N.Y., Pantheon, 1997. First U.S. edition. SIGNED by author to first blank page. Denoted as Special Preview Edition. A rare Stradivarius violin, a gift from the Emperor of Brazil to his mistress, is stolen so Sarah Bernhardt, on her great 1886 tour, suggests that Sherlock Holmes be summoned to solve the crime. By the time he arrives, Rio de Janeiro has been shocked by a series of murders of beautiful young women, each with the killer's souvenir left behind: a violin strong. Very fine in dust jacket. $25.00.

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