Bradford Morrow Books

Pages of a weathered original sonata manuscript - the gift of a Czech immigrant living in Queens - come into the hands of Meta Taverner, a young musicologist whose concert piano career was cut short by an injury. The gift comes with the request that Meta find the manuscript's true owner - a Prague friend the old woman has not heard from since the Second World War forced them apart - and to make the three-part sonata whole again. Leaving New York behind for the land of Dvorák and Kafka, Meta sets out on an unforgettable search to locate the remaining movements of the sonata and uncover a story that has influenced the course of many lives, even as it becomes clear that she isn't the only one seeking the music's secrets.

Best friends, Kip Calder and Brice McCarthy are born on the same day in 1944 in Los Alamos, New Mexico, the most secret place on earth. Sons of men who work on the Manhattan Project, they play macabre games, tempting the fate that looms over their closed community. One night, runaways, they make a crazy pilgrimage to the desert chapel of Chimayo to eat the holy dirt and atone for the legacy that haunts their families and themselves. Their two lives spiral apart after this joyous, terrifying moment: in the sixties, as Brice becomes an antiwar activist, Kip disappears into Vietnam and ultimately into the covert war in Laos, leaving Brice to marry Jessica Rankin, the woman they both love. Then, twenty-five years later, Kip returns, a ghost soldier perhaps come to reclaim what was lost, and so threatens to shatter everything his old friend has built.

From critically acclaimed author Bradford Morrow comes a literary quest that spans from Nazi-occupied Prague to turn-of-the-millennium New York. The narrative centers on Meta Taverner, a young musicologist whose concert piano career was cut short by injury. In the early 2000s, she receives a worn manuscript of an eighteenth-century sonata from a Czech immigrant in Queens, who requests that Meta find the manuscript's true owner—a friend from Prague lost to the ravages of World War II. To Meta, the music is hauntingly beautiful and suggests the work of a master composer, yet the identity remains a mystery. Embarking on a journey to uncover the remaining movements of the sonata, Meta travels back to the land of Dvořák and Kafka, driven by the desire to make the three-part sonata whole again. As she delves deeper into the manuscript's history, it becomes evident that she is not the only one seeking its secrets. The novel masterfully weaves together decades of Prague's rich history, from the First World War through the Velvet Revolution, and explores the impact of music and war on individual lives. This epic yet intimate tale highlights how personal stories of love and sacrifice contribute to the broader symphony of life.

Set against a backdrop of intrigue, this mystery captivates with its splendid writing and compelling narrative. The plot unfolds with twists that keep readers engaged, showcasing the author's skill in crafting a gripping story. With a strong emphasis on character development and suspense, it promises to be an unforgettable read for mystery enthusiasts.

A brilliant and thrilling exploration of the passion that drives rare-book collectors to the razor-sharp edge of morality.

A mother experiences visions of a young girl's murder in this spellbinding story

A richly told literary thriller about the dark side of the rare book world.

Combining elements of gothic intrigue and detective fiction, this novel presents a captivating narrative filled with mystery and dark humor. The story weaves together themes of deception and artistry, featuring compelling characters who navigate a world of forgeries and secrets. With a unique blend of suspense and wit, the book invites readers to explore the fine line between reality and illusion, making it an engaging read for fans of both classic literature and modern thrillers.

The narrative follows a young woman's struggle to maintain her sanity while navigating the complexities of her troubled family life. As she faces various challenges, the story unfolds as a powerful allegory, exploring themes of mental health, resilience, and the impact of familial relationships. Through her journey, the book delves into the delicate balance between hope and despair, highlighting the profound effects of personal and familial turmoil on one's psyche.

Cristobel de Olid, a renegade soldier for Cortes, emerges from the woods 450 years later into the wilds of New York, where he is housed in an indoor prairie and slated to be sold to a wealthy gerontologist as the "oldest living man"