The Seven Symphonies
Simon Boswell
(Reviewer - Rebecca Brown)
2004 Booklocker.com
ISBN: 1591136520

A Finnish Murder Mystery. A psychological crime thriller with unique links to the music of Jean Sibelius.

A serial killer is attacking young female musicians in Helsinki, leaving clues that connect with each of the symphonies of Finland's greatest composer. The first murder occurs at the composer's monument in Sibelius Park.

The Seven Symphonies has an unusual layout, having ‘symphonies’ & ‘movements’, rather than ‘chapters’, matching the sequence of the seven Sibelius symphonies with appropriate keys (E minor, D major, etc.) & tempo markings (Andante, ma non troppo; Allegro energico; etc).

There is also an 8th Symphony with a murder that fails to materialize —- as did Sibelius' symphony, & a short epilogue entitled ‘Tapiola’ -- Sibelius' final orchestral masterpiece -- in which the last details of the plot are revealed.

The Seven Symphonies employs a unique component -- within the story line, following each murder is a ‘lecture’ about Sibelius & the correspondingly symphony. These are given at the Sibelius Music Academy by the Welsh musicologist & father of the central character: Detective Inspector Miranda Lewis (who is Finnish born, in spite of her name).

A key concept throughout & especially towards the end, where we enter the mind of the killer, is the dangerous, potentially corrupting power of the male sex-drive; &, to some extent, the differences between the male & female sex-drives. Also explored are the moral questions of guilt & accountability.

It really helped to set the mood by listening to the Master's music while reading! Rather heavy on the language, yet overall when you've finished The Seven Symphonies you'll know a lot about Sibelius, his music & Finland, as well as what makes a killer tick, if not what makes the heart love.

Do check out Simon Boswell's fascinating website: www.SevenSymphonies.com
(05/08/05)

Rebecca