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4.32 AVERAGE
4.32 AVERAGE
challenging
dark
inspiring
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Violence, Police brutality, Murder, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Gun violence
informative
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
Go read this book right now!
Slocumb combines mystery and music, making for a great read.
A story about the universal nature of music and how people can so easily be misguided by power. Also a powerful message about how the talents of those who are different than the societal “norm” can be overlooked a dismissed.
Slocumb combines mystery and music, making for a great read.
A story about the universal nature of music and how people can so easily be misguided by power. Also a powerful message about how the talents of those who are different than the societal “norm” can be overlooked a dismissed.
Loved this. What really stood out to me was the characters. I thought the relationship between Josephine and Freddie was really well done. I can't wait to read his first book!
SO much more than a mystery, this is an enthralling story that narrates a current music scholar's dream of transcribing a long lost operatic work by a composer revered the world over, alternating with the century earlier tale of that composer's rise and the inspiration/source of his 'genius': the brilliant, neurodivergent woman of color, Josephine Reed.
I liked the author's first book better, but this was a solid follow-up with a bit of mystery involved.
Symphony of Secrets was an enjoyable follow up to The Violin Conspiracy. Brendan Slocumb writes this musical mystery genre so well. This one started off a little slow for me, but the second half was much more propulsive.
This story is set in two timelines. First, the present day setting where Bern Hendricks is elated that he has been chosen to authenticate a newly discovered piece of music from his hero. He enlists his friend, Eboni, who is a tech wiz to help him out. When they discover that someone else may have been contributing to the composure of the music, things get crazy. In the past timeline, we follow Frederick Delaney, Bern's hero. Freddy is a struggling musician who strikes it big when he partners up with Josephine Reed. But Freddy's intentions aren't pure and things get out of hand.
The first part of this book felt super predictable and moved at a snail's pace. We all knew where this was leading, but it took 250 pages to get there. Once more things were revealed and the action picked up, this book got a lot more propulsive and exciting. It is beautifully written with a lot of music details, perhaps a few too many for this non-musical person. The past timeline was interesting, yet difficult to read about. I loved the character of Josephine and how she sees the world. Eboni was a genius who took no crap, and I really enjoyed her personality.
Overall, this was a great follow up to The Violin Conspiracy. I love that Slocumb has carved out this musical mystery niche for himself. His books have a more literary bent, so it definitely helps to be in the mood for a mystery that is not a popcorn thriller. There are exciting elements, but he takes his time getting there.
This story is set in two timelines. First, the present day setting where Bern Hendricks is elated that he has been chosen to authenticate a newly discovered piece of music from his hero. He enlists his friend, Eboni, who is a tech wiz to help him out. When they discover that someone else may have been contributing to the composure of the music, things get crazy. In the past timeline, we follow Frederick Delaney, Bern's hero. Freddy is a struggling musician who strikes it big when he partners up with Josephine Reed. But Freddy's intentions aren't pure and things get out of hand.
The first part of this book felt super predictable and moved at a snail's pace. We all knew where this was leading, but it took 250 pages to get there. Once more things were revealed and the action picked up, this book got a lot more propulsive and exciting. It is beautifully written with a lot of music details, perhaps a few too many for this non-musical person. The past timeline was interesting, yet difficult to read about. I loved the character of Josephine and how she sees the world. Eboni was a genius who took no crap, and I really enjoyed her personality.
Overall, this was a great follow up to The Violin Conspiracy. I love that Slocumb has carved out this musical mystery niche for himself. His books have a more literary bent, so it definitely helps to be in the mood for a mystery that is not a popcorn thriller. There are exciting elements, but he takes his time getting there.
Phenomenal. A true work of art. I read it simultaneously with The First Ladies by Marie Benedict and they were the perfect pairing. Reading them together allowed me to appreciate each story more deeply and with greater understanding of the characters, racism & injustice, and historical context.