Death and the Maiden by Frank Tallis

The star soprano of the Court Opera, Ida Rosenkrantz, is found dead in her villa of an overdose of laudenam. Was it accident or suicide? The post mortem reveals evidence that could point to murder. The singer had been courted by many wealthy and powerful men could her death have been contrived to avoid a public scandal? Tasked with bringing the case to a swift and quiet conclusion Detective Inspector Oskar Rheinhardt calls on his friend Dr Max Liebermann for help. Their trail leads them to Gustav Mahler the controversial director of the State Opera House and to the equally controversial Mayor of Vienna Karl Lueger. Then there is the well-connected psychiatrist Professor Sominsky and the Lord Marshall whose office oversees security for the Emperor Franz-Josef. All these men were involved with Ida at one time or another and none could face a scandal and survive with their career intact. Did one of them have her removed from the scene? Rheinhardt's superiors want him to close the case and it appears that more than just his career would be at stake if he proves obstinate. Frank Tallis has given us another episode of drama in old Vienna but is it the last? At the end of the book Liebermann and Rheinhardt are discussing the possibilities of re-location to London! Of Course Dr Liebermann could set himself up in a medical practice in England but Rheinhardt of Scotland Yard! Somehow I do not think so.