Sheet Music Reviews

AOL's Fiction Fourum Review

"M.J. Rose is known for writing earthy, intriguing, erotic treatise, and even
dabbling in suspense, but in SHEET MUSIC, Ms Rose delves to the very depths
of suspense writing, and delivers a stunning read. Carefully weaving
together a story told in first person is difficult. Readers are either bored
quickly with I, I, I, or don't bother to pick up the book because of their
previous negative experiences with first person writing. It takes a stellar
class author to write a first person narrative and do so successfully. M.J.
Rose is just such an author. Readers will find themselves so caught up in
the story that by the end of the first chapter they will forget this is first
person writing.

The suspense in SHEET MUSIC is intriguing, however the in-depth
self-examination by Justine is truly realistic. Being a writer is important
to this heroine, and she considers herself a real expert on human nature.
Soon she discovers she may be an expert everywhere but within her own nature.

M.J. Rose successfully weaves Justine's personal revelations into the mystery
of Sophie's disappearance, producing a story chock full of suspense, hidden
secrets, and a complete surprise in the villain. It even took this die-hard
mystery reader completely by surprise...an event that does not happen often
in books."


I LOVE A MYSTERY NEWSLETTER

"The poster girl for self-publishing, M.J. Rose garnered media attention when her self-published first novel (an e-book) hit Amazon's Bestseller List and became the first self-published novel to be purchased by the Literary Guild. I had heard of Rose, naturally, but had never read any of her fiction when I began SHEET MUSIC. Described by one reviewer as, "A smart, sexy, grown up Nancy Drew," it is a singularly inappropriate description for this
intelligent, beautifully written erotic thriller about a young woman who,
still grieving the death of her mother, sets out to solve the mystery behind
a famous composer's disappearance.

(Rose's) greatest strength lies in her lucid and elegant
prose.... (the) tale is relayed with passionate fluency that seems to lend it almost symbolic significance. No wonder that this spokeswoman for independent publishing has been snapped up by mainstream giant Ballantine! HIGHLY RECOMMENDED."



Dorothy L Review

"M.J. Rose delves into some important issues in Sheet Music.
The novel examines obsession and selective memory. The reader realizes that some characters will untangle their emotions, while others will succumb to their blackness. Rose also studies the deep effect of music and art on individuals and she observes the isolation of pushing the artistic envelope.

I highly recommend Sheet Music, which portrays characters that stay with
the reader after the last page, and whose sensuality and empathy touch the heart. Readers of mysteries, romance, and self-awareness novels will all enjoy this book."-- Debby Atkinson