Paul Adam The Rainaldi Quartet

The Rainaldi Quartet

Paul Adam

Dunne, Feb 2006, $23.95, 320 pp.

ISBN 031235004X

In Italy, aging violin makers Castiglione and Rainaldi, Father Arrighi, and police detective Guastafeste, are players in a string quartet. The four men enjoy playing together as they respect one another, though they can be quite caustic with one another; still they try to make as much time available to practice and perform. Rainaldi tells his friends, especially Castiglione that he is on the trail of a great find, a priceless violin.

However, instead of the glory and euphoria of a great find, someone kills Rainaldi. Father Arrighi performs the funeral attended by the other two men of their musical group, as well as family and friends. Guastafeste investigates the homicide, though he knows he has a personal stake that should probably exclude him from looking into the murder that he believes is tied to the rare violin. Castiglione assists him as a violin maker expert, especially with his insight into construction. Clues soon lead the two men from their rural section of Italy to England, but uncovering the identity of the killing genius remains seemingly impossible, even as the duet makes progress towards their objective.

Though the whodunit is terrific, it plays base to the rich textured musical perspective. The storyline harmoniously blends the music with the murder mayhem, without slowing down or neglecting either. Castiglione and Guastafeste are a wonderful pair, who at times are quite cutting with each other, as they follow clues in an effort to uncover the culprit who changed their quartet to a trio. Paul Adam provides a virtuoso performance.