversary of Charlotte Bronte's birth.
"Daisy" has been hailed by Publishers Weekly's BookLife contest as "A delightful portrayal of a female character claiming the story as her own, repossessing her own voice.”
Born in Baltimore, she now lives in Lancaster, PA with her husband Matthew. She has three grown children.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
January 2, 2021
This tale of the murder of a conductor at the Peabody Conservatory in 1941 is held together with the threads of music. The sounds of the 1940s, classical music and then opera lyrics are added that highlight the emotions. Romance leads and murder follows in the more rigid class system of this time period.
May 16, 2012
Dark, brooding, tortured, mysterious.... Well at times this book is all of those.
The murder is almost incidental to the cast of characters. The tortured wannabee conductor/composer, Gregory, the mysterious brooding Italian soprano, Renata, the enigmatic seemingly sweet tenor, Hans and the mysterious, at times dark slightly crazed, Laura.
A murder occurs and the police have their suspect but we readers are gently directed toward someone else. The lives of Gregory and Laura are actually more interesting than the murder. You see, Laura's mother has her own theory about who murdered Ivan, the conductor. Gregory's excessive drinking has lead to memory lapses so he's not sure what he remembers and what he dreamed. Gregory covets Ivan's position and Laura. Laura professes love for Gregory but Ivan was there first. Is Gregory capable of making his dreams come true? Is Laura bitter? Are Renata and Hans lovers or was she faithful to Ivan? What part did Hans play in all this? Lots of questions. Read the book for the answers.
The murder is almost incidental to the cast of characters. The tortured wannabee conductor/composer, Gregory, the mysterious brooding Italian soprano, Renata, the enigmatic seemingly sweet tenor, Hans and the mysterious, at times dark slightly crazed, Laura.
A murder occurs and the police have their suspect but we readers are gently directed toward someone else. The lives of Gregory and Laura are actually more interesting than the murder. You see, Laura's mother has her own theory about who murdered Ivan, the conductor. Gregory's excessive drinking has lead to memory lapses so he's not sure what he remembers and what he dreamed. Gregory covets Ivan's position and Laura. Laura professes love for Gregory but Ivan was there first. Is Gregory capable of making his dreams come true? Is Laura bitter? Are Renata and Hans lovers or was she faithful to Ivan? What part did Hans play in all this? Lots of questions. Read the book for the answers.
February 10, 2017
too many music references for me. The main character feels very sorry for himself. Lost interest.
March 30, 2011
Gregory Silensky, a concert pianist with damaged hands and a damaged psyche, can’t remember where he was at the time the opera conductor, Ivan Roustakoff, was murdered. This proves to be quite a problem.
Even he doesn’t know if he’s a killer. If he isn’t, then who is? Ivan’s fiancé, Renata? Or Hans, who seems to be involved with both her and Ivan? Then there’s the lovely young singer, Laura. Gregory finds himself attracted to her even though he knows she was fascinated with Ivan. The relationships in this novella are even more complicated than the operas the characters rehearse.
The brooding atmosphere darkens as World War II looms on the American horizon.
This historical mystery set in a world full of music has an intriguing cast of characters, particularly Gregory with his haunting backstory. Well worth the read.
Even he doesn’t know if he’s a killer. If he isn’t, then who is? Ivan’s fiancé, Renata? Or Hans, who seems to be involved with both her and Ivan? Then there’s the lovely young singer, Laura. Gregory finds himself attracted to her even though he knows she was fascinated with Ivan. The relationships in this novella are even more complicated than the operas the characters rehearse.
The brooding atmosphere darkens as World War II looms on the American horizon.
This historical mystery set in a world full of music has an intriguing cast of characters, particularly Gregory with his haunting backstory. Well worth the read.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews