Parents' Guide to

The Composer Is Dead

By Patricia Tauzer, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 7+

Murder and mystery create a unique intro to the orchestra.

Book Lemony Snicket Mystery 2009
The Composer Is Dead Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this book.

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What's the Story?

When it's discovered that the composer is dead, or "decomposing" as the author puts it, the inspector is called in to solve the mystery of his murder. One by one, he interviews the sections of the orchestra, thereby revealing their various musical roles. Each one, of course, has an alibi. Ultimately, after revealing a long list of also dead composers, the inspector finds his answers, and all who want "something a little more interesting" than justice are encouraged to go to the orchestra.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say: Not yet rated
Kids say: Not yet rated

Those who enjoy the wit of Lemony Snicket will find this book funny and entertaining, at least for the most part. Plays on language and snippets of dry humor carry the various interviews between the inspector and the instruments. The sections of the orchestra are each introduced, and the reader gets a feel for the personality of each as well as a pretty good sense of what they offer to the whole. If that is enough for you, then you'll love this book.

Others may feel, however, that the ending falls a little flat and spins off in a confusing and dissatisfying way that raises a few questions, and leaves them unanswered. For one thing, the mystery of the murder is not really solved. In fact, there really has not been any murder at all. Second, we are left with the idea that classical composers are all dead, and dead men at that. Kids may like the game though, and they will certainly get to know music a little better.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about the various instruments and the roles they play in an orchestra as they try to solve the murder mystery along with the inspector. They also may want to look at the list of composers carefully. Do you recognize any of the names? Do you see any women on the list? Why not? The book could inspire families to go to the orchestra to hear the instruments for themselves.

Book Details

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