Now the Arbiter is claiming more and more complete power over the lives of the citizens on Lindos. His daily edicts restrict curfews, movement and associations, and even colors which may or may not be worn by the planet’s inhabitants. Violynne’s world has slowly shrunk to the confines of the house her father built on the banks of Lake Sere, a place so remote it lay beyond the influence of the Arbiter - until now.

When the house’s security is breached using technology available only to the Arbiter, it appears as though his tightening control has finally reached directly into Violynne’s once-safe sanctuary. But the intruder has only stolen one item from the home’s vast collection of precious artifacts - a violin.

Violynne soon finds herself in the midst of political turmoil and personal danger as the Arbiter’s noose tightens. Einhart and Aunt Madelyn appear to be other than the kindly butler and eccentric relative she once thought them to be. When one disappears and the other is arrested, Violynne is truly alone traveling through a planetary underground filled with nefarious characters and danger around every corner.

Follow this plucky young heroine as she works to uncover the mystery behind her parents’ disappearance and finds even more intrigue than she ever imagined. Masterfully written, this fast-paced, extra-planetary mystery will satisfy readers of science fiction and fantasy and would be a great selection for introducing young readers to this genre. Kudos to Susan Maupin Schmid for this outstanding addition to young adult literature.