To the ancient Romans, the healing waters of Bath belonged to the goddess Minerva. Today they belong to the gods of commerce, as tourists teem, shops prosper, and the incense of gourmet food rises to the English skies. Among the throng is Sara Selkirk, a world-class cellist who came undone in a Paris performance. For Sara, taking a break from performing has given her a chance to look at what's missing from her life and even at a case of murder.
The killing occurred in the famous Roman Baths, and the victim was the museum's director. Knowing several people close to the investigationfrom a potential suspect to a detective who cajoled her into giving him cello lessonsSara discovers a talent for making sense of things. But like a Bach fugue, the pattern she grasps is more complex than it seems. And as she moves down a trail strewn with secrets and damaged lives, a chilling story begins to emerge: of greed, envyand a killer performance that may not be quite finished yet.