THE MAGGIE O’SHEA SUSPENSE SERIES

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The child’s godmother, Maggie O’Shea, haunted by the violent deaths of her husband and best friend, has withdrawn from her life as a classical pianist.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.

Praise for The Lost Concerto:

“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)

“Skeletons bang on closet doors, longing to be set free and free they are in this terrific mix of mystery and mayhem. Every page is fraught with danger and surprise.”
~ Steve Berry, New York Times best-selling author

“If you love classical music, a challenging thriller, a twisting mystery, and complex characters, The Lost Concerto is for you. Lushly layered, full of evocative prose and surprises, and wonderfully told, this one’s a must-read.”
~ J.T. Ellison, New York Times best-selling author

“Richly atmospheric, excellent can’t-put-it-down pacing, enticing and compelling characters. Really terrific storytelling. A perfect package—a stunning debut!”
~ M.J. Rose, New York Times best-selling author

Inside the Author of The Lost Concerto:

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.

What inspired you to write your first book?

The main character in my classical music suspense series, Boston pianist Maggie O’Shea, spent over a year sleeping in a desk drawer. Even now, since my fifth novel, Echoes on the Wind, was released, I honestly never believed I would publish one book, let alone five. But there is always a story behind the story…

I came to writing later in life, after years as a stay-at-home mom, children’s advocate, and an occasional non-fiction writer for the local Norwalk, CT, newspaper. I still remember the day I began to write fiction. I was sitting by the water, wondering whatever happened to the high school sweetheart who disappeared from my life. What if I suddenly saw his photo in a newspaper after all these years? And what if I needed to find him? I grabbed a pencil and wrote the prologue to my first manuscript, The Lost Concerto. In the following months I wrote the book I wanted to read, inspired by what I loved – music, Paris, art, romance and suspense. I finished it just before my 50th birthday.

I knew that The Lost Concerto, was in trouble when my agent called and said, “Pour yourself a stiff drink.” Countless rejections later, I parted with the agent and locked my manuscript (along with my confidence) in a drawer. I didn’t write for over a year. But the characters kept knocking on that drawer, and I knew they deserved life – especially my pianist Maggie O’Shea, grieving the loss of her husband and her music. The truth is, writers cannot not write, so when the knocking grew unbearable I unlocked that drawer.

Brutal editing followed. I deepened my core characters and added complex new ones who led me to new plotlines. I re-told Maggie’s story through the emotional chords of the Grieg Piano Concerto. Finally, I introduced a rescue Golden Retriever who brought humor and humanity.

My first publisher, Oceanview, loved it.

Since that day, I have learned so much about the craft of writing – but I always am guided by three words shared at a Writer’s Conference that struck a deep chord in me: Head. Heart. Hand… The story is born, grows and takes shape, in your mind. Then it must pass through the heart to give your thoughts emotion, depth, meaning, grace…and a heartbeat. Finally, your hand will write the words and your story will be ‘out there’ for the world.

Now, so many years later, my fifth book is ‘out there’ as ECHOES ON THE WIND continues Maggie’s story. I am forever grateful that I trusted my characters and answered that ‘knock on the drawer.’

Book Details:

Genre: Romantic Suspense
Published by: Oceanview Publishing
Publication Date: July 1, 2015
Number of Pages: 430 pages, Hardcover
ISBN: 9781608091515 (ISBN10: 1608091511)
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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