Murder Ballad - Lucy Ribchester, Bonnier Books Ltd

'A beautiful sensory overload . . . I didn't want it to end.'&,nbsp,- Kirstin Innes, bestselling author of&,nbsp,Scabby QueenThree women. A deadly score to settle.EDINBURGH, 1791.&,nbsp,Isobel Duguid and her friend, the famous castrato Clessidro, are stars of the Edinburgh Musical Society. Despite her cavalier attitude towards holding a tune, Clessidro's friendship and her own&,nbsp,shocking murder ballads&,nbsp,keep Isobel on stage and enjoying an opulent lifestyle in Auld Reekie.Yet one night a note arrives from the mysterious Mrs Abercorn, regarding Isobel's most notorious song,&,nbsp,The Fiddler's Wrath.&,nbsp,It's the tale of a prima donna who died of heartbreak after her husband committed murder andwas sent to the gallows.&,nbsp,Isobel is intrigued.But Mrs Abercorn's curiosity is far more than a fickle interest and&,nbsp,the truth is more complicated than anyone could have imagined. As Isobel recounts rising through the social classes, her role in this ill-fated tune is brought to light, awakening the chilling retribution of a&,nbsp,once buried secret.A story of betrayal, mystery, and the secrets some would die to protect. Perfect for fans of&,nbsp,Patrick Süskind&,nbsp,Perfume and&,nbsp,Kate Foster's&,nbsp,The Maiden.'This&,nbsp,glorious romp through the filth, greed and duplicity of 18th century Edinburgh&,nbsp,is a feminist delight. Highly recommended.'&,nbsp,- Mary Paulson-Ellis'A&,nbsp,wildly original&,nbsp,and alarmingly readable historical novel whose&,nbsp,dark, blood-soaked narrative&,nbsp,takes us by surprise at every turn.'&,nbsp,- Andrew Taylor'Tales of opera singers and murderers, of cobbled streets and Old Town tenements, of audacious women and what can befall them.&,nbsp,The writing is sublime, I loved every word.'&,nbsp,- Elissa Soave