Customer Reviews

Symphony of Secrets: A Novel

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Another outstanding book by Sharon Hinck, proving once again that she is an extremely versatile writer. This one is set in a modern-day symphony. Just as Amy, an aspiring flutist, gets her big chance, strange attacks threaten a fellow musician and the entire symphony. Amy is determined to solve the mystery, but - well, let's just say that she plays flute better than she solves crimes. As if there isn't enough upheaval in Amy's life, her teenage-daughter provides even more.

I have no music background, but it was easy to relate to both the setting and characters. They are, oh, so real - never stereotypical. Ms. Hinck's ability to convey the driving passions of her characters had me soaring with the music whenever Amy picked up a flute. A delightful and diverting read.

Symphony of Secrets is a novel full of beautiful music, a touch of mystery, and romance all tied together in an engaging story about a concert flutist mom and her cheerleader daughter. This is a story about dreams come true, and what happens when the truth behind the fantasy is revealed.

Beyond the incredible insider's glimpse at the beauty of music, the heart of this story is God's never ending, always loving pursuit of us~ even when we refuse to listen.

So pour yourself a cup of hot tea, sit back and relax. This story will awaken your senses, touch your heart and leave you clapping for an encore.

In many ways this book is a departure from the Becky Miller and Restorer series. This book is written with a light touch that often had me laughing out loud as I read it. Amy sees more what ifs in a situation than anybody I know! But at its core, the book stays close to the mom-lit area that Sharon Hinck is well-known for. Humor graces every page with the lightest hint of romance.

There is also a thread of mystery running through the book - very much on the cozy mystery side of the genre. I enjoyed it and found the resolution plausible in a world of crazy musicians. And Sharon made the symphony and those in it come to life in a way that I enjoyed - even though I secretly wondered as I picked it up if I'd care about the characters and their lives after chapter one.

Overall, a delightful read!

Music is her life... but someone is orchestrating trouble. Put some classical music on, sit down for a fun read. A thoroughly enjoyable tale of a single mother/arm chair detective (who sees crimes where they are not) who lands her dream job with the Symphony only to find that this time perhaps the mysterious happenings within the orchestra threatening its survival are real... In addition she has to balance the responsibilities of home life - as the supportive mother of a teenage daughter who has a sudden interest in Cheerleading and in Church. Juggling it all becomes even more complicated when a cheerleading competition conflicts with a required Symphony event.... Will she make the right choice? Can she solve the mystery in time to save the Symphony? For the reader familiar with the Minneapolis area, there is the added fun of going with Amy through the city, recognizing landmarks, restaurants, etc.

This humorous, delightfully woven tale by Sharon Hinck pairs deeply relevant spiritual truths with a humorous look into the life of a stressed-out single mom. This book was certainly a job well done! Symphony of Secrets is a must-read for anyone who loves women's fiction.

Another great book by new author Sharon Hinck. Amy Johnson finally lands her dream job as flutist in the Minneapolis Symphony, only to have it jeopardized as the Symphony loses funding and threatens to go under because of sabotage to the concertmaster. While trying to solve the Symphony mystery, Amy also faces problems with her daughter, Clara, who is navigating new waters of cheerleading, dating, and church, while asking tough questions about her dad. All of this forces Amy to take a hard look at her roles as mom and musician and start wondering where God fits into the picture.

This book grabbed me right away and I could hardly put it down. The characters are very real and well-developed; the mystery is light but still intriguing, with a hint of romance. Musicians will appreciate the musical references and non-musicians (myself included) will enjoy learning a bit more about the symphony. I'd love a follow-up book to find out what happens with all the characters!

Amy is a single mom who has two passions in her life: her daughter and her flute. When she hears that tryouts are open to join the local symphony she jumps at the chance for what could finally be her big break. But it's not all happy melodies and cheery tunes. Amy has to put up with a jealous flutist and a daughter who can't seem to understand her passion for music. Then there's her symphony master who seems to have more than just a musical interest in Amy. To top it off someone seems bent on destroying the symphony's reputation and closing it down for good. Will Amy be able to use her amateur sleuthing skills to track the culprit?

I used to play an instrument. I played trumpet in the middle school band for three years. I got as high as first chair. So I could definitely related with Amy and her quest in the classical music world. Even if you're completely tone deaf, you won't get lost amid all the musical terms in this book. Everything is explained precisely so even the those who don't know a timpani from a tuba will be able to follow along. To be honest I didn't really like Clara that much. Usually it's because I bond with the protagonists that makes me dislike other characters who don't get along with them. I felt at times that Clara was selfish towards her mother's own wants and needs. Yes, Amy should have told her daughter the true story about her birth father from the beginning and not kept it a secret. But at the same time, I felt like it wasn't fair that Clara would place guilt trips on Amy for not being like the other moms. Obviously Amy was not a cheerleader type mom and I felt that Clara didn't seem to realize that being a single mom is not an easy task. I'm glad that for the most part they have a wonderful mother-daughter relationship but it just irked me a bit at the unreasonable demands placed on Amy at times. I loved the growing relationship between Amy and Peter. It wasn't your typical love story, fused instead with lots of humor and realistic feelings. The mystery part was great as well. Love seeing Amy's skills being put to use. This book was like several different stories combined into one - music, romance, relationship, mystery. Just like a medley of different songs, the author meshes them together to form a wonderful melody to the eyes. Another winner for Sharon Hinck!

Single mother/music teacher Amy Johnson finally gets the break she has longed for--a place in the Minneapolis Symphony. It's a much needed boost after her daughter Clara announces that, instead of devoting more time to music, she is joining the cheerleading squad. Amy is quickly swept into a thrilling world of ego-driven musicians and concert sabotage. Wait, what? Concert sabotage? Yes, Amy's taste for mystery is challenged as well when strange "disasters" put the history of the Minneapolis Symphony in jeopordy. When Clara begins asking questions about her father, Amy has a much more intense problem than a mystery to sort out.

I have loved every one of Sharon Hinck's books and this story was no exception. Many moms will relate to Amy's parenting insecurities, her struggles over past mistakes, and her desire to follow life-long dreams. Symphony of Secrets is a fun yet heart-touching story of dreams and secrets . . . and yes, a little bit of mystery.

I just finished Symphony of Secrets. Oh my. The story transported me into the symphonic world through the main character's passion for all things music--and I can barely carry a note. But this is what I look for in literature. I want to go someplace, feel something, and see the world from a new perspective. Hinck did that for me...again.

Amy is a single mom, balancing deferred dreams and her teenager's new-found independence. Sound like a cliché? Not in Hinck's deft hands. A lyrical narrative (of course!) and a fresh plot keep the pages turning. The Restorer's series is still my favorite pilgrimage into Hinck-created worlds, but Symphony of Secrets is deliciously delightful.

Amy Johnson's plans for a concert career hit a discordant note when unexpected motherhood finds her to taking up teaching instead to support her daughter.

When she is finally noticed by the Minneapolis Symphony's enigmatic new conductor, Amy's lifelong desire nears fulfilment. When mysterious accidents begin to befall her musical colleagues, Amy determines to use her investigative skills, finely honed from years of reading mysteries, to uncover the saboteur and save the Symphony and her fledgling career.

Symphony of Secrets swept me away into the world of talented flautist, Amy Johnson and her slightly neurotic outlook on life, parenting and the neighbours next door! Sharon Hinck effortlessly pens this engaging tale with smart characterisation, light intrigue and the fascinating machinations of a working orchestra. Amy's befuddled interactions with her teenage daughter Clara, and her sudden desire to become a cheerleader, are funny and voiced beautifully. The definitions of musical terms heading each chapter were enlightening and a fun lead in to the tone of the pages to follow. Underlying this buoyant tale, Amy's inner struggle against her circumstances provides a lesson in patience and the beauty of hope. Bravo, Sharon!