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Testimonials
"Erica Miner brings to her writing vast experience as a violinist, including twenty-one years with New York's Metropolitan Opera Company. Miner's Julia Kogan mystery series is superb and a treat to read. Overture to Murder, third book in the series, takes the reader into the behind-the-scenes world of San Francisco opera. If you're looking for intelligent, suspenseful and well-written mysteries, this series is for you
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Harriette Sackler, Agatha Award-Nominated Short Story Writer
"Set in fabled San Francisco, Overture to Murder is a thrilling opera-based mystery! At the end of the shocking first chapter, I was hooked. If mystery readers were not opera fans before reading this delicious novel, they may well become aficionados after finishing it. Unfolding around Wagner's majestic Ring cycle, the author and her violinist protagonist play all the right notes as the mystery deepens, constantly building suspense like a fugue. As the story crescendos, Wagner's cavalry, the Valkyries, soar in to help resolve the devious and murderous events that kept me on the edge of my seat all through the book. Bravissimo! I want an encore
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Curt Colbert, award-winning author
"Divas and deadly secrets share center stage in Erica Miner’s Overture to Murder, a classic mystery tale set at the San Francisco Opera House. Underpinning the plot of this delightfully twisty novel is a full-scale Wagnerian opera production that provides an apt metaphor for the action and a chilling backdrop for murder. The stakes could not be higher for violinist Julia Kogan, whose pursuit of a killer is rendered with all the immediacy of a live performance. Precise details, inside information about the glamorous world of classical music, and a cast of finely drawn characters propel the action from the opening curtain to the final bows. The suspenseful and surprising finish to this tale of mystery, music, and mayhem is a page-turner. Highly recommend
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Lori Robbins, author of the Master Class and On Pointe Mysteries
"As in her two previous mystery novels, Erica Miner's OVERTURE TO MURDER beautifully balances the real world of opera with elements of intriguing and frightening fantasy. In this newest tale danger becomes palpable; the dénouement, nail biting. The author's descriptive writing skills are once again in top form, as action is quickly propelled to the exciting climax. One need not be a Wagner aficionado to become fully immersed into this taut whodunit narrative. Miner's love and knowledge of opera is quite evident as she weaves parcels of the Ring into this contemporary Bay City murder mystery.
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Richard Stilwell, Metropolitan Opera Baritone
"Anyone who loves the romance of opera and opera houses will enjoy Overture to Murder. Throughout the novel, Ms. Miner gives us a unique tour of the War Memorial Opera House, letting us in on the secrets, legends and gossip of both this venerable building and one of its most important occupants, the San Francisco Opera. She shares so many details that only a true insider can know, bringing the building to life and making it an essential character and source of enigma in this exceptionally well-crafted mystery."
John Boatwright, San Francisco Opera House Head
"'This was a wonderfully informative and entertaining class. Ms. Miner's professional experience adds so much to the course content/
Always enjoy Erica Miner's courses! Excellent/Fantastic course.
Erica Miner is a superb instructor. I will look for her upcoming courses/Meticulous research, wonderful slides, and glorious music!/Outstanding class made even stronger by Erica’s long professional experience in the world of musical performance/
Keep them coming!/I always enjoy Erica Miner's Classes. She has been My favorite instructor. Thank you for offering her Courses. Keep Up the Good Work/This was my first class with Erica Miner and she was inspiring!/"
Edmonds College attendees
"Pamela Kuhn is a terrific interviewer, and you are a wonderful interviewee!!! Great work, both of you!"
Sieglinde Walse
"I was intrigued by the originality of Erica's award-winning mysteries, with murder and mayhem in the setting of a great opera house---the first being set in the Metropolitan Opera in New York City and the second in the Santa Fe Opera. Her experience as a gifted violinist highlights the tremendous effort put into a production, emphasizing all that might go wrong, even without a murder! One charming feature is that each chapter in each of her mysteries begins with a quote from an opera in the original language followed by the English translation. "
Margaret Roche, writer
"Erica Miner, one of the best-prepared, most congenial interviewers with whom I have ever worked"
Daron Hagen, composer
"Thank you Erica for a wonderful talk today! What a gift to have this gem in the middle of the day."
Natalie Lecher, Program Director, OLLI UW
"I agree with Patricia; a WONDERFUL interview! You already know I’m big fan of your opera murder mysteries. Bravissima!!"
Richard Stilwell, international opera star
"In Erica Miner’s latest operatic crime story, "Staged for Murder"...Prepare yourself to be drawn inexorably into her engrossing account of deadly deeds behind the big gold curtain in the City by the Bay
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Kip Cranna, Dramaturg Emeritus, San Francisco Opera
"‘Death by Opera is a peek behind the curtain of a world-renown opera company, with plenty of mayhem on the bill. Rich spirituality, sumptuous history, and metaphysical frights give Erica Miner’s new novel many layers to enjoy. But it’s the music that steals the show. Amateur sleuth Julia Kogan, now summer concertmaster at Santa Fe’s famous opera company, returns (after Murder in the Pit), and finds herself smack in the middle of a veritable killing spree backstage. An engaging, clever mystery set against bloody arias and deadly recitativo.’"
James Ziskin, Award-winning author
"Erica Miner is the Agatha Christie of the opera world. More than a romp for opera buffs, 'Death By Opera' is a wickedly wonderful, fast-paced thriller: a historically informative and illuminating ‘whodunit’ interweaving ancient legends, ghost stories, and present-day jealousies into a murder mystery of taut suspense playing out at Santa Fe’s world-renowned summer opera festival."
Richard Stilwell, Metropolitan Opera star
"The machinations of Death by Opera are skillfully conducted in a masterful story authored by Erica Miner...a fascinating glimpse into a world that few have the privilege to be a part of"
Wendy Kendall, Author
"I loved the interview! I was also thrilled, that you mentioned Donna Leon and her mystery books, that take place in Venice at La Fenice. Now, I am waiting to read your books."
Aurelia Kimmelmann
"WOW-You need to change your name to Erica Major! 'Death by Opera' is amazing, chilling, fascinating, inspiring, and reflects so much knowledge and research. Thank you, Erica. Keep writing!!"
Patricia Daly-Lipe, author
"‘I adore your writing. I get so deliciously lost in it. Beautiful, easy flow. I didn’t want it to end. Operagoers from all around the world are sure to be thrilled with your books.’"
Sonette Bales, Giving Director, San Diego Opera
"A quick and absorbing read, for sure, especially when you’re quoting all the haunts of the Opera House I know so well, and of course Santa Fe itself and the mountains."
Edward Alley, conductor
"Wow, were you prepared! So clear, precise, and on point! Congratulations!"
Patricia Daly-Lipe, author
"Quite a fun trip through Santa Fe and backstage at the Opera with a sweet interlude and subplot at Radiance. Many cool moments to go with rich characters and clever dialogue. Wonderful. You deserve big success with Death by Opera and mysteries to come."
Rob Dean, Searchlight New Mexico
"Having just enjoyed 3 of your reviews and articles, I am enthralled with your expressive, catchy writing and your resource of in-depth musical knowledge. Very impressive, Erica!"
Carol Worthey, composer
"Erica's marvelous lectures on opera take us behind the famous Met 'Golden Curtain' for a look at what really goes on in this intriguing, mad and most demanding world of any art form. Erica leaves the audience always wanting to hear more. Don’t miss any chance to hear her lectures. Whether you’re a seasoned opera lover or a newcomer, she is the very best at what she does. Brava, Erica!"
Ron Della Chiesa, broadcast host, Boston Symphony Orchestra
"'Book signing with the illustrious Erica Miner. Delightful. Engaging. Intriguing. Now home to begin the book. Murder at the opera - perfect.'"
Risë Walter, San Diego Opera
"The best classical music journalist on the planet - Erica Miner."
Jim Boydston, San Diego Opera
"I appreciate reading music reviews from someone who actually knows music and can talk about something more than a missed note or two!"
Charlotte Donady Dinwiddie, musician
"Your informative and thoughtful presentation to the Wagner Society of Southern California in San Diego was simply outstanding. Your ability to stand in front of the attendees and deliver an extremely well organized and interesting presentation without notes held the audience glued to your every word. Your personal experiences as a first violinist in the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra playing Wagner’s demanding operatic works, plus your humor and candor both in the presentation and in answering questions, added significantly to the personal connection you were able to establish with the Wagner aficionados, many of whom have in-depth knowledge of Wagner’s music and Wagner the man. Great job!!"
Larry Hunt, Wagner Society of Southern California
"Erica, I was so glad to get to hear you live – you were terrific! You are a beautiful and welcoming performer/lecturer. You have the ability to weave your knowledge/information into your interesting rich stories, which of course pulls the audience right into the palm of your hand. Your audience today was stimulated, engaged – and left as I did, knowing more about opera and its history."
Maggie Marshall, author and lecturer
"I want to thank you for the generosity of spirit shown Monday night... (you) presented a clear and content-rich message, and you were very well received, as I'm sure you know. I'm sure that you could tell that the audience was WITH you the whole time."
Gary Young, Director of Professional Development, IWOSC
"The Mystery panel was terrific! You did a great job in selecting the authors. Each one was delightful, clever, knowledgeable and very generous with information."
Flo Selfman, President, Independent Writers of Southern CA
"I thoroughly enjoyed your presentation today. You were most impressive, speaking fluently, without any notes. I enjoyed your theme of family chaos and the wonderful musical examples you used to support it. You also asked engaging questions of your listeners."
Eileen Wingard, violinist
"Thank you for giving us a GREAT show. I was very impressed!
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John T. Wills, Blog Talk Radio talk show host
"Erica is compelling and honest. Her main objective is to help others bounce back after life's challenges and setbacks. Our audience was spellbound by her personal story and fascinating novel."
Monica Pierre, WQUE FM,
New Orleans
"Thanks for being my guest last night... I thought it was fun and an interesting subject for women. I would love to have you back on again!"
Lee Mirabal, WSRadio.com
Kept me on the edge of my seat all through the book. Bravissimo! I want an encore -- Curt Colbert, award-winning author
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