Bellweather rhapsody

"For its darkness and its glee, I loved this novel." Robin Sloan, author of Mr. Penumbras 24-Hour Bookstore Fifteen years ago, a murder/suicide in room 712 rocked the grand old Bellweather Hotel and the young bridesmaid who witnessed it.

Now hundreds of high school musicians, including quiet bassoonist Rabbit Hatmaker and his brassy diva twin, Alice, have gathered in its cavernous, crumbling halls for the annual Statewide festival; the grown-up bridesmaid has returned to face her demons; and a snowstorm is forecast that will trap everyone on the grounds.

Then one of the orchestras stars disappearsfrom room 712.

Is it a prank, or has murder struck the Bellweather once again?

The search for answers entwines a hilariously eccentric cast of charactersconductors and caretakers, failures and stars, teenagers on the verge and adults trapped in memories.

For everyone has come to the Bellweather with a secret, and everyone is haunted.

Full of knowing nods to the shivery pleasures of suspense and the transporting power of music, this is a wholly winning new novel from a writer lauded as charming (Los Angeles Times), witty (O, The OprahMagazine), and whimsical (People).