Bellweather Rhapsody, a fun mystery novel by Kate Racculia, takes us to an annual weekend statewide high school music competition held in an old, but famous crumbling New York hotel.

Twins Alice and Bertrand (Rabbit) Hatmaker are among the hundreds of high school students gathering for an annual competition. Alice, the flamboyant twin, is an exceptional singer and dancer–just ask her. Her sensitive twin brother excels in bassoon. The two are very close, can read each other’s thoughts, and Rabbit is fine with Alice always taking the lead.

In 1982, the Bellweather Hotel was the scene of a gruesome murder/suicide of a newly married couple on their honeymoon. Now, in 1997, the decrepit hotel is again the scene of competition of high school musicians and dancers.

Alice Hatmaker happens to be assigned to the room where the notorious murder/suicide took place. When her roommate disappears, everyone is wondering: could that horror of bygone days be happening again, or is this a dumb prank some high school kid dreamed up?

Aside from the intriguing mystery, the adults are experiencing their own crises. Old romances, bitterness and resentments surface. In the meantime, a fierce snowstorm keeps everyone confined to the hotel. But the competitions must go on, and the students dutifully perform their various forms of art.

This was a fun novel for me to read. I loved the sections of music competition. From fourth grade through high school and beyond I played the clarinet in bands and orchestras, and in high school also played in the Seattle Youth Symphony. So many of the performing scenes were familiar to me as I relived my own musical background.

The author does a good job of capturing young students’ angst and rivalries. The adults, too, have their histories, many of which are better forgotten. The well-told story is fast moving with vivid descriptions of an old moldy hotel that harbors dark secrets.