The Devil’s Music by Pearl R. Meaker

Book 1 of the Emory Crawford Mysteries

Genre: Cozy Mystery
Rating **** (4 of 5 stars)

Synopsis from Goodreads:
When an acclaimed scholar and musician is found murdered on the Twombly College campus where her husband teaches chemistry and is a forensic scientist, Emory Crawford decides she can help. She’s a professor’s wife, not an official. People will talk to her. So she heads out with her knitting tote and emerges as the most inquisitive, persistent and clever amateur detective since Miss Marple.

***I was provided with a free copy of this book by the author in exchange for an honest review***

The Devil’s Music was a quick, easy read at only 218 pages, but also an enjoyable one. The story is sprinkled with plant lore as well as bluegrass and folk music tidbits that add interest to the story. I would suggest not reading this book on an empty stomach, however, as the descriptions of all of the delicious sounding food served at various functions are sure to leave you hungry!

The Sleuth, Emory Crawford, is a likable protagonist. Even though she aspires to be a young Miss Marple, she has her faults, and they add to her charm. Her occasional fumbling around after clues makes her seem all the more genuine. I did appreciate the fact that she wasn’t all-knowing despite the “gift” that she realizes she has part of the way through the story. She still had to rely on her wits and ability to make logical deductions, not solely on her intuition.

Overall, a nice start to a new cozy mystery series. I look forward to more of Emory in October, when the next book in the series, The Devil’s Hook, will be available.