Danse Macabre

Daniel Jacobus Mystery #2

by Gerald Elias

Daniel Jacobus, reclusive blind concert master and amateur sleuth, returns to solve a most despicable crime and to clear an innocent man
 Just after his Carnegie Hall swansong and before his imminent departure for retirement in France, beloved violinist and humanitarian Rene Allard is brutally murdered with a mysterious weapon. His young African American rival, crossover artist BTower, is spotted at the scene of the crime hovering over the contorted body of Allard with blood on his hands. In short order the aloof and arrogant BTower is convicted and sentenced to death, in part the result of the testimony of blind and curmudgeonly violin pedagogue Daniel Jacobus, like millions of others, an ardent admirer of Allard. Justice has been served…or has it? Jacobus is dragged back into the case kicking and screaming, and reluctantly follows a trail of broken violins and broken lives as it leads inexorably to the truth, and to his own mortal peril.

Genres: Mystery, Music, Fiction, Mystery Thriller

288 pages, Hardcover

First published August 24, 2010

About the author

For decades, Gerald Elias has brought joy to countless mystery fans and concertgoers alike.

His dozen novels include the critically acclaimed Daniel Jacobus mystery series, set in the dark corners of the classical music world. An audiobook of Murder at Royal Albert, the eighth installment of the series, features musical excerpts by the Boston Symphony and Elias himself, and was declared “an altogether delightful experience” by AudioFile Magazine. His standalone Western mystery, Roundtree Days, was a 2023 Killer Nashville Silver Falchion finalist. (Look for the sequel in 2026!)

Elias’s many short stories have appeared in such prestigious magazines and anthologies as Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine and Coolest American Stories 2023, and in his own short story collection, It’s a Crime! Coming up are two all-new collections of lighthearted short crime fiction, Murder on Vacation and Murder Goes Abroad, both featuring a new hero, retired NYPD Police Chief Maury Gross and his perspicacious wife, Bobbi.

A former violinist with the Boston Symphony, Elias has performed and taught on five continents. He has also been music director of Salt Lake City’s popular Vivaldi by Candlelight chamber orchestra series for over 20 years.

Elias currently divides his time between the shores of the Puget Sound in Seattle and the Berkshire Hills of western Massachusetts, where he continues to expand his literary and musical horizons while enjoying the outdoors, travel, coffee, sports, cooking, and most of all, being a devoted grandpa.

Reviews

[Amy H · Rating 2 out of 5]

"Danse Macabre" pitched itself as a haunting (if slightly grotesque) murder mystery involving classical music appreciation, which, as a classically trained pianist and overall music enthusiast, immediately had me hooked. I saw the spine on the Bargain Books shelf in my university's campus bookstore twice before I decided to spend the $2 CAD and buy it on a whim- heck, doing so would satisfy my curiosity, if nothing else.

I made it through the first 110 pages before I couldn't take it anymore. Gratuitous musical references aside (and they were, perhaps, the only parts that kept me reading- the constant question of "what semi-famous/famous piece is going to be name-dropped next?"), "Danse Macabre" only succeeded in dragging on.. and on.... and on.....

I won't spoil it, so in vague terms, I took issue with the plot and the characters. Mostly, I felt as though each character was a walking cliché- there was no substantial depth, and any flaws that might have made any one of them interesting felt carelessly thrown in, at best. The story itself was rather intriguing, but the plot as it was presented had my eyelids drooping with every other paragraph.

Once I had a few hours to kill and enough willpower to subject myself to this book again, I took another go at it. The last few chapters were certainly more entertaining than the first 4/5ths of the book, so leaving the story felt marginally worth the struggle to finish it.

Overall, this earned a nice 2.5 stars: any book I find halfway decent gets 2, and those I enjoy throughout (to some capacity) land a 3. Would I recommend it to a friend? If that friend enjoys classical music, graphic descriptions of murder, and long, drawn out, poorly presented investigation scenes, then you know what?

I just might.

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was good! It was different. For some reason, though, reading it always made me sleepy... I want to read the other book by this author.

[Merry · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really like this series. Very New York, Jewish, classical music, funny, colorful. Good mystery and main character.

[C.C. Yager · Rating 4 out of 5]

Danse Macabre is a famous violin piece composed by Camille Saint-Saens designed to evoke the sound of the Devil playing the violin. Accompanied by piano, of course. I wonder if Saint-Saens saw himself at the piano? In the mystery novel, Danse Macabre by Gerald Elias, the blind violinist Daniel Jacobus once again faces what appears to be an unsolvable mystery that involves the death of a master violinist whose special encore was always Saint-Saens' piece.

The story begins with the master violinist, Rene Allard's, gruesome death just feet from his apartment door in New York City, his body left in an unnatural pose, seemingly curled over his violin case. He had just performed his final recital and planned to retire to Paris. His apartment is on the 4th floor of the same building that houses Boris Dedubian's famous violin business, so Jacobus is well acquainted with the building. He also had heard many times in concert the master violinist and his exclusive accompanist, Virgil Lavender. In fact, he had attended Allard's recital that evening and he, his student Yumi, and friend Nathaniel, were on their way to Allard's post-recital party when they run into Detective Malachi of the NYPD in the building's lobby. The good detective informs them of Allard's murder and they accompany him to the building's basement where the elevator man lives. The elevator man, Sigmund Gottfried, had operated the ancient Otis elevator in the building for many, many years and was the last person to see Allard alive. Sigmund, or Ziggy, spins a story of love and adoration for Allard and is clearly distressed by his violent death. Another resident in the building who lives up the hall from Allard tells the police that she had seen another famous violinist standing over Allard with bloody hands. The police think they have their man. But wait! Maybe not. BTower, the other famous violinist, has a lawyer who believes in his innocence, especially because there's really no kind of hard evidence against him, and persuades Jacobus to take another look into the investigation.

And so the game's afoot! Well-structured and paced, full of colorful and memorable characters, this mystery hinges on the human emotional involvement with music so I paid close attention to the music Elias mentions. Some of the music I knew already, some I'd heard but couldn't recall quickly, and others were unknown to me. I'm in the process now of listening to all the music, one piece at a time, at YouTube (if I don't have a recording). I love YouTube. It is an invaluable resource for anyone interested in music, no matter what type of music. For me, the music enriched the story and gave depth to the human motivations behind the characters' behavior. Although this was also an example of how art, and the human perception of it, can get perverted in some way for any of the usual reasons: greed, power, etc.

I do have a couple quibbles however. My first is about planting clues. I'm the kind of mystery reader who really likes to be solving the mystery along with the detective in the story whether that detective is a cop or a blind violinist. Jacobus' blindness becomes a blind spot in this story, though. The weapon was something he would have had to have seen or at least have remembered in a descriptive passage since it was something he encountered every time he visited the building where Allard was murdered. And then the reader is not really privy to Jacobus' thought process which would have also been helpful. Often Elias writes that Jacobus is faced with 10 more questions for every one he answers. Well, what were those questions each time that happened? What was his thinking and how did it lead him to do what he did? So, there needs to be a clearer identification of the clues Jacobus encounters and puts together -- how he sees the puzzle in his mind.

My second quibble is the ending. While Elias gives the reader a Coda in which he visits all the major players and the reader finds out what happened, I would have liked to have seen how Jacobus got out of the pickle he got himself into. As it was, the ending was not very satisfying. One of the primary tenets of writing is to show, not tell. What a really amazing ending it could have been, based on what the reader is told in the Coda!

As with Devil's Trill, I'd recommend Danse Macabre to anyone who loves mysteries, curmudgeonly characters, classical music, and ancient Otis elevators.

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you are in the mood for a twist and turn mystery novel this one will keep you guessing with many characters and you wondering who done it?

The main character beloved Rene Allard is a renown violinist and is loved by all by his amazing talent. After his performance at Cargegie hall swan song Danse Macabre and his imminent retirement back to France he is confronted by his young African American Rival BTower. They have a volitile relationship based upon envy, greed the grisly scene of murder of Rene Allard leaves the reader to see did BTower do it or was there some other party involved in his close world admirers, students, friends etc.

Daniel Jacobus the blind proagogue and admirer of Allard and outspoken critic of BTower's talent to find out that he becomes dragged into the case of trying to find the murderer of Allard follows a trail of broken lives and broken violins as it leads to the truth of who the true culprit was.

Was it greed, envy, money, admiration, extortion or just plain hatred?

It will keep you guessing through the whole novel I was suprised at the ending. A good easy read.

[Alex Smith · Rating 3 out of 5]

I didn't know anything about this book when I picked it up at the annual library book sale (the dust jacket was missing). It proved to be a quick read with lots of twists and turns, the sort of mystery that many people enjoy during the summer. Elias's writing style is unmemorable, and it would certainly help if the reader had a strong interest in classical music. The denouement is unbelievable - - one of those sequences in which the killer has the hero at his mercy, and, rather than simply shooting the amateur detective and then escaping, the villain lets the hero talk on for pages and pages, by which point other people implausibly show up and save the day. In addition, I personally found the protagonist - - a quirky, brilliant figure in a tradition running from Sherlock Holmes to Nero Wolfe - - to be so unlikeable that I was rooting for the murderer when he tried to slip the hero a drink laced with cyanide.

[J Mills · Rating 3 out of 5]

I did not realize this was a second book in a series until I started reading. It did not, however, affect my understanding of the story. It was interesting and fun reading, but there's not much by way of substance. I like that the main character is atypical.

[Lucy Hensley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautifully written cozy mystery. Ties to many faceted character's and their histories and relationships with themselves and music.

[Shiela · Rating 4 out of 5]

I continue to learn so much from this series - about New York City as well as music.

[Elizabeth Bell · Rating 3 out of 5]

More problematic than the first in the series IMO, and the murder victim's final message snapped credulity.

[Isaac Saba · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's captivating story was slightly soured right when I saw the ending coming.

[Beth · Rating 4 out of 5]

DANSE MACABRE is the second book in the series featuring blind violin teacher and reluctant member of the human race, Daniel Jacobus. In this book, Daniel has almost willingly journeyed from the Berkshires in Massachusetts to Carnegie Hall in order to attend the farewell concert of fabled violinist Rene Allard. Allard is retiring to his native France and Jacobus, more or less happily, agrees to attend a private party at Allard’s home after the concert.

Accompanied by his best friend, Nathaniel Williams, and his student, Yumi Shinagawa, Daniel arrives at the Bonderman Building to learn that Allard has been murdered in a manner both grotesque and grisly. Inspector Malachi, the investigator in Daniel’s previous brush with the law, is playing the same role in the death of Rene Allard. Daniel was a frequent visitor to the Bonderman Building when he was active in the classical music world. Daniel, Nathaniel, and Yumi decide to accompany Inspector Malachi to talk with Sigmund Gottfried, the elevator operator who found Allard’s body. Ziggy was a fixture of the building, even living in the basement, and Daniel and his friends find him distraught over the death of the Maestro. Before they have finished consoling Ziggy, a witness comes forward and names the killer.

B’Tower, a young violin virtuoso who was a huge crossover hit, is identified as the killer, seen standing over Allard’s body with blood on his hands. At the trial, Daniel is called as a character witness for Allard and by the time Daniel and the press are finished, Allard is shown to be a cross between Mother Theresa and Gandhi. B’Tower, birth name Shelby Freeman, Jr., is cast as the jealous musician who, knowing he can never be as good as Allard, attacks him in a jealous rage. In record time, B’Tower is found guilty and sentenced to death.

A week before the scheduled execution, B’Tower’s attorney is desperate. Despite the conviction, the prosecution could never show how Allard was murdered and the murder weapon was never found. Rosenthal plays on Daniel’s sympathies and his experience as an unjustly accused murder suspect. Daniel remembers all too well how a man can be made to look guilty even when he is innocent. Although B’Tower has ordered his lawyers to cease pursuing an appeal, Daniel decides that he has an obligation to take another look at the man he helped convict and that means he has to take another look at Rene Allard.

As Daniel, Nathaniel, and Yumi examine the life of Allard the man, rather than the icon, they discover someone quite different from his public persona. Fraud, greed, envy, and long-buried sins are revealed; secrets are exposed. And the reader even learns about differences in naming musical notes.

Gerald Elias has made Daniel more likable, more human in this second book. Daniel even displays a sense of humor. He and his friends are eating at a French bistro in Salt Lake City. “Maurice Chevalier was now singing ‘Thank Heaven for Little Girls.’ Jacobus called the waiter over and asked if they could play some Marcel Marceau. The waiter said he would ask.”

Jacobus grows on the reader; he is a very different kind of hero. The author, a well-respected musician, teaches the reader about the violin, classical music, and the world of those who reach the upper levels of that world, making the information a necessary and entertaining part of the story. I am looking forward to the further adventures of Daniel and his band of enablers, Nathaniel, Yumi, and even Inspector Malachi, the nice people who help the not very nice Daniel function in the world outside his cabin in the woods.

[Kari · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read Devil's Trill, the first book of this series, when it was released. I have only read a handful of mysteries, but as an amateur violin player and lover of classical music, I was intrigued with the subject and had to read these books so centralized on an interest of mine. I love the character Jacobus, an older, blind and somewhat curmudgeon of a man, whose brutal honesty is refreshing to me. I cannot say whether the topic is too centralized on classical music and its terms, because that is exactly the reason why I liked these books so much.
As a new reader to mystery, early on ( by page 82 for sure) I had a strong suspicion of what the murder weapon was and who the murderer was, but that only made me read more feverishly to see if my theory was correct. Even though my hunch proved correct in the end, it didn't take away from all of the twists and turns that the story leads the reader on, and almost as importantly was left with the question of why. I enjoyed this book thoroughly and hope that Gerald Elias continues to write books about Jacobus and the world of classical music.

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

(3.5 stars) The second book in the Daniel Jacobus series has Daniel attending the retirement party of esteemed violinist Rene Allard. When Rene is brutally murdered outside the elevator near his apartment, Daniel, having been a frequent caller to the building aids the police in the questioning of the elevator operator who discovered the body and was quite distraught. A neighbor implicates Rene's former protege who is seen by the body covered in blood, and this seems like an easy case. Daniel respected Rene, but felt BTower (the protege) wasted his talent with his showmanship/commercial productions. BTower is convicted and sentenced. Daniel is asked by his defense attorney to help prove BTower's innocence, reminding Daniel of his own case of false accusation detailed in the first book of the series. Daniel, along with this friend Nathaniel begin unraveling a curious trail of evidence, involving violins, and the past of both Rene and BTower, finding that perception and reality may not mesh. In a race against time, they must find the truth, before it is too late for BTower or before someone else ends up dead. This is a clever mystery filled with musical influences.

[Bill H. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Decently constructed plot, with one ingenious clue discovered only by the distinguished violin teacher (and protagonist), Daniel Jacobus. A violin star, on the eve of his farewell concert, is found dead outside his apartment and a former student is convicted of the murder. Jacobus begins figuring, working against an impending execution date. While the real culprit won't be hard to pinpoint for many mystery fans, the timing, the how, and the why become of primary interest. While enjoyment of and interest in classical violin music (and the revered violins) are helpful, the mystery will appeal to those who like a good puzzle plot.

[Susan · Rating 3 out of 5]

When acclaimed violinist Rene Allard is murdered on the way home from his farewell concert, police have no trouble picking up his one-time protege, African American BTower, who was observed standing over Allard's body with bloodied hands. Now, a week before BTower's execution, blind violin teacher Daniel Jacobus is persuaded by BTower's attorney to try to find the real murderer. Jacobus finds many obstacles in his way, but he also finds unexpected help on his quest. This is the second book featuring the crochety, stubborn Jacobus. A delight for classical music lovers.

[Chrissy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved the mixing of the classical music and mystery worlds yet again in Danse Macabre! It was a wonderful page-turner, and it had a great structure. The story was also full of twists and turns, but I appreciated that Jacobus would often recap important events to help keep things on track.

There were several times that I was glad to be a musician because I think that helped me to understand the mystery a bit better, but I also think that Elias did a wonderful job describing the important musical terms so that anyone could understand his writing.

[Carlos · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was a delightful mix of the mystery book genre and the classical music scene. Having already enjoyed reading Elias’ the Devil’s Trill I wasn’t too surprised to find myself quickly immersed in the classic mystery-book plotline but I was fascinated to see how Elias manages to keep a thoroughly intense pace throughout the novel. This added even more to Elias’ already entertaining prose style and made this book a strong sequel to his Daniel Jacobus series.

[Tom · Rating 5 out of 5]

As one who still is a classical musician at heart, I really enjoyed this (and the music history that I didn't get in class). Have not read Murder Mystery per se in years. I now have the other three Gerald Elias books on order at the library. I learned about this book listening to Bill McLaughlin's "Exploring Music" so thank you, Bill, for the heads up! A good story...I recommend it, particularly to my friends with classical music in their blood! Enjoy!

[Tammy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great musician writes a great mystery

If you love music and love mysteries, then stop what you are doing right now and go out and get this book. A great yarn with interesting characters and fascinating glimpses into the professional music world. Gerald Elias know his subject (music, violin) as a professional musician retired from the Utah Symphony. He even throws in an entertaining scene in a Salt Lake City bar. Read this book...you won't regret it.

[Ruth · Rating 3 out of 5]

again, I liked the idea of the music world being involved in a murder mystery. Jacobus was not quite as vile and crude as he was in "The Devil's Trill" and the writing has definitely improved. However, there are some sexual descriptions and still the use of the f word, although lessened which still lead me to rate it between 3 and 4 stars

[Joanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Second in the series. So much about classical music in it - makes me want to study more about music. Would probably give it a 3.5.

Heard the author on NPR a few weeks ago. Interesting comments about the conflict between those who are purists re: classical music and those who try to make it more accessible.

[Rebecca McKinnon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Again, I enjoyed the author's insight into the music world. Can I just say, I love the crusty-on-the-outside protagonist. There are a lot of music teachers and musicians in general just like him. Some of them are on my list of favorite people....

[Kate · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had read this book previously but it proved to be worth a second reading. he one caveat I would state is that this author's books are more suited to those readers who have some good musical background, particularly in strings.

[Sally · Rating 4 out of 5]

This musician can compose some really good mysteries. There were a few improbably spots, but he kept the action moving, with a good plot and surprising characters.

[Michelle Bettencourt · Rating 3 out of 5]

Only worth reading if you have a deep appreciation for music. The characters are not very well developed, and the plot is pretty predictable.

[Jean · Rating 5 out of 5]

My music and former violinist background made me interested in this book. Fast paced mystery. Caught my interest from the first chapter.

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Even though I am not particularly musical I loved this well-written, riveting and engaging mystery.

[Cara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pretty good mystery. Too much profanity.

[Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a very engrossing tale that made me wish I understood classical music at some level and which I could appreciate it more.