Sharon Hinck's Symphony of Secrets ~ Reviewed

Symphony of Secrets
By Sharon Hinck
Published by Bethany House
ISBN 978-0-7642-0282-7

Back Cover:

Talented flutist Amy Johnson's dreams come true when she wins a spot with the Minneapolis Symphony. But this amateur sleuth has trouble concentrating in the notes as she begins to see devious motives behind her fellow musicians' many mishaps.

Meanwhile, her musically talented teenage daughter wants to give it all up for—gasp—the cheerleading squad. What's a musical mom to do?

Can Amy fine-tune her investigation before the symphony is forced to close and she loses not only her dream job but her promising new relationship with the conductor?

Review:

I enjoyed every page of this book! Hinck employs wit and angst as you follow Amy, a musical geek trying to fulfill her dreams. She's a single mom whose mind revolves around her music and providing for her daughter, but forgets about things like laundry and meals. I hate to admit I could relate, but as a literary artist, I was right there with her.

When her daughter makes the cheerleading squad, Amy feels like a jazz solo without a rhythm. These super-moms are hip and with-it, crafty, slender and know how to French-braid. Poor Amy can barely make a ponytail straight for her daughter. But what she can do is find a mystery in every action around her, causing her no end of trouble.

All this makes for one delightful read as it explores the relationship between a quirky mom and her daughter. A story of love and forgiveness and characters that will live on in your heart even after you turned the last page. I give it a very high recommendation.

Reviewed by Ane Mulligan

Bonus Review:

Symphony of Secrets is likely to delight Sharon Hinck fans. Hinck has a distinctive voice, creating heroines who are flawed but very likable. Symphony introduces Amy, an artist with the flute and a mess in life. She has a teen daughter, Clara, who is going her own way and Amy finds that terrifying and a little bit insulting. Especially when Clara decides to check out church, and then begins to buy into the mindless drivel taught there.

However, Amy is always up for a good mystery. As events in her life unfold into the life she's only dreamed of, the mystery wends its way throughout. Overall, this novel is charming and full of humor. Hinck also inserts mournful melodies that pull on reader heartstrings. A solid story with a satisfying conclusion.

By: Kelly Klepfer