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When Camryn Paine’s student assistant asks for her help, Camryn finds it hard to say no. The Gleason family, alumni of the music conservatory where Camryn works, hired a company to assist with a move across town. Now the company, along with a truck full of their possessions has vanished.

The family is desperate to find their belongings, especially a violin that goes back multiple generations. The request strikes a sentimental chord with Camryn.

Camryn attempts to use her refined audio abilities to pinpoint anyone who may be trying to pass the violin off as their own—and she suspects it’s someone at the music conservatory.

But the guilty party is determined to keep Camryn silent—permanently, if necessary.

374 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 17, 2021

99 people are currently reading
73 people want to read

About the author

Christy Barritt

338 books1,664 followers
Christy Barritt is an author, freelance writer and speaker who lives in Virginia. She’s married to her Prince Charming, a man who thinks she’s hilarious—but only when she’s not trying to be. Christy’s a self-proclaimed klutz, an avid music lover who’s known for spontaneously bursting into song, and a road trip aficionado. She’s only won one contest in her life—and her prize was kissing a pig (okay, okay… actually she did win the Daphne du Maurier Award for Excellence in Suspense and Mystery also). Her current claim to fame is showing off her mother, who looks just like former First Lady Barbara Bush
When she’s not working or spending time with her family, she enjoys singing, playing the guitar, and exploring small, unsuspecting towns where people have no idea how accident prone she is.

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Displaying 1 - 30 of 51 reviews
Profile Image for Ashley.
1,176 reviews45 followers
December 23, 2021
I really enjoyed the first book in this series, so I was excited to dive into this sequel. And, I've gotta say, it was just as good. Camryn's such a fun character to read about. Her “supersonic” hearing is a great skill to have while solving mysteries. There are so many clues to be found through sound.

Camryn is hired to find a very expensive violin (worth two million dollars!) that's gone missing from the Abernathys house. Apparently, the moving company is holding their belongings hostage and demanding a ransom to get it all back. Strangely enough, the violin wasn't supposed to be packed up, but it went missing at the same time the movers were there. The investigation takes many surprising twists and turns as Camryn tries to solve this confounding case.

This was a quick and fast-paced read that kept me fully entertained. I'm eager to solve more mysteries with Camryn in future installments.
Profile Image for Kelly Bridgewater.
1,206 reviews62 followers
December 30, 2021
Crime Strikes a Chord by Christy Barritt is a hunt for a missing violin and a dead body. Two mysteries in one. She does exactly what fans of cozy mysteries want. A dead body in the first couple of chapters. Then hunt for the clues as the story moves forward. Heroines life is in danger a number of times, then the ending where the readers figure out who did the bad deed. With this story, I figured out who done it before the end of the novel. It was pretty predictable with not a lot of red herrings to confuse me. Overall, Crime Strikes a Chord delivers just what cozy mysteries' readers want. There is one more story in the series, at least for now, that readers can look forward to.
Profile Image for Melissa.
395 reviews11 followers
December 18, 2021
When I found out Christy Barritt had a new romantic suspense book coming out set around Christmas time, I said yes please! This story is the second in the School of Hard Rocks mysteries. It can be read as a standalone, but I would recommend reading book one first. I have not read book one yet, but now wish I would have read that first as you continue to learn more about the characters backgrounds in this story. However, should you decide to read this one now since it is Christmas time I assure you will not be confused.

I liked the premise of the book as it seemed to be ripped right out of recent headlines. A very expensive violin goes missing when some movers hold the items hostage and demand a ransom of sorts to get them back. Camryn gets drawn in to help the family as they are benefactors of the school she teaches at. What begins is a fast paced adrenaline pumping story complete with mysteries to solve from Camryn's present and past.

In true Christy Barritt fashion, this book is full of page-turning suspense that kept me guessing until the end balanced with just the right amount of romance.

I was given a Beta copy of this book by the author in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed are entirely my own.
Profile Image for Laura.
Author 39 books654 followers
June 18, 2022
My thoughts, this cozy mystery was a delight to read you're very expensive musical instrument has gone missing and the owner asked a professor to find it for her. The professor is not a crime solver but she took on the case which led her on a wild goose case. I did not guess who did it and there were someone expected twist and turns. There's a dual romance possibly happening in the story and I'm hoping one of the characters when over the others but I guess I'll find out in the next book maybe. I am looking forward to the third book in the series. If you like quirky characters in a cozy mystery I will keep you guessing you will love this series. Pick up your copies today. I was given a copy free and all opinions are my own.
Profile Image for Debbie.
283 reviews12 followers
December 17, 2021
This story could be taken from the nightly news - a moving company demands more money for a family's belongings and then discovers that it has "lost" an extremely valuable violin! Camryn is drawn in since the family is a major benefactor for the music school, plus she can't resist solving a puzzle. Can she solve the mystery before she disappears as well? Love the characters and the down-to-earth problems they have, such as, will Camryn's daughter be home for Christmas? If you like suspense and relatable characters, you need to read this book. I received an advance copy from the author but all opinions are my own.
Profile Image for Mary Hake.
Author 4 books414 followers
December 17, 2021
The second mystery in this music conservatory series, this intriguing suspense book can stand alone. The continuing characters fill you in on their pasts as the story progresses. Camryn Paine has been reeled in to help solve another crime connected to the school where she works, and it just may endanger her life in the process. The twists and increasing dilemmas pull the reader in also. I was not able to guess who was behind it all. It was fun to read about a different type of crime included in this story. The author’s creative cunning amazes me. Anyone who enjoys cozy mysteries and suspense should like this novel. I received a copy from the author. All opinions are my own.
Profile Image for Adrienne Rivera.
58 reviews1 follower
February 5, 2022
Enjoyed this Mystery, immensely

Was her late husband cheating on her? Can she explain the mysterious disappearance of a priceless violin? Camryn uses her amazing auditory skills to solve another mystery, while putting herself in danger... again.
The author wove these characters together in perfect harmony. They play well, together. She sort of led me down a few rabbit holes, before she, and I, caught on to the truth.
She did a great job of delving into two different mysteries and combining all of the characters into the same story. I was not totally lost but, I did not see this ending coming. Kudos!
Profile Image for Robyn Seitzler.
216 reviews6 followers
December 29, 2021
Good, Clean Suspense

Camryn is in way over her head, like, three octaves outside her range! She agrees to a seemingly impossible side job and, suddenly, her life is on the line. Is it the case of the antique violin, or something to do with the mystery surrounding her husband’s death? Time is limited with the program coming up at school, and, as the intensity grows, one wonders if Camryn will actually make it to the program. Then there’s Zeke and Weston . . . What to do, what to do.
Good read. Ms Barritt certainly keeps my attention!
1,426 reviews10 followers
December 31, 2021
Crime Strikes a Chord by Christy Barrit is book 2 in The School of Hard Rocks Mysteries Series. Here, Camryn is asked to help find a missing priceless violin. But her past is also coming back to haunt her. Was her deceased husband involved in things she had no knowledge of? Danger lurks at every turn, making this a wonderful read. I highly recommend this book to readers of suspense. It is the perfect weekend or beach read. I received a digital copy of this book from the author with no obligations. These opinions are entirely my own.
452 reviews17 followers
March 27, 2022
I love Christy Barritt mysteries that leave me guessing "who done it" until the end and this one did not disappoint! Camryn gets hired to investigate a stolen violin while also trying to figure out a secret about her late husband. As the mysteries unfold, Camryn gets thrust closer to two men from her past and also has moments where her life is in danger. Are people out to get her because she is looking for the missing violin or because she suspects her husband's death wasn't an accident? A great romantic suspense!
Profile Image for Sheila McIntyre.
Author 1 book3 followers
December 19, 2021
Excellent cozy mystery filled with many twists and turns! I loved reading how Camryn is thrown into the world of investigating (again) and how she tries to uncover the mystery surrounding the possessions of the Gleason family being taken by a moving company! When she uses her audio abilities to help solve the case, it lends an extra layer of interest to the story. Another great read!

I voluntarily received a complimentary copy from the author. All opinions and thoughts are my own.
Profile Image for Kevin.
802 reviews20 followers
December 20, 2021
Will a stolen violin lead to disharmony at Christmas?

Camryn Paine returns in the second School of Hard Rocks novella. She has been hit with some personal turmoil when her late husband's private investigator partner re-enters her life, looking into an old case. Add to that an upcoming performance at Grand Isle Conservatory called The Christmas Thing and a request to look into the theft of a Stradivarius violin and readers will have plenty to like about CRIME STRIKES A CHORD.
195 reviews5 followers
February 1, 2022
In the second installment of the School of Hard Rocks Mysteries, Camryn has to solve several mysteries, including suspicions about her deceased husband that could rock her world if true! A missing violin, a dead body, whispers of her husbands infeldelity, a man from her past, an ex-boyfriend, and her job at the music school all tangle together to test Camryn's patience and emotional health in this action-packed mystery.
Profile Image for Paul Goble.
231 reviews6 followers
July 10, 2022
This book made a nice “palate cleanser” between reading some meatier works. Like many Christy Barritt books, this story doesn’t offer any profound spiritual lessons or literary depth, but it does supply a solid plot accompanied by Barritt’s trademark funny, quirky characters and excellent writing. The plot has just enough twists to keep it interesting.

In this installment, Camryn looks for a stolen violin. Of course, the villains try to stop her, following her (in a dark sedan–what else?) and briefly kidnapping her. There are some side-mysteries, too, such as when she encounters indications that her late husband might have been unfaithful.

I liked the mature approach to relationships. Camryn is pursued by two men, but takes an attitude of “just because we were attracted to each other didn’t mean we needed to act on it.”

There were just a few very minor typos and continuity errors.
1,428 reviews12 followers
December 13, 2021
I had a BETA Copy of this book, but this is my voluntary and honest opinion. Christy Barritt has written another interesting book with this one. I’m really enjoying this series and the characters in it. The plot includes a stolen Stradivari Violin, and some risky activities for Camryn Payne and her friends, plus a Christmas Program at the college where she is working. A great read!
Profile Image for Kim.
718 reviews14 followers
December 23, 2021
What a unique series and strong female protagonist with special auditory skills used to investigate and fight crime. Camryn Paine and The School of Hard Rocks Mysteries are a gift to readers from prolific author Christy Barritt. Built from a solid foundation of the series opener, Crime Strikes a Chord deepens the level of characters, the Grand Isle Music Conservatory and understanding of Camryn's abilities and her past. Here's looking forward to the third installment arriving in 2022!

I received a complimentary copy of the book without obligation. This review is my opinion.
Profile Image for Tonya.
Author 22 books2 followers
January 5, 2022
This was a really fun story to read and I enjoyed it, however I am extremely disappointed in the doctrines that Kristy follows in her books. No grief and godly sorrow and repentance, Christmas celebrations, it’s all paganism. Churchianity, church goers, not any real Christians in the characters. I find that extremely disappointing.
1,042 reviews11 followers
March 7, 2022
In tune

Crime Strikes a Chord is book 2 of the School of Hard Rocks series by Christy Barritt, and as usual she hit all the right notes. Camyn Paine, former pop star, teams up with Weston...and Zeke, to solve two mysteries, both involving murder. I highly recommend this series, and as usual I recommend reading them in order. Book 3 is due out soon (but not soon enough!)
Profile Image for Emily.
227 reviews2 followers
May 3, 2022
Great story!

I read book one in The School of Hard Rocks last year, maybe. Anyway, I was quite excited that book 2 was out and finished reading it in a few days, as time allowed! I'm looking forward to book 3 in the series! I relate to Camryn mostly due to my own age (not her musical skills or anything else). 😁
40 reviews1 follower
October 5, 2022
Just love this series

Christy Barritt is one of my favorite authors. Her books are intense and characters well developed. Adding faith makes her storylines even better. With this particular series, the characters are fun and I love following Camryn and her realness. Highly recommend.
Profile Image for Valerie Hartup.
116 reviews2 followers
December 18, 2021
Love love love !!

I can never get enough of Christy Barritt. This second book is no exception! Page after page you are teased over if she will fall in love and if she can solve the case. No spoilers here as this story is too good to leak!!
Profile Image for Linda Rainey.
2,348 reviews21 followers
December 20, 2021
Another Amazing Book

This was another amazing book
filled with the elements I expect from Christy Barritt's books.
The book was filled with suspense,twists and turns.
I highly recommend you tead this book.
513 reviews7 followers
December 26, 2021
Good fun mystery book

I enjoyed this book. It was a good read and I was surprised at who did it, I like the parts about the music, the instruments and the school. Looking forward to the next one in this seri3s
255 reviews1 follower
December 30, 2021
Skittles to the Rescue!

Once again this author kept me from putting the book down to go to bed! She manages to lead you in so many directions, it is always a surprise in the end! I love her books and can't wait til the next one!
Profile Image for Phyllis.
41 reviews1 follower
January 3, 2022
One of Cristy's Best

This 2nd book in the series answers questions from the first book, introduces several possible thieves and a murderer, and two love interests. It keeps you guessing until the end.
1,586 reviews
January 11, 2022
Loved it!

I am loving this series and I cannot wait for the next book in the series to release! I didn’t guess who the villain was, and I was on the edge of my seat trying to figure it out.
65 reviews
January 14, 2022
Amazing

Oh my goodness what an adventurous, mystery. This book was amazing. Getting ever closer to the characters was a great experience! I cannot wait for book 3. Thanks Christy you really knocked this one out of the park. God bless you!
763 reviews4 followers
February 14, 2022
oh my I love this book

I cannot tell you enough how good this book is. Each character will blow your mind as the book unfold. Oh how I wish I had the time to read it in one sitting. Get it now and start reading. ❤️❤️❤️🥳
Profile Image for Hunter Q Lee.
495 reviews3 followers
February 17, 2022
Great story

This is another great story in The School of Hard Rocks Mysteries. Cameryn has trouble figuring which man see likes better. She is abducted by movers while she is investigating a sham.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 51 reviews

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