The Shadowy Third

A rare Stradivarius violin is stolen from the brilliant but arrogant musician Igor Krassin. The insurance company is reluctant to pay out on its policy and turns David Calder, New York lawyer and private investigator, loose, hoping he can find the violin. No one understands why the violin was stolen, as it is so rare and so distinctive that disposing of it profitably is nearly impossible. The ownership of the violin turns out to be in question. Calder learned that the legendary instrument was taken from the original owner by the Nazi regime. Now the family of the owner knows Krassin had it and is laying legal claim to the violin when it is recovered. Considering the number of famous paintings that were stolen during the war and were returned to the original owners during the post-war years, Calder suspects the claim of the family to the violin might well stand up in court. Before long Krassin is murdered. Everyone understands why Krassin might have been killed. He was difficult personally and professionally. He was an inveterate womanizer, leaving a trail of angry women, husbands, boyfriends, and fathers. He had no shortage of enemies. Krassin had recently drafted a new will, leaving a number of generous bequests. He had not signed it however, which means the wife he had been keeping in the background was his heir and she had no intention of honoring the provisions of the new will.... A nicely constructed nourish thriller with considerable detail about the behind-the-scenes operations of a large symphony and the world of rare classical instruments. >[synopsis from review at happinessisabook.com]