War heroine and intrepid crime solver Cecilia "Ace" Carroway specializes in cheating death, but she's never encountered a murderous musical instrument before. Violinist P. Charles Derkin is the latest owner of the deadly violin, and he's a nervous wreck. Ever since he inherited the famous Cremona Cannon, nightly noises and ghostly lights disturb his slumber. If he manages to fall sleep, violin-related nightmares jolt him awake again. When he discovers that the violin's two previous owners each died in horrific "accidents," he enlists Ace and her danger-loving associates.

Moments after Ace takes the case, Derkin narrowly escapes death by falling masonry. Ace will have to solve the mystery before the mystery puts Derkin six feet under.

But what - or who - could be putting Charles Derkin in peril? Is it mysterious paranormal forces? Is it Filbert Monocles, the diminutive director of the violin's security organization? Is it Isabella Rosavino, the vivacious Italian photographer?

Ace's probing is not appreciated by the evil forces at work. Soon, the violin's circle of danger expands to include Ace, then tightens like a hangman's noose. When Derkin and his violin are kidnapped, Ace will need all of her wits, her swashbuckling partners, and an airship to have a hope of saving him before they both become the next victims of - THE DEADLY VIOLIN.

This book contains: An Irishman's blarney. Rope ladders. A papier mâché tree trunk. Reckless driving. Radio tracking equipment. Canadians. Motorcycles. Mercy bullets. Regular bullets. A monocle. A transatlantic pursuit. A blush from Ace. A spy named Tim. Those adorable associates of hers. The star-fortress of Copenhagen. Vivaldi's Winter.

Ace Carroway and the Deadly Violin is sixth in the Adventures of Ace Carroway series. Content rating: teen.