The Seven Symphonies: A Finnish Murder Mystery - Softcover

Boswell, Simon

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1591136520 ISBN 13: 9781591136521

Publisher: Booklocker.com, 2005

Synopsis

A serial killer stalks young musicians in Helsinki. Why does he appear to associate each attack with a symphony of the great Finnish composer, Jean Sibelius? This disturbing exploration of sexual obsession culminates in a compelling, suspenseful denouement.

About this title

From the Publisher

Previously published in Finland, June 2004, where it reached #4 in Finnish bestsellers list. Newly formatted International Edition released worldwide 10th February 2005.

From the Author

My original inspiration for writing this book was to combine two things that I love: the jigsaw-puzzle intricacies of the detective story and the creative grandeur of Sibelius's music. The concept of presenting fiction and non-fiction within the same volume is by no means new, but many would question the wisdom of incorporating a series of lectures on Jean Sibelius's life and music into an otherwise mainstream crime thriller. Of the dozen and a half people who generously read my draught manuscript two years ago, some complained that the lectures interfered with the plot line because what they most wanted was to find out whether Miranda would manage to catch the killer before he struck again or whether she would finally get together with Adrian; others insisted that the Sibelius lectures were an important and integral part of the reading experience and must on no account be omitted.

After reviewing this contradictory but valuable feedback from my reader guinea pigs, I decided to attempt a compromise. The lectures remain, but certain sections have been bracketed off as optional. The individual reader must judge whether this approach has been a success or failure.

Looking back, I see that one of the greatest challenges I set myself in the novel was the placing of a woman in the key role. For any man, understanding the workings of the female mind and the complexities of feminine emotional and sexual feelings is a notoriously difficult task. To my relief, most women readers have taken my character, DI Miranda Lewis, seriously and have even been able to identify with her to a certain extent. Nevertheless, I have to say that, for me — as I suspect for most of my fellow men — unravelling the mysteries of the female mind will remain a lifelong task.

About this edition

• Publisher: Booklocker.com
• Publication date: 2005
• ISBN 10: 1591136520
• ISBN 13: 9781591136521
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 460