Reviews with content warning for Racism - Symphony of Secrets

Reviews tagging 'Racism'

Symphony of Secrets by Brendan Slocumb

46 reviews

mezzythedragon's review against another edition

mysterious tense slow-paced

4.0

The lengths rich white people would go to protect “their” legacy, even if it means silencing the main source of their wealth and prestige.

I will say it starts kind of slow, but picks up halfway, especially when Bern runs afoul of the Delaney Foundation.

Overall, another hit from Brendan Slocumb. Do read the author’s note at the end.

Content Warnings

serendipitysbooks's review

Go to review page

emotional mysterious reflective tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.5

Symphony of Secrets is a cleverly structured, well-told, engrossing novel that explores the issues of race and gender, as well as their intersection, within the arena of classical music. In the current day Bern Hendricks, a music professor is asked to authenticate a just discovered musical score, a long-list masterpiece by Fredric Delaney, a prolific and famous modern composer. Roughly one hundred years earlier we follow Freddy Delaney, a struggling musician, and his relationship with Josephine Reed, a neurodivergent Black woman. I really enjoyed the portrayal of Josephine, her neurodivergence and her unique abilities. I was fully invested in the characters and the self-serving entitlement of Delaney and The Delaney Foundation definitely raised my blood pressure. I was not 100 % convinced by the power of the Delaney Foundation though. At times I found the present day storyline a little too over-the-top and thrillery to be credible. But boy was I 1000% cheering at Bern and Eboni, not just for taking the foundation down but for the wonderfully satisfying way in which the did so. What I was convinced by was the music. So much so that I really wanted to race to Spotify and download The Five Rings of Olympia, Bring Back the Moon and more. Alas, I must rely on my imagination. Another minor quibble is that, at times, the book it is felt a tad too-long. Having said that I’m still eagerly awaiting whatever Slocumb writes next.

Content Warnings

kaseycanread's review

Go to review page

adventurous dark emotional funny mysterious sad tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.75

Content Warnings

lisas_bookshelf's review

Go to review page

adventurous challenging hopeful informative inspiring mysterious sad medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

Even better than his first book, this one goes deeper and farther into the examination of privilege, legacy and race. And it’s a great mystery too!

Content Warnings

mollyb13's review

Go to review page

adventurous challenging emotional mysterious sad tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

I really enjoyed Slocumb's first book, The Violin Conspiracy - but I LOVED Symphony of Secrets. His descriptions of music are unmatched and the story he wove over two periods in time was beautiful and heart-wrenching. Bern and Eboni were dynamic and I really enjoyed the present-day storyline.

Frederick Delaney was a wonderfully written villain. There were multiple times I caught myself rooting for him in the music industry during the book. I feel like the villains that have these moments are truly the ones I remember most and also the ones who generally do the most harm. But Josephine Reed stole the story for me and I was constantly looking forward to learning more about her. The worst part about this book is that I will never hear the music she composed since she is a fictional character!

I'm a big library user, but have a few authors whose books I buy on release so I can highlight and scribble notes all over them. Brendan Slocumb has definitely joined that list for me with his second novel!

Content Warnings

onmalsshelf's review

Go to review page

dark mysterious tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

Thank you to NetGalley and Anchor for a galley in exchange for an honest review.

As is becoming a normal for me, I picked up Slocumb’s sophomore novel before picking up The Violin Conspiracy. Even though I haven’t read his first book, it’s clear to me that Slocumb hasn’t hit a sophomore slump.

I was intrigued by this dual timeline plot the entire time.

Present time, Dr Bern Hendricks is called on by the Delaney Foundation to look at the authenticity a piece by Frederick Delaney of what supposed to be his magnum opus song. He brings in his friend Ebonie to help, and as the two dig deeper, nothing is what it seems.

In the 1920s, song-writer, pianist, and salesman Frederick Delaney meets Josephine Reed, a neurodivergent woman living on the streets who a keen ear of music. As the two pair up, success comes quickly, but as we all know success comes at a price.

As Bern and Ebonie dig deeper, they come closer to revealing something that would ruin the Delaney’s and their perfect reputation.

I loved this mix of mystery and music (so much piano) and the twists and turns kept me hooked the entire time.

Highly recommend.

Content Warnings