Synopsis:

THE MAGGIE O’SHEA SUSPENSE SERIES

Overcoming loss—finding the courage to move on—trying to stay alive

Late in the Cold War, an infant girl and a priceless painting vanish during a tragic escape from Communist Hungary, setting in motion a decades-old secret that will change lives for generations to come.

Many years later, classical pianist Maggie O’Shea goes to Cornwall in search of a missing journalist—and a long-lost Van Gogh. Decades-old secrets from World War II Paris hold many of the answers, but only two people know where the Van Gogh is hidden now—a courageous nun and a man presumed dead.

Set against the backdrop of the international music world, Maggie finds herself on a collision course with three ruthless Russians who threaten all she holds dear—including her life and the life of the man she has come to love.

Past and present converge in this haunting tale of loss, courage, love, and revenge.

Praise for Shadow Music:

“Mario has once again hit all the right notes with Shadow Music, drawing the reader into a landscape of art and music . . . using a tuning fork of spine-tingling suspense.”
~ Sandra Brown, New York Times best-selling author

“Gripping, intense, and lyrical, [Shadow Music] is a heartbreaking journey wrapped in a page-turning mystery. Ruthless greed, devastating courage, long-lost secrets—and a riveting ending that’s a crescendo of emotional realization, deep understanding, and haunting inspiration.”
~ Hank Phillippi Ryan, USA Today best-selling author

“In the action-packed denouement of [Shadow Music,] Mario ably ties up the various plot strands.”
~ Publishers Weekly

“Music is not just backdrop here but also a character that permeates Maggie’s life . . . bolstered by the transformative power of classical music, Maggie finds what has been lost, including herself. Brava!”
~ Library Journal (Starred Review)

Inside the Author of Shadow Music :

I’m so excited to share that Helaine Mario, author of The Maggie O’Shea Suspense Series visited with me recently. Here is a highlight from our conversation.

Helaine, I love how you share two time periods… can you please share more?

Today, my very personal ‘Story Behind the Story’ is Choosing to Write a Dual Timeline.

The last line of Shadow Music, the 3rd book in my Maggie O’Shea Series, is one of my favorite last lines ever written. It did just what I wanted it to do – end pianist Maggie’s story on a surprising and hopeful note for her future. At that time, in my mid 70s and spending precious time with my husband, I had no idea what the future held for me or my writing. But some deep part of me wanted to leave enough room for one more Maggie book, just in case.

Just in case happened not long after Shadow Music was published. I discovered that I wanted – needed – to tell one more Maggie story to ‘give her the proper ever-after she deserved’ for all the readers who have come to love her. But I only had the barest idea about how that would happen. Would she marry her Colonel? What would be next for her music? And would there be a final confrontation with the man who has threatened her life and happiness for so long?

And then four things happened.

First, I discovered the beautifully written Historical/Dual Timeline book, The Lost Apothecary by Sarah Penner, in which 18th century London and the present collide. I was totally caught by the idea of a long-ago choice echoing across the centuries. No, I could never do that. Could I???

Soon after, I read an inspiring article in the Washington Post that told the true story of Jeannie Rousseau, a young Frenchwoman who became one of the most effective, if unheralded, spies of World War II. I could not get her story out of my mind – a moment’s choice made that would echo over the decades. But how could I weave the story of someone like Jeannie Rousseau into Maggie’s present-day world?

I also found myself drawn to a beautiful painting in our home, one my husband and I loved and chose together. The oil, by the French artist Vezinet, depicts a small white cottage set on the edge of a wind-swept sea. Its title is “L’Automne en Bretagne” – Autumn in Brittany. Years ago we visited that part of France, and fell in love with its beauty and history. What if?

Finally, I came across an old photo of my dad in his army uniform. He landed in Normandy during the D-Day invasion and I always have been fascinated by the heroes, sacrifices, courage and wartime espionage stories of that time in history.

Sometime during that night, Jeannie Rousseau’s wartime story and my painting of the cottage melded together in my head. Suddenly I knew that the cottage belonged to Maggie’s French grandmother Clair, whom she has never met. What if, like Jeannie Rousseau, this grandmother was only a teenager when the winds of war swept through France? What if Clair was faced with some of the same choices Jeannie Rousseau had to face? What would she have done? It’s a question I always want my readers to ask. Now I knew the story I wanted to tell.

But weaving a story connecting Maggie’s life to her French grandmother’s life decades earlier clearly would require a Dual Timeline – defined as ‘one cohesive story told through several time periods and perspectives.’ This was a huge and terrifying challenge for me. But then I thought about the ending of Shadow Music. Maggie and her Colonel each have a moment when they must figuratively ‘Jump off the cliff.’ I loved writing those scenes of leaping into the unknown, somehow finding the courage to take a wild chance on a dream. And so I closed my eyes and jumped off the cliff.

Beginning with The Lost Concerto, all my Maggie books have reached into the past, including significant flashbacks or backstory to World War II or the Cold War. But in the new book I would be telling two very different, non-linear stories of two strong women, one set in 1940s France during wartime and one set in the present.

So, The Challenge. A Dual Timeline would demand two separate and unique stories – with two very different and distinct sets of characters and voices. I would need careful plotting to connect the two main characters emotionally; meticulous and authentic research; clear timeline shifts; and mindful pacing to keep readers involved and caring about each story and character. Then the stories and timelines would somehow have to be woven together.

Daunting. Could I do it? I had no idea, but I surely wanted to try. After all, Maggie deserved to know her grandmother – and her past. And so I wrote the prologue to Echoes on the Wind immediately, introducing Maggie’s grandmother Clair in 1943 France and setting up a favorite, intriguing theme – how the choices of the past ripple over time and generations, like a pebble thrown into water.

But when it came to writing Maggie’s Grandmother Clair’s chapters, I came to a Hard Stop. I had the inspiration, and the setting. My painting of the cottage and the beauty and history of the coast of Brittany enriched every scene. Now I turned to research, as I believe the most important aspect of writing a Historical is authenticity. I read countless memoirs and articles on World War II France, and am especially indebted to the stories of three remarkable women whose wartime experiences all helped to give life to Clair and her sister Elle: Jeannie Rousseau, Edith Eger and Hélène Podliasky.

My characters were another huge challenge, as a Dual-Timeline requires two unique sets of characters with their own stories. I wanted my readers to have a very clear picture of each main character, to always know who is speaking – Maggie or Clair. I can only hope I succeeded.

Piece by piece, I was able to give life to this story. The final piece was finding a way to link the generations and stories together. In each book I’ve written, classical music mirrors pianist Maggie’s choices and journey. Rachmaninoff, Grieg, Beethoven… their gorgeous concertos and rhapsodies have healed – and transformed – Maggie’s life. I always say, “Music tells our stories.” The answer to writing a Dual Timeline story was right in front of me. I would use the echo of Music over the decades to connect Maggie and her Grand-mère.

Since Maggie’s favorite composer is Chopin, I chose his 24 Preludes – brief, beautiful and very emotional pieces that convey ‘moments,’ moods, vignettes. Some very dark, others full of light. Like my story was going to be. In fact, “Light and Dark” is the first line in the Prologue, hinting at what is to come. Music was the last piece of the Dual Timeline writing puzzle I needed. Chopin’s preludes would mirror the moments and choices of the past. Their echo would tell Maggie her Grandmother’s story. It was the best gift I could give to Maggie.

Shakespeare said, ‘The past is prologue…’ For me, it seems, the past is prelude.

Book Details:

Genre: Romantic Suspense
Published by: Oceanview Publishing
Publication Date: September 21, 2021
Number of Pages: 384 pages, Hardcover
ISBN: 9781608094509 (ISBN10: 1608094502)
Series: A Maggie O’Shea Romantic Suspense Book

The Maggie O’Shea Romantic Suspense Series:

THE LOST CONCERTO Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Goodreads

DARK RHAPSODY Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Goodreads

SHADOW MUSIC Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Goodreads

ECHOES ON THE WIND Amazon | Barnes & Noble | BookShop.org | Goodreads

Author Bio:

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.

Catch Up With Helaine Mario:

HelaineMario.com
Amazon Author Profile
Goodreads
BookBub – @helainemario
Instagram – @helainemario.author
Facebook – @helaine.mario

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