Murder in G Major: A Gethsemane Brown Mystery

Dr. Gethsemane Brown, the engaging heroine of Gordon’s appealing first novel and series launch, leaves everything behind in Dallas to accept the assistant conductor position of the Cork Philharmonic, only to learn on arrival in Ireland that she has lost the job to the music director’s mistress. Unwilling to return home after such a letdown, Gethsemane accepts a teaching post at St. Brennan’s School for Boys in rainy Dunmullach. Gethsemane is pleased to find lodging at Carraigfaire Cottage, the former home of one of her favorite composers, Eamon McCarthy, though she’s unsettled to discover that his loquacious and sardonic ghost haunts the place. Eamon won’t let Gethsemane rest until his name is cleared of the murder of his wife, 25 years earlier. Meanwhile, Gethsemane takes on the challenge of preparing the St. Brennan’s orchestra, whose performance has been sub-peak, for the All-County School Orchestra competition. This refreshing, humorous cozy, notable for its African-American protagonist in a subgenre featuring few persons of color, will leave readers eagerly anticipating the sequel. (Sept.)