Another Review at MyShelf.Com

Publisher: iUniverse, Inc.
Release Date: June 2004
ISBN: 059531676X
Awards:  
Format Reviewed: Trade paperback; hardcover
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Genre:   Mystery
Reviewed: 2004
Reviewer: Janet Elaine Smith
Reviewer Notes:  Janet Elaine Smith is the author of 12 published novels and 1 non-fiction book. She is also well-known for the many magazines (both print and e-zines) for which she writes. Her latest novel is Dakota Printer, now available.
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The Mozart Forgeries 
By Daniel N. Leeson

       The two main characters in Dan Leeson’s book, The Mozart Forgeries, are known simply as “Librarian” and “Forger.” This does not detract from the book, which opens with Librarian going to pick Forger up from the penitentiary on the day of his release.

      The setting is (primarily) New York City, where Librarian has access to many important documents, including some Mozart scripts. As the two men travel to Librarian’s home, Librarian discusses his “plot” with Forger. They soon begin their arduous task of duplicating Mozart’s style of writing to create two well-known missing masterpieces.

       This is the most meticulous research I have ever read. Forger delves into the project with the utmost enthusiasm—creating not only the perfect paper that would have been used in the days of Mozart, but even learns what kind of a feather Mozart would have used and the perfect copy of the ink. While this part of the book is very detail-oriented, it does not detract from the overall plan of the two men, but adds to it.

    As the masterpieces are completed, they are taken to numerous authorities for authentication. They fool the best of them. Librarian even makes a trip to Europe to try to “find” the place where the original manuscripts were most likely to have disappeared.

      This is one of the most brilliant books I have read in years. The plot itself is wonderful. The details were outrageously captivating. I would love to see more works from this writer. Dan Leeson is well-known for his expertise as a Mozart fan, yet his mind must be extremely creative. I highly recommend this book. One of the best I’ve seen in years. It will have you scratching your head, wondering where they will go next, and grinning from ear to ear at the complexity and sneaky ways they accomplish their goal.