“The Strings of Murder” by Oscar de Muriel takes us to Edinburgh in November 1888, where a peculiar murder has Scotland Yard on edge. With Jack the Ripper terrorizing London’s streets, the last thing they need is a potential copycat in Scotland. The victim is a talented violinist, found dead in his locked room with several organs missing—including his heart, liver, and intestines. The only witness is a maid who reports hearing bone-chilling music before the discovery.
Enter Inspector Ian Frey, a refined London detective recently dismissed from Scotland Yard for political reasons. He’s offered a chance at redemption: solve this Scottish murder quickly and quietly before panic about a potential Ripper copycat spreads. However, his assignment comes with an unexpected twist—he must work with Detective Adolphus “Nine-Nails” McGray, an eccentric Scotsman who heads Edinburgh’s unusual department: ‘Commission for the Elucidation of Unsolved Cases Presumably Related to the Odd and Ghostly.’
The case takes a supernatural turn when they discover the murdered violinist owned an instrument allegedly crafted by the Devil himself. As more violin players become targets, Frey—a man who spends more time on his wardrobe than most spend sleeping—must work alongside the unorthodox McGray, who’s convinced there’s more to these murders than meets the eye. Their unlikely partnership is further strained by McGray’s insistence on calling the proper London detective “Lassie” and his determination to explore supernatural explanations that the rational Frey dismisses as nonsense.
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Oscar de Muriel’s The Strings of Murder is a delightfully dark historical mystery that blends supernatural elements with classic detective work in the atmospheric setting of 1888 Edinburgh. When a violinist is found brutally murdered in a locked room with missing organs and tales of haunting music, two unlikely detectives must solve the case before panic about a possible Jack the Ripper copycat spreads beyond London.
The heart of this novel lies in the brilliant dynamic between its main characters. Inspector Ian Frey, a proper London detective who probably spends more time choosing his wardrobe than solving cases, finds himself thrust into the harsh Scottish environment where he’s constantly referred to as “lassie.” His partner, Detective Adolphus “Nine-Nails” McGray, heads Edinburgh’s department for supernatural cases and couldn’t be more different from our London dandy. Their banter is consistently entertaining, though Frey’s stubborn personality can occasionally make you want to shake some sense into him—would it kill him to just listen and observe sometimes?
De Muriel’s attention to historical detail shines through in his vivid descriptions of 1800s Scottish towns, creating an immersive backdrop for this macabre tale. The author’s personal knowledge of violins adds fascinating layers to the mystery, educating readers about violin craftsmanship, historical curses, and folklore surrounding these instruments. These details never feel forced; instead, they weave naturally into the narrative, enriching both the plot and the reading experience.
While the case itself is well-constructed with its fair share of gore and justified motivations, the reveal of the culprit’s identity feels slightly disappointing. The mystery might have packed more punch if the murderer had been someone from the established cast of characters we’d grown to know throughout the story. However, this is a minor quibble in what is otherwise a thoroughly engaging read.
Reading this book reminded me of “Over My Dead Body” by Maz Evans, particularly in how it handles the clash of personalities between its detective duo. Frey and McGray’s constant friction provides a refreshing twist on the classic detective partnership.
If you enjoy atmospheric historical mysteries with a dash of the supernatural and don’t mind some gruesome details, The Strings of Murder offers a compelling read that will keep you guessing until the end. The unique blend of violin lore, Scottish history, and the odd-couple detective pairing makes this stand out in the crowded historical mystery genre.
About the Author
Oscar de Muriel was born in Mexico City in 1983 and moved to the UK to complete his PhD. He is a chemist, translator and violinist who now lives and works in Manchester. The Loch of the Dead is his fourth novel, following A Mask of Shadows, A Fever of the Blood and The Strings of Murder.
Rating: 4 Muse Points. This Scottish symphony hits all the right notes - though the ending could have strung us along better with a more familiar face as the killer!
