D. R. Ransdell

Getting accepted into an orchestra isn’t easy, and Andy knew it.

Andy did get accepted, but it seems like it was doomed from the beginning.

He had to stand in and do solos when the concertmaster, Liza, abruptly left, when she couldn't be found, and when she was thought to have murdered a board member.

He also catches the orchestra leader as his podium crashes to the ground. What is going on?

The worst thing is that Andy is asked by Moraes the orchestra leader to go to the Netherlands and look for the concertmaster and be a guest in an orchestra. It was a piece he didn't know how to play.

He didn't want to go, but did anyway. A trip to Europe was never in his plans so this would be good especially since he took his girlfriend who willing went.

We follow Andy as he looks for Liza, gets into trouble, solves the mystery, and still gets to play his violin.

I enjoyed Andy’s antics and his troubles.

This book was light, enjoyable, and actually comical, but it did drag a bit at the end.

Violinists and music fans will definitely enjoy SUBSTITUTE SOLOIST. 4/5

This book was given to me by the author in exchange for an honest review.… (más)

The story follows mariachi musician Andy Veracruz on a well-paced mystery / adventure as he investigates murders that all point to his boss' seductive wife. Andy is the quintessential average "Joe" who suddenly finds himself swept into a world of intrigue, forced to distinguish outright lies from half-truths at every twist and turn.

Ransdell skillfully weaves in anecdotes and opens windows into the world of the mariachi, which is more complex than one could at first guess. She does this without interrupting the story progression even while she introduces lovable characters that help drive the plot.

I had trouble putting it down and often picked it up for "a few moments" to find I had lost all track of time. What a treat! This book is a solid four star effort by an author with a strong voice and clear understanding of her craft.… (más)