Um, can I please read a whole series of lesbian musician mysteries? Because this was GORGEOUS! I gobbled this up all in one night. I love when a mystery can actually surprise me, and this one was able to on multiple levels—all while teaching me about this whole other world I know nothing about from the perspective of the musicians!

I couldn't get into this. Calling colleagues 'Boobs', 'Teeth' and 'Nose' after their cosmetic alterations? Yikes.

Author Erin Kaste wrote a memorable, mature tale of love and music. I was totally engrossed by all the orchestra related details. This is probably a turn off for other readers who expected more of 100% work place mystery. But I thoroughly enjoyed it!

Thank you to Bold Strokes Books, Inc. | BSB genre and NetGalley for providing an eARC for a honest review.

This mystery is on the suspenseful side of “cozy” and was very enjoyable. Kirsten is a musician and the librarian for a professional orchestra. This was a very entertaining backdrop for a murder mystery. I like the (queer) relationship building in the story. There’s decent representation, including a character who experiences periodic, debilitating depression. The ending is a little pat, but it’s a good ride nonetheless. CW: mild gore, violence.

I think my expectations for this book were set incorrectly. I was expecting an exciting murder mystery, but instead, I was completely overwhelmed by the abundance of orchestra details. I felt detached from the characters and the story itself. There were so many details that seemed unnecessary, making everything drag on. If this book had gripped me from chapter one, it would have been a completely different reading experience.

Sadly, this one wasn’t for me.

I enjoyed the book but it was heavy on teaching about what an orchestra librarian does. There was a lot of detail that wasn’t needed - and tbh I’m still not sure!
Having said that I liked all 3 MC - but don’t think any pairing fitted together. The murder mystery was a bit odd… it sounds like I didn’t like the book but I did. It was just a bit of a mash up

This was a difficult read.
It started out very interesting. I learned all about what goes on behind the scenes of a Symphony Orchestra. But then it became very repetitive. And the story did not advance. It was just more and more about marking up sheet music, making copies, worrying about late musicians. And I was only 30% into it. Oh no.
I thought this was going to be a murder mystery. The murders do occur but they were more of an inconvenience to me, rather than a sadness. They were only slightly known characters. I felt no emotion. After each murder there are pages and pages on how to mend the gap in the Orchestra lineup. Who will take their place, more sheet music markups and copies.
The writing is good, there is a romance, some hugs and kisses but no sex scenes.
There are two action scenes that helped a little but then we are back to auditions, practicing, gathering sheet music etc.
The ending is a bit uburpt. I turned the page assuming there would be a epilogue. Nope, just done.
When I read the bio for the author I was not surprised that she began violin lessons at 4. And that she is the personnel manager for a symphony Orchestra. She is Kirsten or Stephanie in the story. And she obviously loves this life.
I was given this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

What a great story about a music librarian who gains the attention of a murderer. Not being a musician it did take me a little while to understand Kirsten’s role but it didn’t detract from my enjoyment of.
This is a really good murder mystery - I read a lot of them and can usually pick out the ‘baddie’ 80-90% of the time but this one certainly took me by surprise!! Add in a caste of great characters and a ‘love triangle’ of sorts and you have a wonderful read.
Thanks to Bold Strokes Books for the ARC. This is my honest opinion.

2 stars and my thanks to Netgalley and the Publisher for the eARC.

What's the feeling when you pick a book to read that you think you're going to love (love triangle, murder mystery, music) but it ends up being so boring you skip so much of the book to see if things pick up?

I really wish I could have gotten into this.

This is really boring for a murder mystery. The three main women do almost nothing and then magically solve it right at the last moment. Most of the book is just the boring ins and outs of the FMC's job as orchestra librarian, with a few moments of drama sprinkled in. The romantic subplots were uninspired and I didn't care about the love triangle. I'm always for LGBTQ rep, but I wish they'd all just stayed friends. The killer reveal and ending were so anticlimactic.

This story follows Kirsten Lindquist, the librarian for an orchestra, as a serial killer begins to target her colleagues. The book also has a strong romance element, with Kirsten finding herself in the middle of a love triangle.
I enjoyed reading this book. At first I was unsure about Shay Bradley as a love interest but I did come around to her as a character, and found myself rooting for her and Kirsten. Shay’s struggle with her mental health throughout the book showed a realistic portrayal of how mental illness can affect people’s lives.
The mystery of the murders kept me guessing throughout the book, and I was not able to predict the ending. The musical terminology was explained well and I was able to follow along as someone with no prior knowledge on the subject.
Thank you to Net Galley for the ARC of this book. I would recommend this story to others.

In *Foul Play*, Erin Kaste crafts a compelling mystery set within the unique world of an orchestral music ensemble. The story follows Kirsten Lindquist, an orchestral music librarian, who finds herself caught up in a series of suspicious deaths and accidents among the orchestra’s musicians. While she juggles her professional duties and the constant flirtation of substitute horn player Shay Bradley, a series of tragic events forces Kirsten to team up with the orchestra’s new personnel manager, Stephanie Wellford. The evolving tension between the three women adds depth to the plot, as they work together to unravel the mystery of the deaths, despite personal and emotional conflicts brewing under the surface.

Kaste excels in blending elements of suspense, romance, and character development. The relationships between Kirsten, Shay, and Stephanie feel authentic and complex, especially as they each navigate their personal struggles. The backdrop of the orchestra adds a unique twist, grounding the mystery in a world of music, performance, and artistic tension. As the stakes rise and the danger becomes more palpable, the bond between the women strengthens, making for an engaging read that keeps readers on the edge of their seats. *Foul Play* is a thrilling ride through intrigue and personal dynamics, ensuring its place as a must-read for fans of contemporary mystery and romance.

Kristen, Shay and Stephanie are all acquainted at the Orchestra, when a series of deaths and accidents rock the facility, striking close to each of them. The three think foul play is afoot, and begin looking into it...
Kristen us our main POV character, and the main amateur investigator. As the story continues there are romantic subplots too, for the romance readers.
The music terminology that comes up is mostly examined, or clear via usage. It's interesting how much licensing and fees the orchestra has to deal with... it makes sense, but I wasn't aware of it..
I actually felt bad for the villain. No spoilers, but yeah. Also.. I didn't like who the heroine ended up with, oddly enough. I think the other suitor was better for her. Your opinion may vary...

Pretty good story. The details about the orchestra and what goes on in that world was really interesting, but it became a bit boring after a while. The romance was ok , but there was not enough of it in this book to call this a romance. I would definitely put the book in speculative category, because of the twists and turns it had throughout, and also I would categorize this as a mystery or suspense book. All and all this was a good book. I would recommend this to my friends, and anyone who loves a good mystery. I look forward to what's next from this author.

This is not what I expected. The story was slow paced and I was not fully invested. Either way I did complete the story. I would recommend as it might appeal to someone else.


Thank you Bold Strokes Books and NetGalley.

[English/Español]

Thanks to the author and Netgalley for the arc of this book.
This books starts really good, i was very into the plot of this crime story, sadly i never got feel connected with the characters maybe because we never get to really know them.
I feel like this book is totally for someone who is into music/orchestra given how much of this topic is talked thru the book.
I would love if the final reveal was more shocking.

Gracias al autor y a Netgalley por la copia avanzada del libro.
Este libro comienza muy bien, la trama me parecía muy interesante con el tema del crimen, lamentablemente nunca pude conectar con los personajes, siento que no llegamos a conocerlos realmente.
El libro es para alguien que está muy interesado en la música/orquesta dado a lo mucho que se ve el tema durante el libro.
Me hubiera encantado que la revelación final tuviera un mayor impacto.

Overall: ⭐⭐⭐ / 5
Spice: 0.🌶️ / 5

For fans of plot-driven character studies of flawed, realistic humans. Foul Play is a sapphic romance wrapped in a mystery subplot. It follows the experiences of symphony librarian Kirsten Lindquist and is told entirely from her point of view. And there’s no need to worry–if you have no idea what a librarian does for a symphony, or how a symphony otherwise runs, you’ll find plenty of detail to keep you informed. This style of storytelling reminded me of Dick Francis, who explores topics in depth and makes the extent of his research clear on the page.

Kaste’s writing is deeply introspective and personal, which also means it can, at times, be difficult to follow. And, for a story in which so much happened, it moved slowly. There were humorous moments in Kirsten’s relatable awkwardness and aversion to people, heartfelt ones when she was vulnerable, and smile-inducing ones when she found something to be happy about. The emotional exploration of her relationships to those around her was profound in spots, particularly when she got out of her head enough to be in the moment.

This story isn’t a pure romance (and it’s very much closed door, though there are mentions of salacious deeds), but it’s also not a pure mystery. And, though I am very much a mystery/thriller lover, I found that plot line to be a bit predictable and unsatisfying in its conclusion. Though fully resolved by the end of the story, it felt anticlimactic overall.

Overall, Foul Play is thoughtfully and carefully written. I’d recommend it for those who enjoy a mix of romance with their mystery, and who prefer explorations of character and emotional development.

📚 Fast facts📚
✨ Mental health rep
✨ Slow-paced
✨ Emotional
✨ Romantic mystery
✨ Single
✨ First person
✨ Past tense
✨ Sapphic
✨ Closed door

I am grateful to Erin Kaste, Bold Strokes Books, and NetGalley to have received an ARC of this story. This is my honest and unbiased review.

My first book by Erin Kaste had me on the edge of my seat with this romantic suspense.
This has a little bit of a love triangle, fade to black love scenes, and a touch of angst midway through the book. I appreciated how the resolution was done. The MCs were butch/femme, told in the first POV. The mystery kept me intrigued until the end.
The off the page MChas bi-polar untreated, the way the author addressed it was done well. It wasn't sugarcoated.
The cast of characters was a fun mix. It was a wonderful look into the symphony.
I will continue to follow this author and look forward to more books in the future.

Erin Kaste’s Foul Play presents itself as a murder mystery but leans heavily into romance, making it a mixed experience for mystery purists. While the central crime provides an intriguing backdrop, much of the narrative focuses on relationships, flirtations, and romantic entanglements rather than a gripping investigative journey.

The novel follows the protagonist as they navigate both danger and desire, often prioritizing personal connections over unraveling the crime. That being said, Kaste ensures that the murder plot remains present throughout, eventually bringing the story back to the mystery and its resolution. The pacing might feel uneven for readers expecting a tightly woven whodunit, but those who enjoy a blend of suspense and romance may find the novel engaging.

Overall, Foul Play offers a light mystery with a strong romantic subplot. While it may not satisfy die-hard fans of the genre, it succeeds in creating tension, intrigue, and emotional depth. Readers looking for a balance between crime and romance will likely appreciate its unique approach.

Kirsten Lindquist is an orchestral music librarian. I’ve never read a book about a character with that job before. The story focuses on the musicians and workers at a local orchestra. When accidents start happening to some musicians and more then one ends up dead, Kristen wants to figure out why. Helpful to her is Tonya the tv reporter she recently broke up with, Shay the womanizer who always hits on Kirsten and Stephanie who is the manager of the orchestra.

There are a lot of twists in the plot and a lot of characters introduced in the beginning. But it is easy to quickly sort them out. I found I wasn’t invested much in the romance between Shay and Kirsten. I did like Shay’s backstory and was glad to see her get some happiness. I did like the orchestra setting but it was very detailed and may be too much for some.