The Unfinished Sonata

Annie's Attic Mysteries #13

by K.D. McCrite

While cleaning in the library of Grey Gables, Annie Dawson comes across a music box, left to her as the crowning piece of a collection her grandmother had assembled. Beautifully carved, it is the only box in the collection that won't play. Where did her grandmother get the box, and why had it never been repaired? These questions will haunt Annie and will lead her down one of the most painful -- and yet one of the most romantic -- journeys she has taken during the time she has spent sorting out the mysteries hidden within the walls of Grey Gables.

Genres: Mystery, Cozy Mystery, Fiction

224 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2011

About the author

Also writes as Sydney Hope Archer.

K.D. McCrite was raised on a small dairy farm in the Ozarks. She has a degree in psychology from Drury University and has worked as a librarian and as a mental health caseworker.

She currently resides in Arkansas.

Reviews

[Josephine Briggs · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of a group of books written by different ladies, sweet stories about good folks. The book writes about family relations, keeping family history, not letting it ever be forgotten. The books are set in Stony Point, Maine, protagonist is Annie Dawson who owns a beautiful old Victorian home overlooking the ocean. The house, named Grey Gables was left to her by her grandmother.

The book begins when Annie finds a beautiful, hand carved music box on a shelf high above the other music boxes in the library. Grandmother Betsy never threw anything away. Annie and her best friend, Alice, are interested in so much. But Alice is having problems. Her two businesses, jewelry and home products are not doing well. Annie plans to help Alice, but also wants to find out the history of the beautiful, old music box. Annie always enjoys a challenge.

Annie begins looking into the history of the old music box, who built it? who was it for? who was the person, Olivia, to whom the beautiful, unfinished piece of music was for? To know what you want in your life and follow it through. Never give up.

Annie is a good hearted woman who loves people and will do anything for anyone. She receives phone calls from a boy she met when she was fourteen and had a big crush on. Alice won't stop teasing her about this. Annie's heart is still with her deceased husband, Wayne. She misses her daughter, son-in-law and twin grandkids who live in her old hometown in Texas. There are so many interesting characters in these books.

There is much about knitting, crocheting and other needle works, types of materials and teaching children about these types of crafts. Also much about food. Many think Alice should open a bakery.

These books are popular and attract many readers.

[Linda Klager · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is book # 13 in the Annie's Attic Mysteries Series. What an excellent book! Annie's kindness helped another to overcome tragedy and despair. I love music and the story of the Unfinished Sonata was so interesting. It is never too late to change your life for the better.

[Susan · Rating 1 out of 5]

This series is built as a mystery series, but this example has no crime and only an old, old sad story that sympathetic Annie is able to clear up with just a few kind words. It's set in coastal Maine.

[Debby · Rating 5 out of 5]

Once I start these books, I can't put them down. I read this one overnight. It may be hard to fully describe what this series does. It takes you to a place where people care about each other. Life in a small town that has it ups and downs but your neighbors and friends are there to help you.
The focus of this book is the mystery behind a broken music box. The main characters are there and a few new ones are introduced. Annie also does a little soul searching as she is thinking about venturing on to a new relationship.
I wonderful read about a warm Maine seaside on a cold winter day.

[Donna · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was my favorite story out of all the Annie's Attic Mysteries I've read. K.D. McCrite wove a wonderful mystery. It was such a touching story that I found myself not wanting it to end. I kept putting it down so I could dwell on the parts I'd read and didn't want it to end too soon. I collect trinket boxes so that made this story even more special to me. I will definitely be watching for any other books by this author.

[Pat Jorgenson Waterchilde · Rating 4 out of 5]

A nice gentle read. Annie and Alice are friends and neighbors. A music box is found that will not play and has a hidden compartment. Both women venture off to see if someone can unlock the music box, repair it and unlock the secret that is hidden.
An easy read that I enjoyed!

[Brenna · Rating 3 out of 5]

My rating: 3 1/2 out of 5 stars

Just didn't capture me the way others in the series have, still a cute story though.

[Wen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read this in two days. I love these books. They are soooooo cozy. One could almost join them for coffee. Would be nice to live in the town.

[Rita Caldwell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great mystery with lots of surprises!

[Jeanette Violet · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brought tears to my eyes.

[Irene Marston · Rating 5 out of 5]

annie mysteries are always a good read but this one one was really about friendship and family

[Debra · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love these stories/ mysteries about Annie and her Maine cohorts…

[Barbara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great story for young and old

[Michele Schnabel · Rating 3 out of 5]

A bit slow, mundane activity and musings about the box. There was a very good ending. I’m glad that I read it.

[Cris · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the best "Annie's Attic" I have read! I will be looking for my McCrite. It was so good I read it in one day.

[Terri Lynn · Rating 3 out of 5]

In this book in the Annie's Attic series of cozy mysteries, Annie has two goals- to help her friend Alice who makes a living selling Princessa jewelry and Divine Decor products through home parties and solving the mystery of the gorgeous music box her grandma Betsy owned but never let Annie handle. It won't play and Annie can hear something rustling inside.

Of course Annie pursues the music box mystery and in the course of working on it, brings some romance to Stella as a side benefit. To help Alice, who has suffered loss of income through decreased sales of her products, Annie throws a weekend cookout and invites the whole town so Alice can sell Princessa, Divine Decor and her homemade baked goods (everyone thinks she needs to own a bakery). Right in the middle of all of this comes another mystery- why is a boy who Annie crushed on when she was 14 now a grown man calling her and hanging up without leaving any messages? How did he know where she was and her last name (married name)? Is he a weirdo stalking her or does he have romantic intentions. Read the story and find out.

[Sandee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this cozy mystery, a book in a series called, Annie's Attic Mysteries. Once again, I read this one out of order, but I don't think it matters since they all have great reviews and I plan on reading them all. Set in Stony Point, Maine, with the members of the Hook and Needle Club, a member has found a mysterious music box, one of many her Grandmother collected. Annie loved listening to all of them except for one that stayed on top of her grandmother's three-point shelf and was never touched. It becomes a mystery, due to something making a rustling noise inside when its moved or shaken gently, and the fact it won't play. With the help of Annie's best friend, Alice and others in the small town of Stony Point...it becomes a lovely, sometimes funny, sometimes romantic, and heart-breaking mysterious puzzle. If you like cozy mysteries, I'm sure you will like these. Each one is written by a different author and I think their are about 15 books in all.

[Sheri Jesse · Rating 5 out of 5]

Quick, easy read. Once again Annie finds a treasure in her grandmother's house that she MUST solve. Annie always wonders if the mystery is better off unsolved but her curiosity always gets the better of her but it all turns out ok in the end. Also in this story, Annie's old friend calls out of the blue and wants to meet her while he is in the area. Alice tries to make more of this than Annie is comfortable with given her feelings for her late husband Wayne. Annie is also concerned about Alice who has not had that much business lately and decides to thrown a town bbq, Princessa jewelry, Divine Décor, and bake sale to help her friend out. Yes, there is a lot going on in this story but it all fits together seamlessly. Another great installment in this series.

[Brenda Howell · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is an easy read. If you like books with small town life, creativity, family values and mild mysteries, this series is perfect for you. I have read several other books in this series and each book is written by a different author so the story line and characters are the same, but the style of writing has slight variations.

[Deliasue · Rating 4 out of 5]

As usual I read this one out of sequence it's #13. I all ready read #1.
It was very hard to put down. I love a good mystery and the music box was very important in this mystery. It is a true love story. It goes to show you love has no expiration date or age limit.

[Pat · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very Good. A music box that doesn't play, a person from Annie's past and Alice's business is slumping--all comes out well!

[Janet · Rating 5 out of 5]

The story about how the unfinished sonata ended up in a box with a secret compartment in the attic of Grey Gables turned out to be sad. However, the uplifting conclusion is well worth the reading!

[Kathie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nice simple mystery that made for a good Saturday read.

[Diane Davis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love Annies Attic mysteries.

[Paula Shreckhise · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read this in one day! Another winner about Annie's Attic. Mysteries abound and healing takes place!