Bellweather Rhapsody - Paperback

by Kate Racculia (Author)

A high school music festival goes awry when a young prodigy disappears from a hotel room that was the site of a famous murder/suicide fifteen years earlier--in this "deliciously dark confection of a novel, and one of the most thoroughly enjoyable books I've read in years" (Celeste Ng).

Now hundreds of high school musicians, including quiet bassoonist Rabbit Hatmaker and his brassy diva twin, Alice, have gathered in its cavernous, crumbling halls for the annual statewide festival; the grown-up bridesmaid has returned to face her demons; and a snowstorm is forecast that will trap everyone on the grounds. Then one of the orchestra's stars disappears--from room 712. Is it a prank, or has murder struck the Bellweather once again?

The search for answers entwines a hilariously eccentric cast of characters--conductors and caretakers, failures and stars, teenagers on the verge and adults trapped in memories. For everyone has come to the Bellweather with a secret, and everyone is haunted.

Full of knowing nods to the shivery pleasures of suspense and the transporting power of music, this is a wholly winning new novel from a writer lauded as "charming" (Los Angeles Times), "witty" (O, The Oprah Magazine), and "whimsical" (People).

Back Jacket

Winner of a 2015 Alex Award

A deliciously dark confection of a novel, and one of the most thoroughly enjoyable books I ve read in years. Celeste Ng, author of Everything I Never Told You

Warm, entertaining and thoughtful, and a glorious celebration of music. Minneapolis Star Tribune

Fifteen years ago, a murder-suicide in room 712 rocked the grand old Bellweather Hotel and the young bridesmaid who witnessed it, Minnie Graves. Now hundreds of high school musicians have gathered at the Bellweather for the annual Statewide festival; Minnie has returned to face her demons; and a blizzard is threatening to trap them all inside. When a young prodigy disappears from infamous room 712, the search for her entwines an eccentric cast of conductors and caretakers, teenagers on the verge and adults haunted by memories. A genre-bending page-turner, full of playful nods to pop-culture classics from The Shining to Agatha Christie to Glee, Bellweather Rhapsody is a winning new novel from a writer to watch.

Funny and exuberant, twisty and captivating . . . For its darkness and its glee, I loved this novel. Robin Sloan, author of Mr. Penumbra s 24-Hour Bookstore

A rollicking story . . . Racculia s exuberant voice inspires laugh-out-loud moments while also bringing to life broken people who find solace in each other s heartaches. Wisconsin State Journal

Kate Racculia grew up in Syracuse, New York. She received her MFA from Emerson College and is the author of This Must Be the Place, lauded as charming (Los Angeles Times), witty (O, the Oprah Magazine), and whimsical (People). She lives in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania.

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Author Biography

KATE RACCULIA grew up in Syracuse, New York, where she played bassoon in her high school band. She received her MFA from Emerson and is also the author of This Must Be the Place.