Vengeance in Vienna (A Year in Europe—Book 3)

By Blake Pierce

“When you think that life cannot get better, Blake Pierce comes up with another masterpiece of thriller and mystery! This book is full of twists, and the end brings a surprising revelation. Strongly recommended for the permanent library of any reader who enjoys a very well-written thriller.”
--Books and Movie Reviews (re Almost Gone)

VENGEANCE IN VIENNA is book #3 in a charming new cozy mystery series by USA Today bestselling author Blake Pierce, whose #1 bestseller Once Gone has received 1,500 five-star reviews. The series (A YEAR IN EUROPE) begins with book #1 (A MURDER IN PARIS).

Diana Hope, 55, is still adjusting to her recent separation when she discovers her ex-husband has just proposed to a woman 30 years younger. Secretly hoping they would reunite, Diana is devastated. She realizes the time has come to reimagine life without him—in fact, to reimagine her life, period.

Devoting the last 30 years of her life to being a dutiful wife and mother and to climbing the corporate ladder, Diana has been relentlessly driven, and has not taken a moment to do anything for herself. Now, the time has come.

Diana never forgot her first boyfriend, who begged her to join him for a year in Europe after college. She had wanted to go so badly, but it had seemed like a wild, romantic idea, and a gap year, she’d thought, would hinder her resume and career. But now, with her daughters grown, her husband gone, and her career no longer fulfilling, Diana realizes it’s time for herself—and to take that romantic year in Europe she’d always dreamed of.

Diana prepares to embark on the year of her life, finally turning to her bucket list, hoping to tour the most beautiful sights and sample the most scrumptious cuisines—and maybe, even, to fall in love again. But a year in Europe may have different plans in store for her. Can A-type Diana learn to go with the flow, to be spontaneous, to let down her guard and to learn to truly enjoy life again?

In VENGEANCE IN VIENNA (Book #3), Diana travels to Vienna, hoping to fulfill her bucket list dream of being moved to tears by music. She is overwhelmed by the beauty, history and culture of the city and wonders if she’s finally settling into her trip in Europe—when an unforeseen catastrophe turns her plans upside down. Can Diana investigate her way out of this one?

A YEAR IN EUROPE is a charming and laugh-out-loud cozy mystery series, packed with food and travel, with mysteries that will leave you on the edge of your seat, and with experiences that will leave you with a sense of wonder. As Diana embarks on her quixotic quest for love and meaning, you will find yourself falling in love and rooting for her. You will be in shock at the twists and turns her journey takes as she somehow finds herself at the center of a mystery, and must play amateur sleuth to solve it. Fans of books like Eat, Pray, Love and Under the Tuscan Sun have finally found the cozy mystery series they’ve been hoping for!

Future books in the series will be available soon.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Blake Pierce
• Release date: Jun 15, 2021
• ISBN: 9781094372792

Book preview

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V E N G E A N C E

I N

V I E N N A

(A Year in Europe—Book 3)

B L A K E   P I E R C E

Blake Pierce

Blake Pierce is the USA Today bestselling author of the RILEY PAGE mystery series, which includes seventeen books. Blake Pierce is also the author of the MACKENZIE WHITE mystery series, comprising fourteen books; of the AVERY BLACK mystery series, comprising six books; of the KERI LOCKE mystery series, comprising five books; of the MAKING OF RILEY PAIGE mystery series, comprising six books; of the KATE WISE mystery series, comprising seven books; of the CHLOE FINE psychological suspense mystery, comprising six books; of the JESSIE HUNT psychological suspense thriller series, comprising nineteen books, of the AU PAIR psychological suspense thriller series, comprising three books; of the ZOE PRIME mystery series, comprising six books; of the ADELE SHARP mystery series, comprising thirteen books; of the EUROPEAN VOYAGE cozy mystery series, comprising six books; of the new LAURA FROST FBI suspense thriller, comprising four books (and counting); of the new ELLA DARK FBI suspense thriller, comprising six books (and counting); of the A YEAR IN EUROPE cozy mystery series, comprising nine books (and counting); of the AVA GOLD mystery series, comprising three books (and counting); and of the RACHEL GIFT mystery series, comprising three books (and counting).

An avid reader and lifelong fan of the mystery and thriller genres, Blake loves to hear from you, so please feel free to visit www.blakepierceauthor.com to learn more and stay in touch.

Copyright © 2021 by Blake Pierce. All rights reserved. Except as permitted under the U.S. Copyright Act of 1976, no part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed or transmitted in any form or by any means, or stored in a database or retrieval system, without the prior permission of the author. This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return it and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author. This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, organizations, places, events, and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictionally. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental. Jacket image Copyright Alessandro Cristiano, used under license from Shutterstock.com.

BOOKS BY BLAKE PIERCE

RACHEL GIFT MYSTERY SERIES

HER LAST WISH (Book #1)

HER LAST CHANCE (Book #2)

HER LAST HOPE (Book #3)

AVA GOLD MYSTERY SERIES

CITY OF PREY (Book #1)

CITY OF FEAR (Book #2)

CITY OF BONES (Book #3)

A YEAR IN EUROPE

A MURDER IN PARIS (Book #1)

DEATH IN FLORENCE (Book #2)

VENGEANCE IN VIENNA (Book #3)

A FATALITY IN SPAIN (Book #4)

SCANDAL IN LONDON (Book #5)

AN IMPOSTOR IN DUBLIN (Book #6)

SEDUCTION IN BORDEAUX (Book #7)

JEALOUSY IN SWITZERLAND (Book #8)

A DEBACLE IN PRAGUE (Book #9)

ELLA DARK FBI SUSPENSE THRILLER

GIRL, ALONE (Book #1)

GIRL, TAKEN (Book #2)

GIRL, HUNTED (Book #3)

GIRL, SILENCED (Book #4)

GIRL, VANISHED (Book 5)

GIRL ERASED (Book #6)

LAURA FROST FBI SUSPENSE THRILLER

ALREADY GONE (Book #1)

ALREADY SEEN (Book #2)

ALREADY TRAPPED (Book #3)

ALREADY MISSING (Book #4)

EUROPEAN VOYAGE COZY MYSTERY SERIES

MURDER (AND BAKLAVA) (Book #1)

DEATH (AND APPLE STRUDEL) (Book #2)

CRIME (AND LAGER) (Book #3)

MISFORTUNE (AND GOUDA) (Book #4)

CALAMITY (AND A DANISH) (Book #5)

MAYHEM (AND HERRING) (Book #6)

ADELE SHARP MYSTERY SERIES

LEFT TO DIE (Book #1)

LEFT TO RUN (Book #2)

LEFT TO HIDE (Book #3)

LEFT TO KILL (Book #4)

LEFT TO MURDER (Book #5)

LEFT TO ENVY (Book #6)

LEFT TO LAPSE (Book #7)

LEFT TO VANISH (Book #8)

LEFT TO HUNT (Book #9)

LEFT TO FEAR (Book #10)

LEFT TO PREY (Book #11)

LEFT TO LURE (Book #12)

LEFT TO CRAVE (Book #13)

THE AU PAIR SERIES

ALMOST GONE (Book#1)

ALMOST LOST (Book #2)

ALMOST DEAD (Book #3)

ZOE PRIME MYSTERY SERIES

FACE OF DEATH (Book#1)

FACE OF MURDER (Book #2)

FACE OF FEAR (Book #3)

FACE OF MADNESS (Book #4)

FACE OF FURY (Book #5)

FACE OF DARKNESS (Book #6)

A JESSIE HUNT PSYCHOLOGICAL SUSPENSE SERIES

THE PERFECT WIFE (Book #1)

THE PERFECT BLOCK (Book #2)

THE PERFECT HOUSE (Book #3)

THE PERFECT SMILE (Book #4)

THE PERFECT LIE (Book #5)

THE PERFECT LOOK (Book #6)

THE PERFECT AFFAIR (Book #7)

THE PERFECT ALIBI (Book #8)

THE PERFECT NEIGHBOR (Book #9)

THE PERFECT DISGUISE (Book #10)

THE PERFECT SECRET (Book #11)

THE PERFECT FAÇADE (Book #12)

THE PERFECT IMPRESSION (Book #13)

THE PERFECT DECEIT (Book #14)

THE PERFECT MISTRESS (Book #15)

THE PERFECT IMAGE (Book #16)

THE PERFECT VEIL (Book #17)

THE PERFECT INDISCRETION (Book #18)

THE PERFECT RUMOR (Book #19)

CHLOE FINE PSYCHOLOGICAL SUSPENSE SERIES

NEXT DOOR (Book #1)

A NEIGHBOR’S LIE (Book #2)

CUL DE SAC (Book #3)

SILENT NEIGHBOR (Book #4)

HOMECOMING (Book #5)

TINTED WINDOWS (Book #6)

KATE WISE MYSTERY SERIES

IF SHE KNEW (Book #1)

IF SHE SAW (Book #2)

IF SHE RAN (Book #3)

IF SHE HID (Book #4)

IF SHE FLED (Book #5)

IF SHE FEARED (Book #6)

IF SHE HEARD (Book #7)

THE MAKING OF RILEY PAIGE SERIES

WATCHING (Book #1)

WAITING (Book #2)

LURING (Book #3)

TAKING (Book #4)

STALKING (Book #5)

KILLING (Book #6)

RILEY PAIGE MYSTERY SERIES

ONCE GONE (Book #1)

ONCE TAKEN (Book #2)

ONCE CRAVED (Book #3)

ONCE LURED (Book #4)

ONCE HUNTED (Book #5)

ONCE PINED (Book #6)

ONCE FORSAKEN (Book #7)

ONCE COLD (Book #8)

ONCE STALKED (Book #9)

ONCE LOST (Book #10)

ONCE BURIED (Book #11)

ONCE BOUND (Book #12)

ONCE TRAPPED (Book #13)

ONCE DORMANT (Book #14)

ONCE SHUNNED (Book #15)

ONCE MISSED (Book #16)

ONCE CHOSEN (Book #17)

MACKENZIE WHITE MYSTERY SERIES

BEFORE HE KILLS (Book #1)

BEFORE HE SEES (Book #2)

BEFORE HE COVETS (Book #3)

BEFORE HE TAKES (Book #4)

BEFORE HE NEEDS (Book #5)

BEFORE HE FEELS (Book #6)

BEFORE HE SINS (Book #7)

BEFORE HE HUNTS (Book #8)

BEFORE HE PREYS (Book #9)

BEFORE HE LONGS (Book #10)

BEFORE HE LAPSES (Book #11)

BEFORE HE ENVIES (Book #12)

BEFORE HE STALKS (Book #13)

BEFORE HE HARMS (Book #14)

AVERY BLACK MYSTERY SERIES

CAUSE TO KILL (Book #1)

CAUSE TO RUN (Book #2)

CAUSE TO HIDE (Book #3)

CAUSE TO FEAR (Book #4)

CAUSE TO SAVE (Book #5)

CAUSE TO DREAD (Book #6)

KERI LOCKE MYSTERY SERIES

A TRACE OF DEATH (Book #1)

A TRACE OF MUDER (Book #2)

A TRACE OF VICE (Book #3)

A TRACE OF CRIME (Book #4)

A TRACE OF HOPE (Book #5)

CONTENTS

CHAPTER ONE

CHAPTER TWO

CHAPTER THREE

CHAPTER FOUR

CHAPTER FIVE

CHAPTER SIX

CHAPTER SEVEN

CHAPTER EIGHT

CHAPTER NINE

CHAPTER TEN

CHAPTER ELEVEN

CHAPTER TWELVE

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

CHAPTER NINETEEN

CHAPTER TWENTY

CHAPTER TWENTY ONE

CHAPTER TWENTY TWO

CHAPTER TWENTY THREE

CHAPTER TWENTY FOUR

CHAPTER TWENTY FIVE

CHAPTER TWENTY SIX

CHAPTER TWENTY SEVEN

EPILOGUE

CHAPTER ONE

When Diana St. James was a child, she used to sit on the carpet of her grandmother’s living room in Long Island, where she’d listen to Strauss’ waltzes and Mozart’s symphonies and all other kinds of classical music, lilting from an old-time record player, until she knew every note by heart. Sometimes, her grandfather would pull her up and spin her around the living room, while she stood upon his toes, giggling wildly.

She smiled at the thought as the express train smoothly bulleted toward Vienna, which was finally coming into view over the horizon. The green hills were giving way to small villages, and now the historic buildings of the city were visible, rising above the verdant trees.  If only my grandparents could see me now. Here, in the City of Music!

She peered out the window at the green, rolling countryside, full of sleepy towns with thatched roofs and residents who happily waved at her, as if they’d never seen a train before. Occasionally, the train would zip through a deep forest so lush she could almost smell the pine trees. The majestic, snow-capped Alps rose in the distance, and she marveled at the sheer size of them. She’d watched The Sound of Music a thousand times, but no movie could ever beat the real thing. Julie Andrews was right; the hills were alive. It sort of did make her want to run through them, spinning and singing.

Never had she thought she’d actually visit Austria. And Vienna? This was where all of the legends of classical music had flourished, learning the craft and creating their masterpieces.

A little thrill travelled down her spine, and she leaned so close to the window that she nearly pressed her nose against it.

She clutched her itinerary to her chest as she thought about what she’d like to do first when she stepped off the train. Always a planner, when she’d been the Marketing Director at Addict cosmetics in New York City, she’d followed her schedule to a T. When she left JFK airport, she’d actually mapped out stops at popular tourist sights down to the hour, only to have the schedule fall apart mere minutes after the plane touched down at Charles de Gaulle. But now, on her third stop on her whirlwind, year-long tour of Europe, her trusty, leather-bound book had changed. After adventures in France and in Italy, she’d come to expect that nothing ever went according to plan. 

So now, the book was a bit of a bucket list. It didn’t include stops at all the most popular tourist traps. Sure, it would be nice to see those, but instead, she’d filled the book with the things in her heart that she really wanted.

So her only plans for Austria were simple ones: Be moved to tears by beautiful music. 

In a city known for its music, she figured there’d be a lot of opportunity for that.

In fact, she’d taken the train to Vienna on a whim, without putting much thought into where she’d stay or what she’d do once she got here. How crazy. How unlike her. If only my coworkers at Addict could see me now! They might not even recognize me, she thought, as she shuffled to the edge of her seat, preparing to disembark.

As she did, an older woman toddled toward the exit, clutching the back of the seat with one hand and a cane with the other. When the slowing train suddenly lurched forward, she stumbled with it. Diana lunged over to steady her, quickly moved her bag from the seat, and guided the woman into it. Danke, the woman said. She had fiery red hair, streaked with white, and a cherubic, unwrinkled face.

Are you all right? Diana asked as the woman, a little stunned, settled into her seat.

Oh, yes. I’m in a bit of a rush to get off, she said with a pronounced accent. I’m meeting my grandchildren in Vienna and I don’t move as quickly as I used to. I don’t want the train pulling away before I’ve had a chance to drag my body off it!

Well, I’ll be happy to help you when you the train comes to a stop, Diana said, smiling until her eyes were caught by something out the opposite window. She gasped at the sight of a magnificent old castle, buried high in the mountains, swathed in wisps of fog, like some sort of fantasy story come to life.

Thank you. Is it your first time in Vienna?

Diana nodded. My first time in Austria. In Europe, actually. I’m spending a year here, seeing all the sights. I just came from Verona, Italy.

Oh, very good, very good.

Is that where you came from?

No, I live in Salzburg,  but my family is here in Vienna. We are going to dinner tonight, and I’ll be visiting with the grandchildren. What will you be seeing while you are here, may I ask?

Diana looked out the window. Well, I’m not sure. I—

"No doubt you will take in some music at the Musikverein?"

Diana’s eyes widened in surprise and she opened her itinerary. Actually, it’s funny you say that. The only thing I have on my bucket list is to—

The woman read her writing. "Be moved to tears by beautiful music? Ah, the last time I was here, that happened to me. I heard the most wonderful pianist at the great golden hall! She patted her chest. I could feel his notes deep in my soul."

Really? What was his name?

Lukas Huber, she said, pointing at the itinerary with one chubby finger. "You write that down. He is young, but he will be a household name, one day, like Herr Mozart. He performs his own compositions, but his work on Mozart’s Piano Concerto No. 21 was one of the most gorgeous renderings I’d ever heard. You know it, of course?"

Oh, of course, she said, the ritornello lilting through her head. It’s one of my very favorites, too. But I’m very partial to his twentieth.

The old woman nodded. I do not know music as well as you do, but you will love Vienna. You can almost hear the music in the air, when you’re here. It seems to travel on the breeze.

She laughed at the thought of that. When she was married, Evan had always liked complete silence. But Diana was the one who needed classical music to be playing in the background at all times. It soothed her, lifted her spirits. Music in the air was certainly better than what she had in Long Island, which was the sound of the highway traffic and police sirens, all the time. 

"Tell me . . . Is it possible, do you know, to get tickets to a performance at Musikverein last-minute? I grew up watching the New Year’s concerts from there on television. I heard that there was some sort of lottery to get seats . . .?"

She nodded. Unfortunately, it is quite difficult to get a seat. It’s old, so a rather small venue. For months and months, they are usually booked up. People make reservations years in advance.

Oh. Her spirits plummeted.

"But don’t fear! There is a possibility you can get a standing seat. Perhaps not at Musikverein as most of the tourists and university students go there, but the others, Volksoper or Theater an de Wien. It is possible."

Theater . . . you mean, isn’t that where Beethoven first performed many of his works?

That’s right.

She gasped. I totally forgot that was here! I have to go see it.

Yes, you must! For a music lover such as yourself, I am sure you will enjoy it . . .

She laughed. I know nothing about Vienna, but I do know a bit about classical music. My grandparents were very interested in it. My grandmother was a classical pianist, so she loved all of this. I wish she could see me now. In fact, I wish she could be with me now.

 Ah. Then you are in the right place. I’ll wish you luck! Maybe you’ll get a seat!

That would be a dream come true! she thought, writing the names of the theaters down on her itinerary as the train slowed to a stop at Vienna Hauptbahnhof, the main station in the city.

Diana grabbed her own bag and helped the woman up. She carefully escorted her down the aisle, helping her take the steps, one by one. When they reached the ground, the woman beamed at her. Do you know where you are headed?

Diana looked around at the modern train station as they walked to the doors. It was a bright, sunny day, and the sunshine slashed down through a diamond-shape window above them. She couldn’t wait to see the history, the gothic statues and stately marble facades of the old buildings. At least, most people here spoke English, so that would be helpful. She shrugged. Not really!

Suddenly, childish voices shouted in unison, Oma!

Diana turned to see two children, a girl in braids and knee-socks, and a little boy with a mop of blonde hair, running for the woman. They hugged her and spoke in German as a man and woman came and joined in on the hug.

Diana took a step away as the old woman greeted her family, feeling a pang of homesickness for her own children. Though Lily and Bea were grown with lives and families of their own, and though she and her husband Evan were now divorced, she still missed them. Funny, since she’d just seen them in Verona. Though it had been a crazy few days, in the end, she had to admit, she’d had fun with them.

The old lady smiled at her. This young woman was kind enough to help me off the train, she explained to her family, then squeezed Diana’s hand affectionately. Enjoy your time in Vienna! And oh, yes. . . She leaned in and whispered in a conspiratorial way, Since you don’t know where you’re headed, and since you’re a music lover, go that way.

Diana followed her pointed finger down the busy street. She could make out a few historic buildings mixed in with the modern ones, and statues of various historic and mythological figures, everywhere. There was so much to look at, she wasn’t sure what to see first. Meanwhile, travelers from all over flanked them on the wide sidewalk. That way?

Yes. I think you will like what you stumble upon. She winked.

All right. Thank you! Diana said as the family walked away, leaving her alone in the shadow of the station.

She shivered. It was definitely colder here than it had been in Verona. Her overbearing ex, Evan, had shown up in the middle of her Italy trip with his far-too-young fiancé, and it had thrown her ideas of exploring Italy alone into a tailspin. It had wound up fine, especially when her daughters Lily and Bea had joined them, but their appearance had kind of thrown a wrench into her trip’s purpose, which was for some much-needed, soul-searching alone time.

Now, she was truly alone. There was no one around to rely on, in case something went wrong.

That’s fine. That’s what you want. What you need!

Her phone dinged. She looked down to see a text from Bea, her newly-engaged youngest daughter, who was living in Japan: Are you all right?

Was she? Could she do this herself? Without the help of her family? Part of her thought that was why they’d showed up in Italy, unannounced—because they doubted she could handle vacationing on her own. Evan,