The Musician's Daughter
by Susanne Dunlap
GENRE: #HistoricalMystery
My rating: ★★★★★ + 1⭐ Special Golden Star
Beyond the 5 Stars: A Special Golden Star added!
Who says Young Adult books are just for young people?
This historical novel captivated me so much that I couldn't tear myself away from the story and its characters to immerse myself in a new read... Do you know that feeling?
This is a wonderful historical mystery set in the world of classical music in 18th-century Austria, featuring a very young but strong main character who leads a dangerous double life.
Before telling you my thoughts, let me share a glimpse of
THE PLOT:
Late 18th-century Vienna. Theresa Schurman leads a precarious double life: she is a respectable girl from a good family who gives violin lessons to children, but disguised as a boy, she also plays in orchestras (something strictly forbidden to women at the time) to support her mother and younger sister after the brutal killing of her father in the previous book.
One night, on her way home, she witnesses the murder of another musician. After going to the police, she discovers that the body has mysteriously gone missing. Theresa refuses to be fooled by the web of lies unfolding around her, so she decides to find evidence of the crime and uncover why everyone wants to deny it.
Between secret meetings in grand, abandoned buildings, music lessons, and opera rehearsals, Theresa is drawn into a dark musical conspiracy that involves the young genius Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and Emperor Joseph II himself.
...And while the charming Hussar Captain Von Bauer thwarts Theresa at every turn, Zoltan—the noble Hungarian violinist—reappears in her turbulent life after two years of complete silence...
____ MY TOUGHTS ____
THE MAIN CHARACTER | A FEARLESS AND RELENTLESS ACHIEVER
I first met Theresa Schurman, the protagonist of this 18th-century mystery, in the prequel. Back then, she was a fifteen-year-old in the fascinating city of Vienna, finding herself investigating her musician father's murder.
If I found her to be a bit of a whiner sometimes in that first book (but hey, they had killed her father!), in this sequel I found a mature, resolute, and brave 17-year-old girl. Two years have passed not only for me to go on with the series, but for her as well.
Theresa has truly become a fantastic protagonist. She is driven by a fierce need for the truth, even when the world tells her to stay quiet. Watching her growth from a grieving daughter into a young woman navigating a labyrinth of lies is deeply satisfying.
Of course, she isn't perfect. While her choices sometimes disappoint the people she cares about, her inner turmoil shows us how deeply empathetic she really is. In this adventure, I saw a feisty Theresa who takes on heavy family responsibilities without burdening her mother.
She is a remarkably modern girl for her time; she enjoys being independent, and while she still welcomes love into her life, she pursues her artistic goals with tenacity, great determination, and absolute perseverance!
A VIBRANT ARRAY OF OLD AND NEW SIDE CHARACTERS
A colorful cast of new and old characters, both real and fictional, provides a rich backdrop to the events Theresa must navigate before uncovering the truth.
- Theresa’s Mother: Among the returning faces, there is obviously Theresa's mother, with whom she shares a conflicted relationship. She loves her daughter deeply, but she is a typical woman of her time who sees a woman's future only in a good marriage. What is unacceptable to society is unacceptable to her too. I really liked the dynamics between these two women; it beautifully highlights their initial friction and, ultimately, the unspoken strength of their mother-daughter bond.
- Mirela: Our protagonist's wild and rebellious gypsy friend also experiences personal growth, though very different from Theresa's. She is a girl without inhibitions, well-accustomed to manipulating men. To be honest, I didn't really like this character—she already made me angry in the first book! However, I love when stories feature a character who is the exact emotional opposite of the one I'm rooting for... it definitely adds a bit of spice to the plot.
- Returning Faces: Then we have Danior the gypsy, Zoltan (Theresa's noble love interest), his sister Alida, and other familiar characters from the first book. While they play smaller roles this time around, each is crucial to completing the puzzle.
- Mozart and the Weber Sisters: Among the new historical figures, a young stands out, captured right at the beginning of his adult career. We get a fascinating look into his romance with his sweetheart, Constanze Weber, alongside the heavy drama surrounding her sisters and mother, who desperately try to thwart their wedding plans. The inclusion of these real-world family struggles made the reading experience so much more immersive, prompting me to do my own research into the private lives of the Weber family! The same goes for the brilliant historical details about the Burgtheater and the mysterious Masonic lodges.
- Captain Von Bauer: Last but certainly not least, we are introduced to the enigmatic Hussar Captain Von Bauer. He is a magnetic yet frustrating addition to the cast. He acts as a constant thorn in Theresa’s side, thwarting her investigations at every turn. You can never quite tell whose side he is on, which creates an amazing layer of tension and suspense whenever he shares a scene with our fierce protagonist.
HISTORICAL CONNECTIONS AND THEMES ADDRESSED IN THE BOOK
Along with the pure entertainment provided by the author's imagination, the story offers a solid foundation of elements deeply linked to real history.
In addition to the historical figures, legendary streets, squares, and historic buildings of Vienna already mentioned, the author masterfully addresses two heavy themes that have shaped the history not only of Austria, but of the entire world: discrimination against women and, even more severely, against the Jewish people.
1. Women in 18th-Century Austria
At that time, women were strictly forbidden from playing in an orchestra. A musical career was reserved for men only, which is why Theresa has to disguise herself as a boy and lives in constant fear of being discovered.
The thing that shocked me the most while researching this topic is that women in Austria were not allowed to become full members of the world-renowned Vienna Philharmonic until 1997 (and some restrictions lingered until the early 2000s)! Can you believe it? Modern times! Before that, women were only occasionally accepted as harpists or guest soloists.
In the past, countless talented women—not just musicians—had to give up their passions and potential careers in favor of marriage, precisely because of this systemic discrimination.
Mozart's own sister, Nannerl, who performed with him as a child and was gifted with immense talent, had to completely abandon her artistic path while her brother became world-famous.
The same tragic fate happened to women writers, painters, scientists, and mathematicians. Even today, significant gaps in labor rights between men and women still persist, even in modern Western countries.
2. Jews in Late 18th-Century Austria
While Empress Maria Theresa deeply disliked the Jewish community, after her death, her son, Emperor Joseph II, introduced groundbreaking reforms to improve their status. First, he abolished the humiliating requirement for Jews to wear distinct markings on their clothing to separate them from others. He also lifted the restrictions that forced them to live in segregated areas, allowing them to enroll in universities, practice agriculture, crafts, trade, and enter almost all professions.
However, much like women, they remained barred from certain exclusive circles—including, as the book accurately shows, prominent orchestras and Masonic lodges. The story reveals the deeply rooted prejudice and hatred that some individuals still harbored despite these new laws.
We are currently living in times of war that touch upon these exact painful points. Looking back at the past should make us all pause and reflect. We might not be able to stop governments and their political decisions, but as individuals, we should remind ourselves every day that tolerance and empathy are the absolute foundations of a peaceful life that benefits everyone.
3. Masonic Lodges | Places of Brotherhood and "Tolerance", but not for everyone!
A third deeply fascinating historical connection in the book emerges when the author pulls back the curtain on the secret meetings of the brotherhood.
Both in Susanne Dunlap's novel and in real life, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart was a dedicated member of the Freemasons. These secret societies, which arose in the first two decades of the 18th century, quickly expanded across the globe with highly noble intentions. Their original goal was to establish a neutral, enlightened space centered on the moral improvement of the individual, religious tolerance, and the ultimate progress of humanity through human reason—a desperate attempt to rise above the bloody civil and religious wars that had torn Europe apart for centuries.
In reality, however, as we vividly witness through Theresa's eyes in the story, these spaces were deeply contradictory and equally discriminatory.
Despite their high-minded philosophy of universal brotherhood, women were strictly banned from entering these lodges, and intense prejudices against Jewish people and lower social classes often lingered beneath the surface.
Not every individual belonging to them was truly enlightened by reason and genuine tolerance. The gap between their beautiful ideals and the harsh reality was massive. Discovering this paradox in the book completely fascinated me, and it inspired me to read several very interesting historical articles to learn more about how secret societies operated in imperial Vienna.
THE SETTING | A GLIMMERING CITY WITH SHADOWS AT EVERY CORNER
The author has brilliantly reconstructed the vibrant atmosphere of late 18th-century Vienna, with its cobblestone streets and grand, historic buildings that still stand today. But what I truly want to emphasize is how masterfully she managed to weave an aura of mystery mixed with palpable tension that lasts throughout the entire book.
While reading, I could genuinely feel Theresa's heart racing as she heard unknown, heavy footsteps echoing behind her on her way home in the dark.
I could vividly sense her fear, driven by the absolute darkness and dampness of the underground passages, as the soft, terrifying padding of a dangerous animal filled the silence.
This relentless suspense, beautifully intertwined with Theresa's fierce character, is exactly what kept me completely engrossed in the story from the very first page to the last.
THE MYSTERY PART & RHYTHM | A BRILLIANT LABYRINTH OF LIES
As you can probably guess from the atmospheric setting, the mystery itself is incredibly well-crafted, packed with genuine suspense and clever twists.
What I appreciated the most was the pacing of the resolution; unlike so many books where the ending feels rushed and chaotic, the author takes her time here. Every single piece of the intricate puzzle is carefully put into its proper place during the final chapters, delivering a deeply satisfying and well-earned conclusion. It is a masterclass in slow-burn mystery storytelling!
A LITERARY PROMISE | A FRIENDLY WARNING FOR ROMANCE LOVERS
A quick but necessary warning for my fellow readers: this book is a historical mystery through and through, not a romance novel. At the beginning of the story, you might be tempted to look for a heavy romantic subplot, but I highly advise against doing so to save yourself from potential disappointment.
It is a mystery with a delicate, faint romantic note hanging in the air, a quiet whisper that remains mostly silent throughout the main events. However, do not despair! By the end of the book, this subtle tension receives a beautiful and satisfying answer that left me (at least!) with a very happy heart.
FINAL VERDICT | A PURE BUBBLE OF COZY SUSPENSE
I highly recommend this book to anyone looking for light, yet deeply engaging and intelligent entertainment. The seamless blend of suspense fiction, rich historical details, and thought-provoking social themes makes it a perfect read for both young adults and older readers alike. With its clean language and complete absence of gruesome or gratuitous violence, it provides a safe, welcoming, and thoroughly thrilling escape.
It is a true masterpiece that will linger in your heart long after you turn the final page!
Thank you for stopping by and reading my opinion. 😊
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Theresa Schurman Book #1: "The Musician's Daughter"
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