Reviews with content warning for Suicide - Symphony of Secrets

Reviews tagging 'Suicide'

Symphony of Secrets by Brendan Slocumb

7 reviews

beepbeep101's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional inspiring mysterious reflective sad tense fast-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? Yes

5.0

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sicemsinger's review

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adventurous mysterious tense fast-paced

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

4.5

I really enjoyed Brendan Slocomb's first novel and was excited to read this one as well. As a musician myself, I love reading books with musician protagonists, particularly when the author himself is a musician, as Slocomb is. This book was just as much of a thrill as his first, with a fast-paced literary style, revealing piece by piece in multiple POVs and timelines the full, complex story. I loved the idea of a Black professor having done his life's work on a composer, not at all predisposed to suspect him of any wrongdoing, thrilled to find himself analyzing a long-lost work of said composer, but discovering an entirely different story. I love the way Slocomb depicted Josephine, an autistic-coded character with synesthesia, as the genius behind Delaney's work. Fred Delaney is a typical "white savior," but Slocomb writes him in a way that makes it clear just how cringe-worthy that is. His possessiveness of Josephine grows as with his success on her stolen music until a full-fledged cycle of abuse begins. As all the pieces of the story come together from both timelines, each receives a satisfying conclusion with the white abusers of power are served their just desserts.

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kerrygetsliterary's review

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emotional informative inspiring mysterious reflective 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? No

5.0

WOWWW. Slocumb's sophomore novel is just as phenomenal as his first. I absolutely loved Symphony of Secrets just as much as The Violin Conspiracy and Brendan Slocumb is quickly becoming one of my favorite and auto-buy/read authors.

I was intrigued following Bern's plot in the present day, analyzing and authenticating the newly discovered work of Frederic Delaney. Though heavy on the musical composition, it was a fascinating aspect of the story and learning about the particulars of his examination while finding new tidbits of information to discover the truth about Delaney's past hooked me right in.

I thought I was hooked reading Bern's POV, but then we are dropped into the 1920s and get to witness what happened with Fred Delaney and Josephine Reed, and wow! Being thrown into their world and observing Josephine’s talents was so compelling. I couldn’t turn the pages fast enough, but I also wanted to savor it! I loved Josephine’s character (and the representation of neurodivergence) and not only her brilliant mind, but her strength and resilience.

I also loved Eboni, a tech genius who Bern hired to help analyze and decode Delaney’s work. She was such an intelligent anchor in his life, resolute and steadfast and courageous through all their challenges. Without her, Bern would have faced a slew of even worse consequences and dilemmas.

The pace was perfect, and the story didn’t drag at all. Slocumb expertly blends historical fiction with mystery with a touch of thriller. I was so stressed and anxious for Bern and Eboni at certain points!

Through the mystery of Delaney’s composition and investigation of the past, Symphony of Secrets also explores themes of racism and power that parallel both the past and present timelines. Slocumb displays how racism, power, and privilege are still incredibly prevalent today, and how white supremacy has permeated our society, even in places we think are diverse or progressive.

Absolutely a well-deserved five stars. Highly recommend. And I can definitely see this being optioned for a movie!

CWs: racism, racial slurs, violence, blood, suicide, police brutality, gaslighting, murder, sexism, domestic abuse, emotional abuse

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