Great Books—Thriller Books—Mystery Stories

This is the third Harry Grouch novel I've read and it is certainly the most complex and fascinating.It shifts between the 17th and 20th centuries with ease. In this mystery Tell takes the reader on an interesting and well written journey to different locations as well as educates them on 17th century Italian music and musicians. Once I got into this book it was hard to put down! The author moves the plot along quickly but then again there are numerous twists and turns. Having recently vacationed in both Italy and (strangely enough) in the State of Michigan where I visited the Sleeping Dunes park mentioned in the book, I can assure readers that Tell's descriptions are quite accurate (particularly Venice). This is not only a great read but also educational. Tell has done it again! Highly recommend.

—Seth B.

 

This is a thinking person's mystery replete with historical cross references, interesting multidimensional characters and a notable lack of gratuitous violence. the interplay between the past and the present is refreshing and educational in a most entertaining way. After 3 Harry Grouch books, Harry has become my friend and I can't wait for more adventures.

—Bernard Abrams

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I've enjoyed reading several of Bob's books in addition to the Harry Grouch series. In the Harry Grouch series, I particularly enjoy the well researched historic facts. The professional camaraderie, as well as the familial exchanges, among the main and recurring characters is quite endearing. Maybe Harry's next mystery will pop up on a trip to Florida.

—Rosemary Buchwalter

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"In Stradella’s Revenge we meet for the third time the grouchy yet likable private eye Harry Grouch and his partner/lover Judy Pacas. Only this time the story crosses countries and continents (Italy and the United States), and, most surprisingly, time periods. In fact, it takes us back to the seventeenth century where we meet a mesmerizing character, Alessandro Stradella. Stradella, an extremely talented composer but also a thief, rapist and serial womanizer, is, as Harry and Judy are going to learn, the reason why present day composers are being murdered. How is that possible? It is a mystery that Harry and Judy must solve—and, of course, they do so brilliantly. This is, in my opinion, the most entertaining novel in the Harry Grouch series. Seventeenth century Italy, in particular, is a fascinating place, full of intrigues and colorful characters. It is evident that Mr. Tell has done a great deal of research on it, and describes it with a keen eye and a sure hand. I highly recommend this novel."

—Theodore S. Kohan

 

"Great follow up to the other Grouch books."

— S. Schnyder 

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Harry Grouch’s latest adventure was fascinating due to his usual detective prowess and because of the historic linkage to the composers Stradella and Albinoni stories that governed the tale. I found myself being involved in the Stradella incidences as much as the Grouch tale. As they evolved I found myself looking forward to the conclusions and confluences of the two mysteries.
The last few chapters brought everything together so quickly that I was sorry to have it all end.
Great mystery! I hope Harry gets another interesting gig and that Bob Tell shares it with us.

—KenP

 

"Harry Grouch triumphs yet again in the third, newest and most ambitious of author Robert Tell’s popular detective trilogy. “Stradella’s Revenge” finds Grouch spearheading an international investigation after his microbiologist friend receives inexplicable death threats and sees his home destroyed by a mysterious explosion. The story skillfully moves up and back in time, between Europe and America, as Grouch unravels an intriguing link between a series of unsolved murders targeting talented contemporary musicians and the assassination of a prominent composer -- more than 300 years before. Harry’s faithful sidekick Judy is in for a revelation too!"

—Book Beagle

 

 

*Selected reviews from Amazon.com