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4.32 AVERAGE
4.32 AVERAGE
Interesting story. Someone with more musical background & technical knowledge will really enjoy this.
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
challenging
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
challenging
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I loved the violin conspiracy and could not wait to read this second book by the author. It did not disappoint! What a heartbreaking look at mental health and racism through a storyline of classical music. I love the dual timelines unfolding the story.
Bern Hendricks is an American professor who has received the call of a lifetime with the opportunity to authenticate a newly discovered piece of music from the famed 20th century composer, Frederick Delaney. With the help of a tech-savvy acquaintance, Bern quickly discovers that the truth is far more complicated than history would have them believe.
I absolutely adored this author’s debut The Violin Conspiracy, so I was elated to discover he had already published a second novel. I quickly found a copy on Libby and dug in.
SYMPHONY OF SECRETS is told in dual timelines, 1920s and present day, and in multiple POV. Each perspective and timeline are interesting with plenty of food for thought, making this story wholly immersive and bingeable. I loved the plot that unfurls in both timelines, and while some of the bigger reveals are easy to anticipate, I was still dismayed by them.
The characters encountered are intriguing, nuanced, and some are hiding some rather juicy secrets. I quickly fell in love with Josephine’s character, as well as Bern’s. Josephine is a Black woman in the 1920s who is also neurodivergent, she’s a striking character that you can’t help but love and root for.
Slocumb is an author who writes his stories with such care and a clear love of music, making you appreciate and love the finer notes and immersing you in the musical world in ways that many may not consider or be familiar with. His novels feature heavy notes of racism and power, with plots and scenarios that are, unfortunately, very recognizable and still occurring. His characters and their stories are a great tool, giving voice to those voices that are silenced and to opportunities that have been lost. I’ll certainly be keeping an eye out for whatever he writes next!
I absolutely adored this author’s debut The Violin Conspiracy, so I was elated to discover he had already published a second novel. I quickly found a copy on Libby and dug in.
SYMPHONY OF SECRETS is told in dual timelines, 1920s and present day, and in multiple POV. Each perspective and timeline are interesting with plenty of food for thought, making this story wholly immersive and bingeable. I loved the plot that unfurls in both timelines, and while some of the bigger reveals are easy to anticipate, I was still dismayed by them.
The characters encountered are intriguing, nuanced, and some are hiding some rather juicy secrets. I quickly fell in love with Josephine’s character, as well as Bern’s. Josephine is a Black woman in the 1920s who is also neurodivergent, she’s a striking character that you can’t help but love and root for.
Slocumb is an author who writes his stories with such care and a clear love of music, making you appreciate and love the finer notes and immersing you in the musical world in ways that many may not consider or be familiar with. His novels feature heavy notes of racism and power, with plots and scenarios that are, unfortunately, very recognizable and still occurring. His characters and their stories are a great tool, giving voice to those voices that are silenced and to opportunities that have been lost. I’ll certainly be keeping an eye out for whatever he writes next!
I was seething the entire time I was reading this, I hate that bench Delaney wow. Amazing novel, I could barely put it down. Didn't love the romance/relationship between Bern and Eboni but she was very cool. I wish (spoilers ahead) that the truth about Josephine's murder came to light in the present and that the DF people were exposed buuut the ending was still good.
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
informative
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes