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About the Author...
Formerly a Metropolitan Opera Orchestra violinist for 21 years, ERICA MINER now enjoys a multi-faceted career as an award-winning author, lecturer, screenwriter, and arts journalist. Erica’s debut novel, Travels with my Lovers, won the Fiction Prize in the Direct from the Author Book Awards, and her screenplays have won awards in the Santa Fe, WinFemme and Writer’s Digest competitions. Erica’s passion for “Bringing Murder and Music together” is embodied in her 3-part “Opera Mystery” novel series, now being re-published by Level Best Books, starting with Aria for Murder at New York’s Metropolitan Opera. Drawing on Erica’s own real-life experiences working at the Met with Maestro Leonard Bernstein and other superstars of the music world, Erica’s young violinist sleuth, Julia Kogan, investigates high-profile murder and mayhem behind the Met’s “Golden Curtain.” The series continues with the second and third novels taking place at the Santa Fe and San Francisco Opera. Now based in the Pacific Northwest, Erica also is a top speaker and lecturer. In the music world, she has presented pre-concert lectures for the Seattle Symphony at Benaroya Hall; Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at the University of California San Diego and the University of Washington; the Creative Retirement Institute at Edmonds College in the greater Seattle area; and Wagner Societies in Boston, New York, the Bay Area, Los Angeles, San Diego, North Carolina, and New South Wales (Sydney, Australia). As a writer, Erica has given workshops for Sisters in Crime; Los Angles Creative Writing Conference; EPIC Group Writers; Write on the Sound; Fields End Writer’s Community; Savvy Authors; and numerous libraries on the west coast. |
About the Book...
The Julia Kogan Opera Mysteries Aria for Murder (2022) Prelude to Murder (2023) News and Reviews... Aria for Murder “A ruthless and clever killer haunts the Metropolitan Opera and the hidden recesses of Lincoln Center. Violinist Julia Kogan, a rising star in the pit, must unmask the murderer or become a victim herself. Erica Miner’s richly satisfying Aria for Murder delivers a compelling mystery, replete with devious characters, glorious music, and plenty of behind-the-scenes dirty laundry. A musical and dramatic triumph. Bis! Encore!” James W. Ziskin, Anthony, Barry, and Macavity Award-winning author of the Ellie Stone Mysteries. Edgar®, Agatha, and Lefty Award finalist “A brilliant murder mystery set in the grandeur of the Metropolitan Opera House in NYC. Filled with nonstop action and vibrant color, this story will whisk you away to another world where you’ll fall for the characters and yearn for more. I really loved this book. The opera background just filled me with so much joy. your background and scenery all played so strong with me! All in all, a brilliant work. Highly recommended.” Aaron Paul Lazar, USA Today Bestselling Author “Erica Miner, the Agatha Christie of the opera world, continues the genre with a wickedly wonderful, fast-paced updated version of the former 1st book in the series, Murder in the Pit. Her brand new thriller, Aria for Murder, delights in every way, as plot twists and turns left my heart racing through the suspenseful dénouement. Miner's 21 years as violinist with the Met Orchestra gives credence to her knowledge of the opera house, both in front of and behind the Gold Curtain. This is simply brilliant writing. Bravissima!” Richard Stilwell, international opera star Prelude to Murder “Erica Miner is the Agatha Christie of the opera world.” – Richard Stilwell, international opera star “I read and finished PRELUDE TO MURDER the second time and loved it all over again. Very beautifully written. You made me want to go to Santa Fe! And especially to see an opera there! Such color and beautiful scene painting...lovely!” -Aaron Paul Lazar, USA Today Bestselling Author “Prelude to Murder is a tantalizing peek behind the curtain of the world-renowned Santa Fe Opera. There’s plenty of mayhem on the bill, rich spirituality, sumptuous history, and metaphysical frights, too. So much to enjoy in Erica Miner’s new novel. But it’s the music that steals the show. Concertmaster Julia Kogan, on loan to Santa Fe from the Metropolitan Opera, returns (after Aria for Murder), and finds herself smack in the middle of a clever and dramatic mystery set against bloody arias and deadly recitativo.” -James W. Ziskin, Anthony, Barry, and Macavity Award-winning author |
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