Sara Selkirk arrives unknowingly at a crime scene when she stumbles upon the dead body of Matthew Sawyer, the museum's director, lying motionless in the famous Roman Baths. Shocked by her discovery, she soon finds herself embroiled in the investigation that includes detective Andrew Poole, who's in charge, and friends and acquaintances, who upon further scrutiny become strangers.

Sara, a concert cellist, has been struggling lately due to a tragedy in her personal life. She's just now begun to play again and is beginning to feel comfortable with an audience when the crime occurs. She finds herself very curious why anyone would want to cause harm and especially death to Mr. Sawyer, and by using her analytical talents, discusses her thoughts and concerns with Mr. Poole during his cello lessons.

The reasons for this crime stay hidden throughout the story and, as the plot thickens, the reader is immersed in a very dark and disturbing mystery. As Sara and Andrew get closer to the truth, their feelings and passion for one another come to the surface, yet remain simmering until all of the pieces to the puzzle are in place.

Morag Joss has created an excellent ensemble of characters and, after providing descriptions of each in great detail, you may think you know them. But like the skin of an onion being peeled away, each character becomes a stranger between the pages. She uses music throughout to conjure up the many feelings and emotions that follow Sara and the others through the maze of crime, passion, deceit, romance and death. Funeral Music's well-plotted story compares to those by Patricia Cornwell, James Patterson and Phillip Margolin. Funeral Music keeps you alert and focused because each turn of the page skillfully peels away another layer. Thanks to Morag Joss, I now have a new author to read.