I can honestly say I am conflicted with this read. Perhaps I needed to read the first book the author wrote, but I felt a bit jumbled around. The plot moved around a lot, without a lot of connection. I struggled to find the true direction of the story. Was it the soy ring, the artifacts, or the live story. Only one resolved at the end
The characters were interesting, the book was clean, which I appreciate. It just didn't hold my attention or keep the history flowing for me.

3.5 stars
I wanted to like this book, and I did end up enjoying it. However, I was a bit confused while reading the book, and it made it hard to understand and get into the book. But I did end up liking it by the time I got to the end of the story. There are still a couple of things that I think I missed but otherwise it was really good. The Mozart Code is my first book by Rachel McMillan, and it was really fascinating and thought provoking.
I picked up this book because I thought that it would be interesting, and it definitely met that expectation. The characters were very unique and it was intriguing to read from their perspectives and see things from their eyes.
Sophia and Simon were drawn together because of a marriage of convenience. They were both using their marriage to help themselves avoid situations. They never expected to be anything more than friends. However, as the secrets of their work are drawn to light, things become more complicated than they expected. They were both playing games that could lead to someone getting hurt. They were working a thin tightrope together between friendship and love all the while trying to complete tasks secretly.
I liked Sophia and Simon. They had a flair and a secrecy to them. It was cool to read about Simon’s connection to chess and how it affected his view of life. And how Sophia loved music and the way her mind could see the music. They were both trying to do good in their own ways. He worked for the government while she tried to return artifacts to their rightful owners. I liked the chemistry between the characters, and I could definitely see how well they fit each other. It was a bit frustrating to see them dancing in circles around each other, but at the same time, I understood them. They were both afraid of different things, and it affected their ability to love each other.
The storyline was engaging, but I really didn’t know what was going on til at least half way through the book. It made it harder for me to read, and I kept on having to take breaks. I did enjoy the book by the end of it, but it was harder for me to understand. I felt as if I was missing a lot of things. All in all, this was a good book. I would recommend The Mozart Code to those who enjoy historical fiction that stimulates your mind a bit to think.

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the publisher through Netgalley. All views expressed are only my honest opinion, a positive review was not required.

I was less invested in the "spy" part of this story than the interesting dynamics between a married-for-convenience couple, but alas, the "spy" part of the story took up a heavy amount of page time and simply wasn't very interesting to me.

The Mozart Code is a multilayered book that offers several different themes that may appeal to a range of readers. On the one hand, there is espionage in early Cold War Europe, featuring double agents, chess, and lost relics in the worlds of art and music. On the other hand, there’s a slow-build romance and a marriage of convenience, set against the hazy backdrops of Vienna and Prague.

Simon Barrington works to stop the Cold War, while Sophie Huntington-Villiers (secretly his wife) works to uncover artifacts for rich and powerful men. Amidst their respective missions, Simon and Sophie also have a simmering romance, one that started a decade ago in England. Despite their marriage certificate, there has been no real love between them, but the chemistry is there. Simon’s love for Sophie is emerging, but will it scare her off? How will their evolving relationship impact their job in halting the Cold War?

Truth be told, I’m not generally one for war stories, including the Cold War. I also have little familiarity with anything involving espionage and hunting down artifacts or double agents. For the first few chapters of The Mozart Code, I was a bit confused about what precisely Simon and Sophie were each doing, who they were talking to, and why. I supposed there’s a learning curve when it comes to spy novels, and I’m a hopeless beginner. However, if you often read books (or watch movies or shows) with these themes, you may be better equipped to understand and fully enjoy this novel.

In spite of my own confusion, though, I actually quite enjoyed The Mozart Code. For me, it was the other elements that really lifted up the story.

First, I loved the musical aspect of the novel. Sophie is a skilled pianist with a particular affinity for Mozart. She has poured her love into the music she plays, a safer place for her than romantic relationships. It is Sophie’s love of Mozart that pushes her to take on the task of finding the late composer’s death mask, if it even exists. The Mozart theme also plays out in how we view the two cities in which the novel is primarily set: both Prague and Vienna were homes to Mozart during his life, a fact both cities are proud of.

This leads to another aspect that shines in The Mozart Code: the settings. I love Europe, and though I haven’t yet been to Austria or Czech Republic, both are high on my bucket list. With this novel, readers get a glimpse of Vienna and Prague, though not in a touristic sense. Rather, we see both in a hazier, more mysterious light, steeped in darkness and secrets. Rachel McMillan paints a foggy yet intriguing picture of these two backdrops. She also infuses a sense of how musical these two cities are and how they each claim Mozart as their own.

Beyond music, The Mozart Code also plays out like a sort of chess game, bringing to life Simon’s passion and his interactions with a mysterious letter writer. If you’re like me and are no expert in chess, fear not. While there are specifics about chess moves, you can enjoy the novel equally without deep knowledge of the game.

Of course, one of the highlights of The Mozart Code – and, indeed, the second main storyline apart from the espionage – is the relationship between Simon and Sophie. They’ve been married for several years by this point, but it’s a marriage in name only. Eventually the reason behind their decision to wed is revealed, but it was for convenience only. Well, maybe not entirely on Simon’s end. He seems to have loved Sophie forever, but she doesn’t quite reciprocate his feelings or is too afraid to act on them.

Throughout the novel, their relationship slowly deepens, true feelings getting out and passions finally rising. This is clean romance, so no open-door scenes, but their relationship still feels compelling. It doesn’t offer the grand finale I would normally hope for, and there was a certain scene I’d expected that never came to fruition, but even so, I enjoyed their romantic arc. It’s a slow moving love story, and I liked getting to know Simon and Sophie, especially with the looks back on their younger selves in England.

Simon’s personal history – and the secret surrounding his parentage – also gets particular attention here. There are some exciting revelations and action-packed scenes near the end, but there is also some tragedy mixed in. It culminates in a soft close.

One final note I have about The Mozart Code is about its classification as Christian Fiction. As an atheist myself, it’s a genre I normally avoid, so I went into this novel with some caution. However, I was pleased to find that it was not overtly religious in the least. According to the acknowledgements at the end, apparently the story is a loose retelling of, or inspired by, a particular Bible verse. But as I have not read the Bible, any religious overtones went right over my head. If you’re religious, you may find extra meaning in The Mozart Code. But if you’re nonreligious, like me, it’s still an enjoyable read without anything heavy-handed or preachy.

The Mozart Code is a shadowy and intriguing novel of love and espionage. Mozart, his death mask, and his Messiah composition are at the epicenter of the story, and the novel is filled out with Cold War politics, a bit of action, a game of chess, and a slowly blooming romance. If you like spy novels, European cities, or a different kind of historical romance, this is a book you’ll want once it’s out on March 15, 2022.

The Mozart Code is a plot-driven story featuring espionage in post-WWII Europe.

1938. Lady Sophia is worth a fortune with her father’s estate of Ashton. She craves independence, which she gets through her marriage of convenience to Simon and in the process saving his estate.

1946. They work as a team in postwar Vienna, uncovering the world of relics stolen during the war. He secretly has been in love with Sophia and hopes that their work might bring them closer.

The story builds up slowly with their backgrounds and snippets of history. The first book – London Restoration – was character-driven, which I prefer. I wished this book had more developed characters.

Nevertheless, if you enjoy plot-driven stories full of intrigue and romance, it is skillfully woven with complex plot flowing effortlessly.

After reading The London Restoration and meeting the character Simon Barre, I could not wait to get my hands on this book to learn more about his relationship with Sophie Villers. Especially when I learned their relationship included a marriage of convenience. I LOVE a good marriage of convenience story. That alone might have been enough to satisfy me. But wow, add in the backdrop of a post-World War II Vienna and Prague filled with mysterious assignments and spy rings as the Cold War begins to mount, and this story suddenly took on a whole new level of complexity. I’m always in it for the romance, but the cultural and historical setting of this book added a richness that challenged me to slow down as a reader and savor the details of such a beautifully crafted story world. I think it's safe to say I have never enjoyed secondhand smoke more in all my life than when I spent time with Simon on these pages.

"The Mozart Code" by Rachel McMillan is a compelling read featuring espionage, music, chess and romance. Set after World War II, a period in history with which I am unfamiliar, the book's events primarily take place in Vienna and Prague.

Rich in historical detail, "The Mozart Code" is a complex novel with a fascinating cast of well-developed characters. Sophia Huntington Villiers and Simon Barrington are long-time friends; their banter is clever and witty. Indeed, all the players here are incredibly intelligent.

The visual imagery is stunning. McMillan's prose is crisp and evocative. This book is clean. However, there are murders, both on and off screen, and some torture. This features spies and they play for keeps, after all! While I enjoy it, my understanding of classical music is sadly lacking. Chess is an absorbing game, but again, playing by correspondence is beyond my ability.

I've not read "The London Restoration" and this fact did not diminish my understanding of this book. Rachel McMillan is a new author for me and I will read other historical romances penned by her.

Thanks to NetGalley and Thomas Nelson Fiction for an ARC of this intriguing novel.

This was an enjoyable read with lots of intrigue, history, music and chess, all woven through with two characters who are obviously meant to be together forever but who resist that idea at every turn. Rachel McMillan is a skilled world-builder and storyteller!

Thanks to NetGalley and to the publisher for the opportunity to read an advance e-copy.

Thank you Net Galley for an ARC of The Mozart Code by Rachel McMillan. The intrigue, the music, and the characters draw you in to this story and don't want to let go! After WW2, there were so many spy networks (official and unofficial) throughout Europe and that is the basis for the plot of the book. This book is set in England, Vienna and Prague as the countries were trying to recover from the War. Sophie and Simon worked at Bletchley Park during the War and continued their relationship afterwards. Each has their own secrets that get revealed as the story progresses. The author did her research! I loved all the references to musical pieces that I had to stop reading and play the music. I would have liked some maps as the author described the characters walking or traveling so I also had to stop reading and do a map search to get a handle on distances, etc. Don't want to give away spoilers because I really enjoyed how the espionage played out and interesting characters were developed throughout the story. For everyone that enjoys this era of HF and spy novels, this is the book for you. Enjoy!
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

The Mozart Code by Rachel McMillan was an intriguing read set in post WW2 Vienna. Sophie is in Vienna helping to restore artifacts stolen by the Nazis and Simon is trying to find information on Eternity to prevent a Communist takeover. The pair are secretly married and have been best friends for a long time. The marriage; however, was to save Simon's estate and they have been living apart for the whole of their marriage. The story is of the two learning to express their love to each other and find their way together.

The author paints beautiful scenes and her descriptions are powerful and evocative. I sometimes had trouble with following all the specific details of the plot as I am very unfamiliar with Vienna and the time period. Most of the conversations between Sophie and Simon were beautifully crafted and full of emotion, but there were several incidents in the book where I had to reread their conversations due to confusion. Often they would completely change the subject of the conversation on a dime and it didn't always make sense to me. I think the author meant to show how well the two knew each other, but for me, it didn't always flow well. I also didn't quite buy into the whole "we promised to never tell each other we love each other" trope- I think, over the course of the war, Sophie would have matured past those young insecurities and fears.

Even with these misgivings and difficulties, it was an enjoyable read. The author is skilled in evoking emotion and describing plot, so I wouldn't hesitate to recommend giving it a try!

I received a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

The Mozart Code by Rachel McMillan is a stunning historical fiction that kept me enthralled and wowed from beginning to end.

This book is just so beautiful, so intricate, so poetic…I am not sure if any review can truly do it justice.

The author has been able to take the dark, unstable, haunting, and wounded locations within Europe…post WWII and current Cold War timeframe and balanced it perfectly with the passion, heart, hope, promise, and romance of art, music, and human desire for love, trust, forgiveness, and acceptance.

There was history, intrigue, mystery, suspense, romance, and a gripping narrative that gave me a full gambit of emotions.

The fantastic relationship and the individual characters associated: Simon and Sophia…wow. Each have their own worries, fears, history, secrets, hopes, dreams, and flaws. Both bring something different and equally important to the relationship and story. The changes…the progression…the unveilings…it is nothing short of beauty.

I loved last year’s The London Restoration, but this newest effort from Ms. McMillan has just blown me away.

One of my new favorite authors. I highly recommend this one.

5/5 stars

Thank you NG and Thomas Nelson for this wonderful arc and in return I am submitting my unbiased and voluntary review and opinion.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

I am posting this review to my GR and Bookbub accounts immediately and will post it to my Amazon, Instagram, and B&N accounts upon publication on 3/15/22.

THE MOZART CODE by RACHEL McMILLAN is a very well written story which takes place from 1946 between Vienna and Prague during the Cold War, with flashbacks to war years in Britain where Simon Barrister first meets Sophie Villiers. Theirs is a beautiful but unusual romance, fraught with danger as Simon works under Marcus Brighton for the British Secret Intelligence Service, looking for double agents in war torn Vienna, and Sophie, whose code name is Starling, is employed by various rather shady people to look for valuable artifacts that disappeared during the war. Vienna has been badly damaged and is now divided between four countries, who all have their own ideas how it should be rebuilt. There is a great deal of intrigue in this once beautiful city which has now become known as “the city of spies”, and where it is hard to know who to trust.
It is a story in which chess and music, loyalty and love, and the source of true riches, play a big part.
This is a historical novel which will grip you from the start and not let go. The setting is so authentic and the character studies so well done, that I found it an exceptional read and it is one I highly recommend.
I was given a free copy of the book by NetGalley from Thomas Nelson. The opinions in this review are completely my own.