Patricia Duncker - The Strange Case of the Composer and His Judge

The Boston Globe“The dynamic of the hunter and prey is reversed over and over again...” A tightly plotted thriller that, at times, sags and slows with the density of historical and scientific research. But as a whole it is an accomplishment — a quick, instantly involving, page-turning mystery, written in fluid, lyrical prose...

The Independent“Her language cascades through the music of the spheres...” Less Gothic than in her earlier novels, Duncker has never been on more exuberant form. This novel supersedes the occult dalliances of Dan Brown with intelligence, erudition and the force of compelling writing...

The Times“They find a strange book written in code...” It sounds silly, but this book is a sublime confection of art, ideas and gorgeous writing...

Financial Times“Sharply cerebral high-end fiction...” I finished the book enthralled and obsessed, reluctant to let go of the enigmatic Judge and her creepy adventures. Please, Madame Duncker, let this be the first of a series...

Guardian“At first, it's a sharply drawn crime scene...” Duncker's language, which one moment demonstrates heady, dark-chocolate values, as sexy as the mystery itself, has the next an awkward, schematic feel: the tension between the two implies some other story, or some other way the story might be told...

The Telegraph“There is a twist in Duncker’s tale...” This is an enjoyable novel. And in the denouement Duncker out-Dan-Browns Dan Brown: you will never read a more thrilling account of somebody trying to find the correct exit to get to Jodrell Bank from the M6...

Economist“Not yet reviewed”

Publishers Weekly“Not yet reviewed”

The New York Times“Not yet reviewed”

The New Yorker“Not yet reviewed”