What do you think?
Rate this book
Maggie O'Shea Mystery #1
The Lost Concerto
A woman and her young son flee to a convent on a remote island off the Breton coast of France. Generations of seafarers have named the place Ile de la Brume, or Fog Island. In a chapel high on a cliff, a tragic death occurs and a terrified child vanishes into the mist.
The child’s godmother, Maggie O’Shea, haunted by the violent deaths of her husband and best friend, has withdrawn from her life as a classical pianist. But then a recording of unforgettable music and a grainy photograph surface, connecting her missing godson to a long-lost first love.
The photograph will draw Maggie inexorably into a collision course with criminal forces, decades-long secrets, stolen art and musical artifacts, and deadly terrorists. Her search will take her to the Festival de Musique, Aix-en-Provence, France, where she discovers answers to the mystery surrounding her husband’s death, an unexpected love—and a musical masterpiece lost for centuries.
A compelling blend of suspense, mystery, political intrigue, and romance, The Lost Concerto explores universal themes of loss, vengeance, courage, and love.
The child’s godmother, Maggie O’Shea, haunted by the violent deaths of her husband and best friend, has withdrawn from her life as a classical pianist. But then a recording of unforgettable music and a grainy photograph surface, connecting her missing godson to a long-lost first love.
The photograph will draw Maggie inexorably into a collision course with criminal forces, decades-long secrets, stolen art and musical artifacts, and deadly terrorists. Her search will take her to the Festival de Musique, Aix-en-Provence, France, where she discovers answers to the mystery surrounding her husband’s death, an unexpected love—and a musical masterpiece lost for centuries.
A compelling blend of suspense, mystery, political intrigue, and romance, The Lost Concerto explores universal themes of loss, vengeance, courage, and love.
430 pages, Hardcover
First published July 1, 2015
173 people are currently reading
3077 people want to read
About the author
Helaine Mario
8 books169 followersHELAINE MARIO - ABOUT THE WRITER
Best-selling author Helaine Mario grew up in NYC and is a graduate of Boston University. Now living in Arlington, VA, this mother of two, grandmother of five, and passionate advocate for women’s and children’s issues came to writing later in life. Her first novel, The Lost Concerto, won the Benjamin Franklin Award Silver Medal. Echoes on the Wind is her fifth novel and the fourth in her Maggie O’Shea Classical Music Suspense Series. Royalties from her books go to children’s music and reading programs. Helaine recently lost her husband, Ron, after 57 years together. Her new book echoes with loss, grief and, ultimately, the healing power of love.
Best-selling author Helaine Mario grew up in NYC and is a graduate of Boston University. Now living in Arlington, VA, this mother of two, grandmother of five, and passionate advocate for women’s and children’s issues came to writing later in life. Her first novel, The Lost Concerto, won the Benjamin Franklin Award Silver Medal. Echoes on the Wind is her fifth novel and the fourth in her Maggie O’Shea Classical Music Suspense Series. Royalties from her books go to children’s music and reading programs. Helaine recently lost her husband, Ron, after 57 years together. Her new book echoes with loss, grief and, ultimately, the healing power of love.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 128 reviews
November 10, 2016
The Lost Concerto combines suspense, romance, and international political intrigue with a musical thread running through the story. Sofia and her son flee from her husband to a convent off the coast of France, but a hired killer follows her. American Maggie O'Shea is grieving the death of her husband, an investigative reporter. She's in a dark place and has given up her career as a classical pianist. A CIA agent brings Maggie a CD and a recent photograph of her first love, a pianist that went missing after an explosion in Beirut thirty years ago. He asks her to come to France to help find Sofia's son and Maggie's first love. As the story unfolds, Maggie finds that Sofia's husband is a wealthy, dangerous man who is much more than a collector of art and rare musical manuscripts.
The wonderful French setting and the musical thread separate this book from a run of the mill mystery. There were a few times when I wondered how the intelligent, independent Maggie could be so reckless, putting both herself and a charming Colonel in terrible danger. At other points in the book, I admired her courage. The book had interesting characters the reader could care about, including the Colonel's three legged dog that had been injured in the Mideast. The story had themes of courage, grief, revenge, coping with disabilities, and the power of music.
The wonderful French setting and the musical thread separate this book from a run of the mill mystery. There were a few times when I wondered how the intelligent, independent Maggie could be so reckless, putting both herself and a charming Colonel in terrible danger. At other points in the book, I admired her courage. The book had interesting characters the reader could care about, including the Colonel's three legged dog that had been injured in the Mideast. The story had themes of courage, grief, revenge, coping with disabilities, and the power of music.
May 5, 2025
Check out all my reviews at: https://www.avonnalovesgenres.com
THE LOST CONCERTO (A Maggie O’Shea Mystery Book #1) by Helaine Mario is an exciting, fast moving, intricately plotted mystery/thriller that had me completely engrossed and guessing throughout. I am very glad this is a series, so I am able to follow these characters on future adventures.
Concert pianist Maggie O’Shea was devastated by the death of her best friend and the disappearance of her friend’s young son who is her godson. When her investigative journalist husband goes overseas to look into the murder and disappearance, he is killed in a boating accident. Now withdrawn, unable to play and find solace in her music, she hides away in her music shop.
When a CIA officer drops off an envelope with a recording of a piano concerto and a grainy picture, Maggie and the military officer sent to protect her are drawn into an international mystery and investigation into terrorism, politics, and a historic original music score. Will she find her find her missing godson before an international assassin kills them all?
This is one of those books that are impossible to put down. Maggie is depressed and has suffered so much loss in such a short time and yet she is determined to find her godson. The journey all over the beautifully described European sites made me feel like I was there with Maggie. The classical music content added a special interest for me throughout the story besides just being a fast-paced chase thriller. The mystery/thriller plot was intricately plotted with many red herrings and twists that continually surprised me even knowing that you just cannot always trust your belief in who is a good man and who is an evil man without knowing their pasts and reasons for what they believe in. The good and bad were all fully developed. The romance elements in this story were quite romantic with two broken people finding each other with no sex involved.
I highly recommend this well written, exciting mystery/thriller!
THE LOST CONCERTO (A Maggie O’Shea Mystery Book #1) by Helaine Mario is an exciting, fast moving, intricately plotted mystery/thriller that had me completely engrossed and guessing throughout. I am very glad this is a series, so I am able to follow these characters on future adventures.
Concert pianist Maggie O’Shea was devastated by the death of her best friend and the disappearance of her friend’s young son who is her godson. When her investigative journalist husband goes overseas to look into the murder and disappearance, he is killed in a boating accident. Now withdrawn, unable to play and find solace in her music, she hides away in her music shop.
When a CIA officer drops off an envelope with a recording of a piano concerto and a grainy picture, Maggie and the military officer sent to protect her are drawn into an international mystery and investigation into terrorism, politics, and a historic original music score. Will she find her find her missing godson before an international assassin kills them all?
This is one of those books that are impossible to put down. Maggie is depressed and has suffered so much loss in such a short time and yet she is determined to find her godson. The journey all over the beautifully described European sites made me feel like I was there with Maggie. The classical music content added a special interest for me throughout the story besides just being a fast-paced chase thriller. The mystery/thriller plot was intricately plotted with many red herrings and twists that continually surprised me even knowing that you just cannot always trust your belief in who is a good man and who is an evil man without knowing their pasts and reasons for what they believe in. The good and bad were all fully developed. The romance elements in this story were quite romantic with two broken people finding each other with no sex involved.
I highly recommend this well written, exciting mystery/thriller!
June 29, 2015
I won this book from Goodreads-First reads. If you want high drama, secrets, vengeance, intrigue and fast pace. This is the book for you. The author kept the reader in suspense, as the story unfolds in mystery. A lost child and lost music and a totally unexpected outcome. Loved it.
July 24, 2018
2 stars
Sophia “Fee” Orsini and her young son Tom flee for their lives. They end up on the Isle of Fog in a derelict chapel. She is found there and stabbed to death trying to save her son. Tom disappears.
Maggie O’Shea, a classical pianist, is Tom’s godmother. She is already devastated by the death of her husband Johnny in a sailing accident off the coast of France when she receives news of Fee’s death and the disappearance of her godson Tom. Maggie cannot play the piano any longer; she feels she just doesn’t have it in her any longer. Fee’s husband Victor Orsini is someone Maggie knows as a bad man. He is controlling and won’t allow Fee her friends or even her little dog any more.
Enter Simon Sugarman into the picture. He is a government agent who met Maggie earlier when she was asking questions about Fee’s death. He brings with him a provocative picture.
Maggie learns of the possibility of her first love and father to her now thirty-year old son Brian still being alive after he was reported missing in the bombing in Lebanon thirty years earlier. All of these things draw her back to France.
What follows is a race around France chasing clues.
This book was plodding at best. The story was erratic and inconsistent. The boy didn’t speak then he did. The characters were not likeable. Maggie was so into her own grief that she had no consideration for anyone else. I did not like her. The bad guy was – well just bad. I won’t be reading any more of this author’s novels.
Sophia “Fee” Orsini and her young son Tom flee for their lives. They end up on the Isle of Fog in a derelict chapel. She is found there and stabbed to death trying to save her son. Tom disappears.
Maggie O’Shea, a classical pianist, is Tom’s godmother. She is already devastated by the death of her husband Johnny in a sailing accident off the coast of France when she receives news of Fee’s death and the disappearance of her godson Tom. Maggie cannot play the piano any longer; she feels she just doesn’t have it in her any longer. Fee’s husband Victor Orsini is someone Maggie knows as a bad man. He is controlling and won’t allow Fee her friends or even her little dog any more.
Enter Simon Sugarman into the picture. He is a government agent who met Maggie earlier when she was asking questions about Fee’s death. He brings with him a provocative picture.
Maggie learns of the possibility of her first love and father to her now thirty-year old son Brian still being alive after he was reported missing in the bombing in Lebanon thirty years earlier. All of these things draw her back to France.
What follows is a race around France chasing clues.
This book was plodding at best. The story was erratic and inconsistent. The boy didn’t speak then he did. The characters were not likeable. Maggie was so into her own grief that she had no consideration for anyone else. I did not like her. The bad guy was – well just bad. I won’t be reading any more of this author’s novels.
February 18, 2015
This book was right up my alley. I was born and raised to read this book. Perhaps I can't be objective about it. The Lost Concerto is a thriller with a strong musical and artistic context, a sympathetic main character, lots of high drama (even melodrama in places), a cute child, a three-legged golden retriever, exciting chases and action scenes, and a mysterious intriguing romantic interest. If they should make this book into a movie I probably won't go to see it, because I have already seen the movie in my head. But it nevertheless seems to have been written with cinematic intent.
Advice to prospective readers: If you don't like classical music and don't appreciate art, you probably won't enjoy this book as much as I did, and you may think it is pretentious. It isn't. All the artistic and musical references are relevant. If you are interested in art and classical music but haven't had the exposure, take the trouble to look up the musical references that are unfamiliar to you, and the artists that are mentioned. It will add to your enjoyment.
The writing is, for the most part, excellent and polished. Towards the end of the book I sensed that the author was thinking: "Enough now!", and the style became more functional and purposeful. But there are descriptions in the book that are extremely vivid and allows the reader to truly immerse in the world of the story. I also appreciated that the villains were not unidimensional - they are portrayed in a psychologically coherent way, with depth.
Highly recommended to lovers of romance, thrillers, art, France, Italy, music and dogs.
I received an advance copy of this book from NetGalley for the purpose of reviewing it.
Advice to prospective readers: If you don't like classical music and don't appreciate art, you probably won't enjoy this book as much as I did, and you may think it is pretentious. It isn't. All the artistic and musical references are relevant. If you are interested in art and classical music but haven't had the exposure, take the trouble to look up the musical references that are unfamiliar to you, and the artists that are mentioned. It will add to your enjoyment.
The writing is, for the most part, excellent and polished. Towards the end of the book I sensed that the author was thinking: "Enough now!", and the style became more functional and purposeful. But there are descriptions in the book that are extremely vivid and allows the reader to truly immerse in the world of the story. I also appreciated that the villains were not unidimensional - they are portrayed in a psychologically coherent way, with depth.
Highly recommended to lovers of romance, thrillers, art, France, Italy, music and dogs.
I received an advance copy of this book from NetGalley for the purpose of reviewing it.
February 8, 2017
Received an ARC of this from netgalley over a year ago and finally gave up, DNF at around 20%. I didn't care for the melodramatic writing, didn't care for the woe-is-me MC, didn't care for a the story... all of it so blah I can't even remember what I read. I'm honestly surprised this book has such a high rating! The summary made it sound like a huge adventure but everything I read was boring. Maybe it picks up later, but if a book doesn't grab me by the time I get this far into it then I don't consider it worth the time it takes to read, especially when it's almost 500 pages -_-
July 6, 2015
The Lost Concerto is an emotionally haunting and mesmerizing Contemporary-Noir page-turning thriller. Mario’s storyline is timely and highly addictive made even better by her powerful, passionate narrative filled with darkness and light. Her dialogue is delightfully alluring and intense, filled with witty musical analogies and her settings both in Europe and stateside are breathtaking. Her characters are all magnificent both the good and the bad. And the piéce de résistance was her amazing, courageous, unsinkable heroine and her remarkable, masterful storytelling that engaged me from page one and didn’t let go even after, The End!
Nearly a year after her husband’s tragic death concert pianist Maggie O’Shea is paid a visit by an agent from the Department of Justice who opens a Pandora’s box of heartache, intrigue, murder and terror plots by showing her a simple photograph. In the picture is a remarkable likeness of her first love, the father of her son who perished in the Middle East 30 years ago. And if he’s somehow still alive why has he never contacted her and why is he pictured with the man responsible for the murder of her best friend and disappearance of her godson?
Military intelligence officer, Colonel Michael Beckett is still recovering wounds suffered in Afghanistan when he’s contacted by Sugarman who is looking for protection for a concert pianist he’s using as bait to catch a real bad guy.
DOJ agent Simon Sugarman “Sugar” is determined to get this vicious monster for all the right reasons and personal ones too. But he must be out of his, the end justifies the means, mind to think the rag tag team of amateurs and has-beens he’s put together to catch him will come out unscathed.
Nearly a year after her husband’s tragic death concert pianist Maggie O’Shea is paid a visit by an agent from the Department of Justice who opens a Pandora’s box of heartache, intrigue, murder and terror plots by showing her a simple photograph. In the picture is a remarkable likeness of her first love, the father of her son who perished in the Middle East 30 years ago. And if he’s somehow still alive why has he never contacted her and why is he pictured with the man responsible for the murder of her best friend and disappearance of her godson?
Military intelligence officer, Colonel Michael Beckett is still recovering wounds suffered in Afghanistan when he’s contacted by Sugarman who is looking for protection for a concert pianist he’s using as bait to catch a real bad guy.
DOJ agent Simon Sugarman “Sugar” is determined to get this vicious monster for all the right reasons and personal ones too. But he must be out of his, the end justifies the means, mind to think the rag tag team of amateurs and has-beens he’s put together to catch him will come out unscathed.
October 3, 2015
I don’t normally read thrillers, but the provocative title, cover, and summary on Netgalley drew me to this title. The writing is beautifully evocative of the French landscape. Maggie O’ Shea is a strong female character whose affinity for music matches my own. Well-placed musical references, a lost child, a lovable dog, romance, and suspense combine to make this fiercely inventive story telling. Highly recommended.
October 21, 2015
First and foremost, a large thank you to NetGalley, Helaine Mario, and Oceanview Publishing for providing me with a copy of this book, which allows me to provide you with this review.
Mario takes the reader into the world of classical music, adding layers of mystery and intrigue to offer a well-rounded piece. Magdalena 'Maggie' O'Shea has suffered much in the past year: her best friend was murdered, her godson kidnapped during the same event, and her husband died in a freak boating accident. A classically trained pianist, O'Shea chose to leave that world behind and focus solely on running her small music shop in the heart of Boston after this trifecta of horrible occurrences. When approached by the US Justice Department, O'Shea is given a photograph that spins her life into added disarray, purporting to depict a long-dead love interest. O'Shea agrees to head to France to lure a wanted felon out of hiding and undertake her own investigation into her godson's disappearance. O'Shea's escort, a former military man, proves to be more than she bargained for, at times hampering her ability to effectively complete the mission at hand. While in France, truths are revealed that turn up additional mysteries, involving an ever-expanding collection of characters. At issue is not only the honour of O'Shea's best friend and husband, but the chance to bring down a terror ring before more havoc can be enacted on US soil. Mario constructs this story as precisely as a classical composition, leaving the reader to marvel in its intricacies and powerful nuances.
This being my first experience with a Mario novel, I remained somewhat guarded as to what I might expect. Throughout the story, Mario returns to the classical music theme, weaving it not only into the plot, but adding wonderful decorative language to substantiate the Maggie O'Shea backstory. The characters prove believable and the plot crescendoes at a considerable pace, leaving the reader to pace themselves for the full effect. Set in multiple locations, Mario uses the various settings to her advantage and yet keeps the story from getting too lethargic, which is helpful as some of the content can become a little heavy. Mixing drama, thrills, and a little romance into the story, the reader is treated to a variety of character and plot developments, sure to impress as well as entertain. With only a few minor factual errors, Mario offers up a well-crafted story whose movements leave the reader guessing as to its final resolution.
Kudos, Madam Mario for such a wonderful novel. I hope to see more from you in the future.
Like/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/
Mario takes the reader into the world of classical music, adding layers of mystery and intrigue to offer a well-rounded piece. Magdalena 'Maggie' O'Shea has suffered much in the past year: her best friend was murdered, her godson kidnapped during the same event, and her husband died in a freak boating accident. A classically trained pianist, O'Shea chose to leave that world behind and focus solely on running her small music shop in the heart of Boston after this trifecta of horrible occurrences. When approached by the US Justice Department, O'Shea is given a photograph that spins her life into added disarray, purporting to depict a long-dead love interest. O'Shea agrees to head to France to lure a wanted felon out of hiding and undertake her own investigation into her godson's disappearance. O'Shea's escort, a former military man, proves to be more than she bargained for, at times hampering her ability to effectively complete the mission at hand. While in France, truths are revealed that turn up additional mysteries, involving an ever-expanding collection of characters. At issue is not only the honour of O'Shea's best friend and husband, but the chance to bring down a terror ring before more havoc can be enacted on US soil. Mario constructs this story as precisely as a classical composition, leaving the reader to marvel in its intricacies and powerful nuances.
This being my first experience with a Mario novel, I remained somewhat guarded as to what I might expect. Throughout the story, Mario returns to the classical music theme, weaving it not only into the plot, but adding wonderful decorative language to substantiate the Maggie O'Shea backstory. The characters prove believable and the plot crescendoes at a considerable pace, leaving the reader to pace themselves for the full effect. Set in multiple locations, Mario uses the various settings to her advantage and yet keeps the story from getting too lethargic, which is helpful as some of the content can become a little heavy. Mixing drama, thrills, and a little romance into the story, the reader is treated to a variety of character and plot developments, sure to impress as well as entertain. With only a few minor factual errors, Mario offers up a well-crafted story whose movements leave the reader guessing as to its final resolution.
Kudos, Madam Mario for such a wonderful novel. I hope to see more from you in the future.
Like/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/
Read
October 31, 2018"A woman scarred by death. And a man scarred by life." (quote from the book)
What can I say...this book hit all the right chords for me. Intense, haunting, atmospheric and completely compelling. From the first chapter to the last, I was sucked into the vortex of Maggie's pain, determination and passion as she grieves not only for the death of her husband, but for her best friend Sophia who was murdered and her godson, Tommy, who is missing. The book description gives a very good synopsis of the story.
The writing is beautifully descriptive and the pace is fast. You are given small clues as the characters have flashbacks. I enjoyed piecing together the pieces of the puzzle. The villains are diabolical, especially, Dane. He just gave me the creeps! They have been molded from their pasts and Maggie was in their sights. The mystery, the history and especially the music elements, held me in their grip. Many a time my throat constricted and my pulse quickened. I could not put this book down.
"She seemed helpless against the force that drew her. It was as if the instrument called to her in some ancient siren's language, drawing her to the keys the way the moon draws the tides. Inexorable. Inevitable." (quote from the book)
I highly recommend this mystery/suspense story and I look forward to reading book two in the Maggie O'Shea Mystery series! Bravo Ms. Mario!
What can I say...this book hit all the right chords for me. Intense, haunting, atmospheric and completely compelling. From the first chapter to the last, I was sucked into the vortex of Maggie's pain, determination and passion as she grieves not only for the death of her husband, but for her best friend Sophia who was murdered and her godson, Tommy, who is missing. The book description gives a very good synopsis of the story.
The writing is beautifully descriptive and the pace is fast. You are given small clues as the characters have flashbacks. I enjoyed piecing together the pieces of the puzzle. The villains are diabolical, especially, Dane. He just gave me the creeps! They have been molded from their pasts and Maggie was in their sights. The mystery, the history and especially the music elements, held me in their grip. Many a time my throat constricted and my pulse quickened. I could not put this book down.
"She seemed helpless against the force that drew her. It was as if the instrument called to her in some ancient siren's language, drawing her to the keys the way the moon draws the tides. Inexorable. Inevitable." (quote from the book)
I highly recommend this mystery/suspense story and I look forward to reading book two in the Maggie O'Shea Mystery series! Bravo Ms. Mario!
July 12, 2015
Things that I really liked about The Lost Concerto: The heroine was a beautiful, desirable forty-eight year old woman instead of a simpering twenty something. I liked that much of the action took place in locations that are dear to me--Cape Cod and Paris. I liked the musical tie in as I myself am an amateur musician. Unfortunately there was so much more I did not like about the story...Maggie was smarter than the CIA operatives that were supposedly protecting her. The dialogue between Maggie and Michael was painfully trite. Heck, the dialogue between Maggie and any character was painful. The twists and turns of the story really weren't that difficult to predict before they happened. The very ending of the story was so picture perfect it might make you nauseous. I see that my review stands out like a sore thumb amongst the four and five star ratings but The Lost Concerto didn't do it for me, not even as a guilty pleasure summer read.
June 26, 2016
1.4 stars. Maybe it comes from a masculine perspective, but this book and female protagonist was overwrought, too melodramatic, and filled with formulaic suspense-raising contrivances. Perhaps it's because I'd just previously read noir Sunset City with author Melissa Ginsburg's insightful and nuanced narrative clearly outshines and shames that of Helaine Mario. The Lost Concerto is 430 pages with over 90 chapters, written more like 5-page scenes of a screenplay that has 2 minutes shots here, then flips 2 minutes elsewhere, then 2 minutes elsewhere involving a different character, and peppered here to there. Imagine a movie with fast-paced, continuous scene changes with fade-in/fade-out cycles every 2 minutes, and you get the idea about the lack of continuity from this book's chopped-up storyline. You'd be better off reading Death in Brittany (3.5 stars, Jean-Luc Bannalec) if you want a good artisan-themed murder mystery set in France. 4-star international mysteries with an artisan theme are: The Goldfinch (Donna Tartt), The Miniaturist (Jessie Barton), and the similar Death at La Fenice (Donna Leon) and I Will Have Vengeance (Maurizio de Giovanni).
February 28, 2015
Author Helaine Mario excels at evocative portrayals of settings, with many a lavish description of the French landscape and cityscape. Equally compelling are the descriptions of the music, with classical performances comprising an integral part of the atmosphere and plot. Mario is a mistress of the slow reveal, with each layer of intrigue being uncovered at a carefully measured, tantalising pace.
For this reviewer, the nit picks are minor. The disability motif is laid on a little thick – there’s a one-eyed cat, a one-armed man, a three-legged dog – and the author is overly fond of knocking people out, with four chapters or sections ending in unconsciousness for the viewpoint character. Still, these need bother only the pedantic. Readers who enjoy mystery and thrillers will not be disappointed, classical music aficionados and Francophiles will be delighted, and there’s a fair bit to keep romance readers happy as well.
(ARC received via Netgalley.)
For this reviewer, the nit picks are minor. The disability motif is laid on a little thick – there’s a one-eyed cat, a one-armed man, a three-legged dog – and the author is overly fond of knocking people out, with four chapters or sections ending in unconsciousness for the viewpoint character. Still, these need bother only the pedantic. Readers who enjoy mystery and thrillers will not be disappointed, classical music aficionados and Francophiles will be delighted, and there’s a fair bit to keep romance readers happy as well.
(ARC received via Netgalley.)
November 23, 2015
Yes, I love music. I've played classical piano and clarinet since childhood. Yes, I love murder, mystery and intrigue. No, I did not love this book. Ugh. Picture Hallmark creating a made for TV movie of an Umberto Eco novel. Yeah, bad decision.
June 21, 2021
This book would be perfect to read in a comfortable chair with a glass of wine and great classical music playing.
Even without those things, I enjoyed it a lot. It's a semi-mystery with great characters and atmosphere and a good finish.
Even without those things, I enjoyed it a lot. It's a semi-mystery with great characters and atmosphere and a good finish.
August 30, 2015
THE LOST CONCERTO by Helaine Mario is an enjoyable suspense novel with hints of espionage/undercover investigation and intriguing twists, all hinging on a piece of World War II history (the discovery and sale of confiscated art and music). Though Maggie O'Shea believes she is seeking her missing godson, Tommy, after the murder of her best friend Sofia Orsini, she has unknowingly been sucked into a CIA hunt for former agent Victor Orsini, Sofia's husband, and his possible connection to terrorist attacks around the globe.
Told from the viewpoint of several key characters, including Maggie, the assassin, and Agent Sugarman, the reader eventually knows more than Maggie and sees how seriously her life is in danger--and that those she thought she knew may not be who she thought. The story unfolds through the parts of musical composition, from an Overture for the prologue then on through the parts of a Concerto to the Coda while also connecting to theatre using quotes from Shakespeare, Sophocles, and others at the opening of each "movement."
Helaine Mario grabs the reader's attention with a mysterious prologue or "Overture" set in Brittany where a woman and child hide in the Convent of the Fog as they await transport away from a cruel and abusive husband/father. It is clear the woman has stolen several things of value from her husband, in the hopes of securing her and her child's future--as well as an act of revenge--but their flight does not go as planned. Is it her husband or someone else who finds her in the chapel on the hill as they watch for the boat that will smuggle them to "freedom."
Enter Maggie O'Shea, a famous concert pianist who has recently lost her best friend, Sophia (known as Fee), as well as her husband, Johnny, an investigative journalist who died in a boating accident while looking for Fee's son, Maggie's godson. Maggie's son, Brian, also a pianist, and her partner in the Piano Cat studio and shop, Luze, and worried about Maggie's double grief, especially her disinterest in playing the piano.
Enter Agent Sugarman who hints that Johnny's death was not an accident but is connected to Victor Orsini and Sofia's death. Guilt in placing her husband in danger--that she sent him to Europe and his death--is exactly the nudge Sugarman hoped for to get Maggie involved. He is convinced she can draw Victor out. To assure Maggie's safety, Sugarman has enlisted retired Colonel Michael Beckett to accompany her to France with the assurance he will help her find and rescue her godson and keep her son safe. Then, to compound the problem--and the manipulation of Maggie--Sugarman shares a photo of Victor with several men, one of which is the suspected assassin. Her reaction confirms what Sugarman has long suspected: one of the men is her college sweetheart and the father of her grown son, Brian. He did not die in Beruit as they were all told, but is alive and apparently working with Victor.
Still working through her shock and grief, Maggie and Beckett fly to France and soon come face-to-face with the man who is likely responsible for Sophia's death. As Maggie and Beckett begin to fall in love, Beckett struggles over guilt in the knowledge that Sugarman has involved Maggie under false pretenses and so Beckett tries to decide whether he should help her pursue her true goal--rescuing Tommy. The pair also connect with those who might help them find both Zack (Brian's father) and Victor, but who can they really trust? Especially when their appearance convinces the assassin that his own secrets are at risk so it is best to eliminate Maggie and the "old soldier" who is supposed to be protecting her.
The ups and downs in the plot are suspenseful, the dramatic irony adding to the tension as Maggie seemingly finds what she is after but this knowledge only further endangers her AND poses new conflict. At the most exciting part, near the climax and moving into the conclusion, the reader will either be so caught up in the story to not notice or slightly disappointed at the pieces fitting together too neatly. (Maggie seems to too easily overcome a fear in order to survive a near final conflict--putting "mind over matter" to get through it--which borders on contrived and there is no hint or set-up for the resolution surrounding Tommy.) For this reason, I couldn't give the novel 5 stars, but I definitely enjoyed it and will recommend it, especially for music lovers. Maggie has the chance to share a bit about music with Beckett which is a lovely way to buttress the muscial architecture encompassing the story. A list of Maggie's favorite music is included at the back of the book.
Told from the viewpoint of several key characters, including Maggie, the assassin, and Agent Sugarman, the reader eventually knows more than Maggie and sees how seriously her life is in danger--and that those she thought she knew may not be who she thought. The story unfolds through the parts of musical composition, from an Overture for the prologue then on through the parts of a Concerto to the Coda while also connecting to theatre using quotes from Shakespeare, Sophocles, and others at the opening of each "movement."
Helaine Mario grabs the reader's attention with a mysterious prologue or "Overture" set in Brittany where a woman and child hide in the Convent of the Fog as they await transport away from a cruel and abusive husband/father. It is clear the woman has stolen several things of value from her husband, in the hopes of securing her and her child's future--as well as an act of revenge--but their flight does not go as planned. Is it her husband or someone else who finds her in the chapel on the hill as they watch for the boat that will smuggle them to "freedom."
Enter Maggie O'Shea, a famous concert pianist who has recently lost her best friend, Sophia (known as Fee), as well as her husband, Johnny, an investigative journalist who died in a boating accident while looking for Fee's son, Maggie's godson. Maggie's son, Brian, also a pianist, and her partner in the Piano Cat studio and shop, Luze, and worried about Maggie's double grief, especially her disinterest in playing the piano.
Enter Agent Sugarman who hints that Johnny's death was not an accident but is connected to Victor Orsini and Sofia's death. Guilt in placing her husband in danger--that she sent him to Europe and his death--is exactly the nudge Sugarman hoped for to get Maggie involved. He is convinced she can draw Victor out. To assure Maggie's safety, Sugarman has enlisted retired Colonel Michael Beckett to accompany her to France with the assurance he will help her find and rescue her godson and keep her son safe. Then, to compound the problem--and the manipulation of Maggie--Sugarman shares a photo of Victor with several men, one of which is the suspected assassin. Her reaction confirms what Sugarman has long suspected: one of the men is her college sweetheart and the father of her grown son, Brian. He did not die in Beruit as they were all told, but is alive and apparently working with Victor.
Still working through her shock and grief, Maggie and Beckett fly to France and soon come face-to-face with the man who is likely responsible for Sophia's death. As Maggie and Beckett begin to fall in love, Beckett struggles over guilt in the knowledge that Sugarman has involved Maggie under false pretenses and so Beckett tries to decide whether he should help her pursue her true goal--rescuing Tommy. The pair also connect with those who might help them find both Zack (Brian's father) and Victor, but who can they really trust? Especially when their appearance convinces the assassin that his own secrets are at risk so it is best to eliminate Maggie and the "old soldier" who is supposed to be protecting her.
The ups and downs in the plot are suspenseful, the dramatic irony adding to the tension as Maggie seemingly finds what she is after but this knowledge only further endangers her AND poses new conflict. At the most exciting part, near the climax and moving into the conclusion, the reader will either be so caught up in the story to not notice or slightly disappointed at the pieces fitting together too neatly. (Maggie seems to too easily overcome a fear in order to survive a near final conflict--putting "mind over matter" to get through it--which borders on contrived and there is no hint or set-up for the resolution surrounding Tommy.) For this reason, I couldn't give the novel 5 stars, but I definitely enjoyed it and will recommend it, especially for music lovers. Maggie has the chance to share a bit about music with Beckett which is a lovely way to buttress the muscial architecture encompassing the story. A list of Maggie's favorite music is included at the back of the book.
March 6, 2015
I received an advanced copy from Net Galley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you, Oceanview Publishing! This review contains minor spoilers.
I don't know where to start raving about The Lost Concerto... the great, strong female lead, the unusual love story, the music that fills the novel, or Shiloh, best kick-ass dog ever? A great page-turner, I couldn't put it down. Maggie O'Shea, a concert pianist whose grief over the death of her husband has banished music from her life, gets entangled in an international conspiracy of stolen art when she goes looking for her missing godson. Helen Mario uses places that made an impression on her - mostly in France, but also in Italy, to set the intrigue. In a sea of teenage heroines falling in love with young dashing studs, Maggie stands out for being a middle-age widow, who is sexy, strong and smart. I loved how the author references pieces of music, which you can't help but hear in your head as you read. But what I liked most of all is her compassion to animals. I don't watch movies where animals are mistreated. When animal cruelty rears its ugly head in books, I skip through the passages. In The Lost Concerto all creatures, big and small, are not plot devices, but characters with a soul, as it should be. Shiloh is based on Ms. Mario's real-life assistant, Stella "Fantastico" Shea, her three-legged rescue dog. Any character who will run into eight lanes of traffic to protect a dog is a heroine in my book. Five stars!!!
I don't know where to start raving about The Lost Concerto... the great, strong female lead, the unusual love story, the music that fills the novel, or Shiloh, best kick-ass dog ever? A great page-turner, I couldn't put it down. Maggie O'Shea, a concert pianist whose grief over the death of her husband has banished music from her life, gets entangled in an international conspiracy of stolen art when she goes looking for her missing godson. Helen Mario uses places that made an impression on her - mostly in France, but also in Italy, to set the intrigue. In a sea of teenage heroines falling in love with young dashing studs, Maggie stands out for being a middle-age widow, who is sexy, strong and smart. I loved how the author references pieces of music, which you can't help but hear in your head as you read. But what I liked most of all is her compassion to animals. I don't watch movies where animals are mistreated. When animal cruelty rears its ugly head in books, I skip through the passages. In The Lost Concerto all creatures, big and small, are not plot devices, but characters with a soul, as it should be. Shiloh is based on Ms. Mario's real-life assistant, Stella "Fantastico" Shea, her three-legged rescue dog. Any character who will run into eight lanes of traffic to protect a dog is a heroine in my book. Five stars!!!
July 17, 2016
I must say this outright to avoid confusion in my review. I am not really into classical music, I haven’t seen one nor been into one. I’m not into musicals either. Although the only musical closest to me was the movie Moulin Rogue, just because I’m a big fan of Ewan McGregor.
However, after I read The Lost Concerto, I suddenly had this urge to watch a musical and sit on the front row.
Maggie was such an interesting character. The death of her husband and her best friend plus a missing godson devastated her. Her life somehow lost some spark as she dealt with her loss. Then a CIA agent shook her world when she saw a photograph of the man she had thought was dead. Determined to uncover the truth, Maggie went through a lot of hurdles just to be able to get all the answers to her unending questions.
This book is quite long, as it was very detailed and descriptive, but the long read is worth it. The story of Maggie and her son and the musical plot was deeply thought of and very endearing. There was the really intriguing mystery that kept me turning the pages. With an excellent book like The Lost Concerto, I wouldn’t mind reading this over again.
However, after I read The Lost Concerto, I suddenly had this urge to watch a musical and sit on the front row.
Maggie was such an interesting character. The death of her husband and her best friend plus a missing godson devastated her. Her life somehow lost some spark as she dealt with her loss. Then a CIA agent shook her world when she saw a photograph of the man she had thought was dead. Determined to uncover the truth, Maggie went through a lot of hurdles just to be able to get all the answers to her unending questions.
This book is quite long, as it was very detailed and descriptive, but the long read is worth it. The story of Maggie and her son and the musical plot was deeply thought of and very endearing. There was the really intriguing mystery that kept me turning the pages. With an excellent book like The Lost Concerto, I wouldn’t mind reading this over again.
June 21, 2015
Maggie O'Shea has lost her best friend and then her husband, her godson is missing and she has retreated from her world of music in her grief. Then a CIA agent arrives with a photograph of a man she has long thought dead in the presence of her dead best friend's husband. Can the father of her son be alive and tied into the death of her friend and missing godson. As she is drawn more and more into finding her godson and her long lost love she begins to feel herself become more engaged with life and she knows she will not stop until she has found her godson and the man she has long thought dead. The retired military man who has been sent to find both does not want her help but she refuses to leave Paris and as they work together she realizes she is drawn to this quiet man who has retreated from his own life. Can they find her godson before it's to late. Will she be able to find her music again thru all she has endured. I could not put this book down once I started to read as I just kept thinking Maggie O'Shea you will find your music again.
June 30, 2015
Maggie is a concert pianist whose music has left her after the death of her husband and the disappearance of her godson. While she struggles with these, she is approached by someone who wants her to help solve both cases. Is everything really as it seems?
This book sucked me in almost from the beginning, and it was very hard to put it down before I finished reading. There's music, of course -- lots and lots of music!, art, a mystery, a far-less-than-helpless female main character, a dog you can't help but love, and a touch of romance as well ... a little something for everyone. I will definitely be on the lookout for future books by Ms. Mario.
I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
This book sucked me in almost from the beginning, and it was very hard to put it down before I finished reading. There's music, of course -- lots and lots of music!, art, a mystery, a far-less-than-helpless female main character, a dog you can't help but love, and a touch of romance as well ... a little something for everyone. I will definitely be on the lookout for future books by Ms. Mario.
I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
March 5, 2017
A novel to live through.
Fascinating reading. A unique and we'll thought out plot. My only criticism is that it is a bit choppy. I ended up rereading the last 25% of the book to make certain I didn't miss anything. The first time I read the ending I gobbled it up because I was so anxious to see how it ended. Awesome conclusion to the book. This could easily be made into a series, and I truly hope she does so. I highly recommend if you are looking ton read something with depth.
Fascinating reading. A unique and we'll thought out plot. My only criticism is that it is a bit choppy. I ended up rereading the last 25% of the book to make certain I didn't miss anything. The first time I read the ending I gobbled it up because I was so anxious to see how it ended. Awesome conclusion to the book. This could easily be made into a series, and I truly hope she does so. I highly recommend if you are looking ton read something with depth.
April 29, 2017
OMG ... just finished this wonderful read!!! Very nicely written. I found myself engaged with the main characters and intrigued with the plot twists. The ending wrapped up all the loose ends nicely and left me smiling! I recommend this novel for readers of mysteries and international intrigue ... and lovers of classical music!! Joani & Marc: you have to read this one!!!
July 22, 2015
4.5/5.0
Holy smokes, this story takes a reader on an intriguing journey!
Read full review in the 2015 July/August issue of InD'tale Magazine.
Holy smokes, this story takes a reader on an intriguing journey!
Read full review in the 2015 July/August issue of InD'tale Magazine.
July 15, 2017
This is a well written, exciting story with a strong classical musical theme throughout. I loved reading it...the characters are well done, the romance may be a bit over-the-top, but still fun and well done. I will have to see if this author has written any other books.
December 2, 2015
This captivating book about murder and mystery, (and even a bit of a super romantic love story), kept me on the edge of my seat the entire time! In fact, it was SO GOOD. that I read the over 400 page book in just 4 days! I had to stop on three of the days for something or because I had to be somewhere, but on one of the days, I was reading it at night before bed, and even though it was super late and I was so incredibly tired, I couldn’t put it down. I would tell myself, oh the chapters are only a couple pages long, I’ll just read the next one, I have to find out what is happening! And then I ended up reading about 15 more chapters that very night. And to be honest, I had a hard time falling asleep even then, I was so engrossed in the characters and the story. I couldn’t stop thinking about it, and I was dying to read more and know what was happening!!
This is exactly how the book goes from the moment you pick it up and read the first page! You will have a hard time putting it down at any point during the book, because every chapter is so incredibly intense, and you’re dying to find out what is happening, you just have to keep reading! Starting from the very beginning you read about a murder happening first thing, so it already had me wondering, what is happening. who is the killer? Why did this happen? What happened to the victim’s little boy? Once you read on, you find out that there are actually several different stories happening at once. In fact, Mario writes the story from several different perspectives, so you get a glimpse into the mind of each character in the book, even the killers, which I absolutely loved. You feel like you really get to know each character and it’s fun getting a direct look into their mind to know what each character is thinking and feeling about the situation.
Mario brilliantly keeps you going back and forth between characters so you learn a little here and a little there and you’re wondering what they will do next, but then it’s on the the next character and the next story. I found this to be incredibly addictive and I think was a big part of the reason why I just couldn’t put the book down!
So what’s the story about, right? Well you know some murder is involved by now! The story focuses on classical pianist who has just lost her husband and best friend in the last 8 months. Her godchild (son of her best friend who has been murdered) is missing in Europe, and the grieving pianist, Maggie, is desperate to find him, as she had promised herself and her dead best friend, Sophia, to always keep him safe.
Maggie is soon visited by the FBI hoping to get her help on solving the case as well. What she doesn’t know right away, is that the possible murderer of her best friend may be tied to stolen art, music, and terrorism! And that the country has reason to believe that an attack will be made on US ground very soon if Sophia’s murderer, the possible terrorist funding the operation, is not found and put to a stop immediately!
When reading “The Lost Concerto” you will find a whole lot of other crazy plots wrapped around this as well, as each character has their own thing going on, and you soon find out how they are all tied to each other. The story will keep you guessing just how this book will end, and who exactly played what role in each of these wild mysteries. For example, when Agent Sugarman of the FBI visits Maggie to get her help on the case, she is shown a picture of her first love, and the father of her 30 year old son, thought to have died in war 30 years earlier. Maggie soon makes it her mission to not only find her Godchild lost somewhere in Europe, but to find the answers to this mystery, and see if indeed, her son’s father is alive and well, living in France. Maggie is then rushed to Paris where she meets up with a vet working the case to stop the terrorist, and on a her own mission to find her own answers to these gripping mysteries of her missing godson and long lost lover. The rest… well that is up to you to find out in this intriguing, got you on the edge-of-your-seat summer read!
I absolutely LOVED reading this book and highly recommend it! It is the perfect read for anyone! It will have you sitting on the edge of your seat, wondering what will happen next, trying to solve the mysteries, and keeping you completely hooked until you finish! In fact, towards the end of the book, a huge twist gets thrown in that actually gave me the chills, and I had goosebumps while I read it! I have actually never had a book have this kind of effect on me before! That is just how good it really is! It is no doubt, Very well written! I just hope Holywood will end up making the movie!
This is exactly how the book goes from the moment you pick it up and read the first page! You will have a hard time putting it down at any point during the book, because every chapter is so incredibly intense, and you’re dying to find out what is happening, you just have to keep reading! Starting from the very beginning you read about a murder happening first thing, so it already had me wondering, what is happening. who is the killer? Why did this happen? What happened to the victim’s little boy? Once you read on, you find out that there are actually several different stories happening at once. In fact, Mario writes the story from several different perspectives, so you get a glimpse into the mind of each character in the book, even the killers, which I absolutely loved. You feel like you really get to know each character and it’s fun getting a direct look into their mind to know what each character is thinking and feeling about the situation.
Mario brilliantly keeps you going back and forth between characters so you learn a little here and a little there and you’re wondering what they will do next, but then it’s on the the next character and the next story. I found this to be incredibly addictive and I think was a big part of the reason why I just couldn’t put the book down!
So what’s the story about, right? Well you know some murder is involved by now! The story focuses on classical pianist who has just lost her husband and best friend in the last 8 months. Her godchild (son of her best friend who has been murdered) is missing in Europe, and the grieving pianist, Maggie, is desperate to find him, as she had promised herself and her dead best friend, Sophia, to always keep him safe.
Maggie is soon visited by the FBI hoping to get her help on solving the case as well. What she doesn’t know right away, is that the possible murderer of her best friend may be tied to stolen art, music, and terrorism! And that the country has reason to believe that an attack will be made on US ground very soon if Sophia’s murderer, the possible terrorist funding the operation, is not found and put to a stop immediately!
When reading “The Lost Concerto” you will find a whole lot of other crazy plots wrapped around this as well, as each character has their own thing going on, and you soon find out how they are all tied to each other. The story will keep you guessing just how this book will end, and who exactly played what role in each of these wild mysteries. For example, when Agent Sugarman of the FBI visits Maggie to get her help on the case, she is shown a picture of her first love, and the father of her 30 year old son, thought to have died in war 30 years earlier. Maggie soon makes it her mission to not only find her Godchild lost somewhere in Europe, but to find the answers to this mystery, and see if indeed, her son’s father is alive and well, living in France. Maggie is then rushed to Paris where she meets up with a vet working the case to stop the terrorist, and on a her own mission to find her own answers to these gripping mysteries of her missing godson and long lost lover. The rest… well that is up to you to find out in this intriguing, got you on the edge-of-your-seat summer read!
I absolutely LOVED reading this book and highly recommend it! It is the perfect read for anyone! It will have you sitting on the edge of your seat, wondering what will happen next, trying to solve the mysteries, and keeping you completely hooked until you finish! In fact, towards the end of the book, a huge twist gets thrown in that actually gave me the chills, and I had goosebumps while I read it! I have actually never had a book have this kind of effect on me before! That is just how good it really is! It is no doubt, Very well written! I just hope Holywood will end up making the movie!
July 15, 2015
The Lost Concerto The Lost Concerto starts out on a late August night in Brittany France, where a woman and her little son are on the run. They hide at Norte-Dame du Sauf Retour, Our Lady of the Safe Return, she thinking that this would be a safe place until she figures out what to do next. Unfortunately their hiding place is not safe from the hunter and the woman dies and the little boy flees hoping to get away.Maggie O'Shea, a classical pianist, has not played since the death of her husband in a boating accident. Her husband, Johnny O'Shea, a journalist is on a mission to see what happened to Maggie's best friend Sofia and her little boy Tommy. Maggie is still grieving but often feels Johnny's presence urging her on and to continue through her grief because she blames herself for his death as she was the one who asked him to try to find out what happened to her best friend and who now has Tommy.Maggie has a close friend in the FBI and he enlists Maggie's help because picture surfaces that links a lost love to little Tommy.. The reason? Well it turns out that the murder of her friend Sofia could be part of an investigation into stolen art, music and terrorism. The person that the FBI needs to find turns out to be a former lover and father of her son Brian, who is also a pianist, Zachary Law was reported MIA years back. Zach is the one who may hold the key to this entire mystery if he is alive. Through the FBI agent, Maggie is to have a man by the name of Beckett who just wants to be at home in the Blue Ridge Mountains, a kind of crusty person with baggage of his own along with her as she travels to France. Together they need to see if they can find Zach Law and figure out who and why Sofia Orsini was murdered and what about the musical masterpiece that has been missing for years.This is one of those mysteries that you have to keep turning the pages because you just have to know what happens next. Lots of twists and turns to keep the reader interested. Lots of suspense, political intrigue and lost love. This novel has elements of vengeance, loss and courage. There are lots of good and enough bad guys to keep the reader interested. I enjoyed the authors way of telling a story with a fast paced, page turning theme and well thought out characters. I recommend this book to anyone who loves a well written, compelling story. This is the author's second suspense novel, the first was Firebird published in 2013.I received a copy of the book for review and was not monetarily compensated for said review. - See more at: http://www.celticladysreviews.blogspo...
February 25, 2015
An excellent book and a fantastic, enthralling read, full of unexpected twists and turns. Lovely descriptive language and evocative presentation of places, with a well-developed and intriguing plot and a wealth of credible and, sometimes, flawed characters. The central character is engaging and likeable and she brings out a real desire in the reader to cheer her on to conquer both the demons within herself and those in society that have created havoc in her world.
The book is captivating from beginning to end and the way the different plots and characters are woven together works effectively. The fast pace and well structured storyline ensure readers will not want to put it down until they reach the end. The ending itself leaves the reader with unanswered questions and pause for thought, without leaving them unsatisfied or let down. Definitely a must-read for anybody who enjoys a good mystery thriller.
The book is captivating from beginning to end and the way the different plots and characters are woven together works effectively. The fast pace and well structured storyline ensure readers will not want to put it down until they reach the end. The ending itself leaves the reader with unanswered questions and pause for thought, without leaving them unsatisfied or let down. Definitely a must-read for anybody who enjoys a good mystery thriller.
November 30, 2023
I should have know when I broke out laughing reading the back cover that this was not the book for me. Remote island, murder, withdrawn classical pianist, stolen art, lost musical masterpiece, deadly terrorists, grainy photograph, missing godson, unexpected love -- really -- all in one book. I barely made it through the first 40 pages of simplistic writing. But I am a person who has to know how the story ends. So, I skipped to the last chapter. The whole book recapped in three pages -- one thing about a writer who has to remind you every three pages of what has gone before, you just have to read the last few pages to know the whole story.
I do enjoy light reading, at times, but the writing style in this novel is markedly undeveloped, like a person who isn't a writer who decided to take it up as a hobby, but probably should have stuck with knitting or jigsaw puzzles.
I do enjoy light reading, at times, but the writing style in this novel is markedly undeveloped, like a person who isn't a writer who decided to take it up as a hobby, but probably should have stuck with knitting or jigsaw puzzles.
March 10, 2015
pub date 01/31/15
A captivating DEBUT novel featuring a quirky pianist who is recruited by the CIA to help locate an international financier. What's her connection? Her best friend is his deceased wife, her godson is being held, and her presumed-dead husband is very much alive. Her t-shirts say Etude, Brute? and Pianists Duet Better and Handel With Care, but there's not much fun as the team searches from the US through Italy and England. This story will keep you on the edge of your seat, and when you turn the last page, you'll be yearning for more.
A captivating DEBUT novel featuring a quirky pianist who is recruited by the CIA to help locate an international financier. What's her connection? Her best friend is his deceased wife, her godson is being held, and her presumed-dead husband is very much alive. Her t-shirts say Etude, Brute? and Pianists Duet Better and Handel With Care, but there's not much fun as the team searches from the US through Italy and England. This story will keep you on the edge of your seat, and when you turn the last page, you'll be yearning for more.
June 28, 2015
Full disclosure: I won an autographed, first edition of this book from GoodReads. That said, I thoroughly enjoyed this book and think it has a little something for everyone; mystery, intrigue, suspense, love and the power of music. A great read that serves to remind us all how important music is in life whether it be for expression, healing, communication or pure enjoyment while simultaneously taking us on an adventure to seek the truth.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 128 reviews