" We had no choice. But it was a bad way for them to die ." When music researcher Phineas Fox is asked to verify the contents of an old scrapbook, rescued from the site of the historic Chopin Library in Warsaw, he is initially sceptical. But he soon discovers an intriguing link between the Library and an infamous piece of music known as the Dark Cadence. Legend has it that the Dark Cadence was only performed during a traitor's execution - and it has never been written down. It is believed to have last been played on the night the Chopin Library was destroyed during the Nazi occupation of World War II. What really happened that terrible night in October, 1944? What is the connection to an equally dreadful night in Russia in 1918, the night the Tsar and his family were executed? And what are the repercussions for the present .? "Beautifully written, with a strong protagonist and very cleverly constructed stories" Booklist Starred Review "An intricate tale of music, love, betrayal, and self-sacrifice .

Fans of intelligent historical mysteries will be rewarded" Publishers Weekly "Rayne writes with panache and imagination . A chocolate box of classical music, banter, historic tidbits, and spooky stories" Kirkus Reviews.