A gripping standalone thriller by the New York Times bestselling author of the Rizzoli & Isles seriesINTERNATIONAL THRILLER WRITERS AWARD FINALIST • NAMED ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR BY LOS ANGELES TIMES AND SUSPENSE MAGAZINE In a shadowy antiques shop in Rome, violinist Julia Ansdell happens upon a curious piece of music—the Incendio waltz—and is immediately entranced by its unusual … music—the Incendio waltz—and is immediately entranced by its unusual composition. Full of passion, torment, and chilling beauty, and seemingly unknown to the world, the waltz, its mournful minor key, its feverish arpeggios, appear to dance with a strange life of their own. Julia is determined to master the complex work and make its melody heard.
Back home in Boston, from the moment Julia’s bow moves across the strings, drawing the waltz’s fiery notes into the air, something strange is stirred—and Julia’s world comes under threat. The music has a terrifying and inexplicable effect on her young daughter, who seems violently transformed. Convinced that the hypnotic strains of Incendio are weaving a malevolent spell, Julia sets out to discover the man and the meaning behind the score.
Her quest beckons Julia to the ancient city of Venice, where she uncovers a dark, decades-old secret involving a dangerously powerful family that will stop at nothing to keep Julia from bringing the truth to light.
Praise for Playing with Fire
“Compelling . . . I defy you to read the first chapter and not singe your fingers reading the rest.”—David Baldacci
“One of the best and most original thrillers of the year.”—Providence Journal
“[A] novel brimming with emotion, literary description, and psychological suspense.”—The Huffington Post
“Will make readers drop everything to immerse themselves in its propulsive dual narrative.”—Los Angeles Times
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Loved this book. What you think is happening is magical, what is happening touches us all.
The characters were so real to me, I felt anxious for them.
Loved the book. Kept me wondering who the real culprit was.
Great read – blending modern day and World War II – really excellent.
Tess Gerritsen can write a book that makes you want to sit and read until you finish it. This book is no exception.
Good book but ending too rushed.
Great read
Since I read this book while in Venice, I found it very interesting and real.
A view of the plight of Italian jews during the onset of World War II. Never forget
This was a very great read.
Definitely one of the best books i have read lately, I usually rate books that I really enjoy, 4 as I believe that there is always something to improve, certainly as far as I myself go, but this is a definite 5 in my opinion. Impossible to put down. I found myself reading all the time, just to know what would happen.
A real surprise ending…what a novelty!
Miss Gerritson is one of my favorite authors and I enjoyed this book!
It was unexpected, the story line. A great book, just like Tess always writes
At first I thought it was going to be another “evil child” story. But it wasn’t and wow did the story ever pick up ! I couldn’t put it down !
Great read!
Loved it, didn’t want to put it down
Quite a different book from Tess Garrison. I am a fan of Rizzoli and Isles stories.
This was an enjoyable read too.
I couldn’t put this book down! I was a bit doubtful when I realized the story was built around music, but I never should have doubted this writer. I loved both the modern-day and bygone-era tales, and would have loved to read twice as much.
Loved it