"An emotional story...breaks the mold...delicately constructed...nuanced characters....clear prose." Kirkus Reviews

"Margaret Philbrick has deftly penned an engaging and entertaining coming of age romance. It is pure entertainment from start to finish. Very highly recommended for libraries and personal collections." Midwest Book Review
An Alzheimer's Association Library Selection
"This is a deeply moving novel that touches upon love, creativity, and memory. It is the story of a musician who develops Alzheimer's disease, yet continues to struggle with her craft. The author is a passionate and gifted writer who understands the nuances of memory and Alzheimer's disease." Dr. Bruce Miller, Director, UCSF Center for Memory and Aging

Clive Serkin, a teenage piano prodigy, seeks victory at the Tchaikovsky Piano Competition in Moscow, and enlists the help of world-renowned pianist Clare Cardiff. She becomes his mentor and teacher, and even though she is more than twice his age, Clive finds himself falling in love with her. After Clare is diagnosed with early-onset dementia, Clare’s estranged husband Nero takes her away from Clive to pursue further medical testing. Clive is faced with the challenge of traveling to Moscow and performing at the competition without his beloved mentor. Ultimately, he must discover if the music they share is enough to keep them together.

Margaret Ann Philbrick:

What would it be like for a classical pianist to lose her memory? This question came to me as I sat in on my son's piano lessons and I couldn't get away from it. All of my work starts with a question I want to answer. A Minor is our son's favorite musical key and Clive Serkin is a minor, so the title emerged first, followed by the music. I thought about what the story arc would sound like before I typed any words. As I fell in love with Chopin's Piano Concerto #2, I wanted you to as well. Thanks to Koehler Books and Ingram, A Minor is the first book with embedded music. As George Balanchine said, "See the music, hear the dance." Enjoy the sound of my story.