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4.32 AVERAGE
4.32 AVERAGE
mysterious
tense
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
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
There was intrigue, there was thrill, there was a just a bit of romance that didn't take over the story and came at the end (which is perfect imo), and there was justice for a brilliant black composer whose work was stolen and passed off as a white composer's. This was a really great story with amazing characters that really maintained my attention. I thought there could have been a bit more at the end about more ways that Josephine was avenged, and I do wish she would have been avenged in her lifetime, but then the book wouldn't have really existed as it did.
adventurous
mysterious
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
emotional
mysterious
tense
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
emotional
hopeful
reflective
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
informative
mysterious
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
Novels that feature musicians will always catch my attention and Brendan Slocumb's second novel really delivered. As in his debut novel THE VIOLIN CONSPIRACY, Slocumb sets SYMPHONY OF SECRETS in the world of classical music. Bern Hendricks, a much lauded musicologist, has dedicated his career to the works of Frederick Delaney, a deceased but revered American composer. A long lost Symphonic work of Delaney's is discovered and Hendricks is hired to prepare the composition for performance. Hendricks enthusiastically pours himself into the work, but soon the process begins to unravel. Previously unknown details begin to surface, as Hendricks and Eboni Washington, his brilliant tech-savvy assistant, discover hidden signs while researching the Delaney composition. Most troubling are the compelling clues leading Hendricks and Eboni to question whether Delaney actually composed all of his music. The mystery and pace of Slocumb's writing kept me turning each page, as the lives of Hendricks and Eboni became threatened as they got closer to uncovering the provenance of Delaney's music. The smart and often pithy dialogue between the two was illuminating and often entertaining. Especially satisfying is the manner in which Slocumb describes Josephine Reed, Delaney's lifelong companion and her manner of experiencing sounds and music. Her character lived in the early part of the 20th century but in today's parlance, Josephine would most likely be described as being on the autistic spectrum. Her character is richly drawn with evocative descriptions of her musicianship. Slocumb delivers a satisfying ending to this novel that celebrates music, truth, redemption and the importance of the expression and voice of every individual.
This was a great read! Suspenseful but moving and meaningful. The premise is original and fascinating, making a human and a political point at once. Josephine’s character and chapters of narration are my favorite; I love the way her perspective and interpretation of the world are both totally unique but also resonate very poetically with how we all experience sound and music.
——SPOILER PARAGRAPH——
The only reason I’m not raging at 5 stars is because of the modern-era narrative. I wish that Bern and Eboni’s relationship had been better developed rather than just seeming inevitable from the beginning. I also wish there had been a bit more explanation behind the Foundation’s escalation, which also seemed inevitable. Even one sentence or paragraph about why a musical organization would so immediately turn to violent police tactics would have made it all seem more realistic. I don’t think it is a stretch that philanthropic organizations can be cynical and exploitative by any means, I just wish it had been laid out with more intention rather than just seeming like a plot driver.
——SPOILERS OVER——
All said, however, this is a great book (characters, plot, and writing all wonderful) that I would definitely recommend!!
——SPOILER PARAGRAPH——
The only reason I’m not raging at 5 stars is because of the modern-era narrative. I wish that Bern and Eboni’s relationship had been better developed rather than just seeming inevitable from the beginning. I also wish there had been a bit more explanation behind the Foundation’s escalation, which also seemed inevitable. Even one sentence or paragraph about why a musical organization would so immediately turn to violent police tactics would have made it all seem more realistic. I don’t think it is a stretch that philanthropic organizations can be cynical and exploitative by any means, I just wish it had been laid out with more intention rather than just seeming like a plot driver.
——SPOILERS OVER——
All said, however, this is a great book (characters, plot, and writing all wonderful) that I would definitely recommend!!
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
fast-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
challenging
mysterious
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:
No