The Mussorgsky Riddle

I had no clue about Mussorgsky; thus, I am not familiar with his work. Moreover, I’m not a classical music expert. I know staccato has something to do with music, but not much else, for that reason, if it’s a great story and enriches my musical knowledge, I’m in.

The story relates the intricacies of Anthony’s inner world through Mussorgsky’s picture at an exhibition suite and a murder case. Therefore, it’s a mix of fantasy and mystery. The author recreates Anthony’s mind, witches, gnomes, music, and what’s going on in Charlotte city.

The Mussorgsky riddle is a well constructed story. It deals with what our minds perceive, but it’s difficult to explain using logic, through different angles as the psychic or the psychiatrist.

I didn’t like a particular character, but the picture at an exhibition altogether.

What has disappointed me? The characters went through a roller coaster of emotions, meanwhile; I didn’t. I love when I caught myself laughing, scared, etc., when I am reading. However, I learned about Mussorgsky music. I just wished I connected better with the characters’ emotions.

I liked the cover art, kudos to Polina Sapershteyn.

On GoodReads Darin Kennedy, author of The Mussorgsky Riddle suggested to listen to Pictures at an Exhibition whilst reading the book and I can only second that. It plays an immense role in the story and also it's a beautiful piece of music.

Mira, a psychic, is called to Anthony. Anthony has been suffering from autism his whole life but has now been even more secluded, not talking to anyone any more and he seems to be lost in his own mind. Mira gets send in to see if she can helped. She then appears as Scheherazade, the famous story teller, in the labyrinth that Anthony has created for himself. He's accompanied by the pieces of Pictures at an Exhibition, the music piece by Mussorgsky. As she travels between the different frames she tries to unravel what's keeping Anthony there. And what has this local missing girl to do with it?

It was definitely a unique read. I don't think I've read anything like it before. At the first level it is kind of a mystery, but the use of the music and all the fantasies that arose from it were truly different from the usual book. It was a very interesting read. I don't want to say too much to prevent spoilers, but I would recommend it.

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for providing me with a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!

REVIEW THE MUSSORGSKY RIDDLE

What an enchanting story!! Educational, absorbing, paranormal, classical, mythical--with soul-stirring, soul-consuming depths, THE MUSSORGSKY RIDDLE Is lyrical, empathetic, literary; and because of it, I developed an affinity for the classical music at its heart--specifically Mussorgsky' s PICTURES AT AN EXHIBITION, and its contemporary reprisal, Emerson, Lake, and Palmer' s version of it, also Mussorgsky' s NIGHT ON BALD MOUNTAIN. (Next, Grieg' s IN THE HALL OF THE MOUNTAIN KING.)

Empath Mira Tejador is summoned to Charlotte NC to psychically examine an adolescent named Anthony, a boy who possesses very high intelligence--and Asperger' s--but lately has retreated completely into his mind, refusing food or touch. Similar to Agent Pendergast' s "Memory Palace," Anthony s mind has constructed an art exhibition, initially based on Mussorgsky' s musical composition. But now Anthony is trapped within--and someone or something else is in control.