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4.32 AVERAGE
4.32 AVERAGE
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Masterfully researched and beautifully written, this book is a masterclass on the potential music has to connect people and transcend barriers.
.
Shifting between modern day and New York’s 1920’s music scene, Slocumb delivers and easy-to-devour mystery thriller that I flew through.
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Only disclaimer is that the music jargon might be a bit much for someone unacquainted with it but it doesn’t occupy much of the novel so don’t allow that to dissuade you.
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Shifting between modern day and New York’s 1920’s music scene, Slocumb delivers and easy-to-devour mystery thriller that I flew through.
.
Only disclaimer is that the music jargon might be a bit much for someone unacquainted with it but it doesn’t occupy much of the novel so don’t allow that to dissuade you.
I loved The Violin Conspiracy so I was excited for the authors next novel. This was very good! I did enjoy The Violin a little more…. but I still recommend this one. I definitely recommend reading the authors note at the end; his motivation for writing this story is noble!
emotional
inspiring
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
mysterious
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:
Complicated
This book got me out of a massive reading slump and for that I’m so grateful. And it’s worth noting that there’s no sophomore slump with Slocumb’s second novel! I enjoyed this even more than his first.
This book was marketed as a mystery, but I think that’s a bit of a misnomer. Symphony of Secrets is a riveting historical fiction with some suspenseful elements woven into it.
It tackles some heavy topics, just as Slocumb’s first book did — racism, police brutality, a white man appropriating a Black woman’s music for the sake of fame and financial gain. As someone who is a music lover and performer myself, it opened my eyes to how many masterpieces may have been stolen from geniuses who didn’t have the social status or agency to claim them as their own.
The characters in this are brilliant, too. Bern has to deal with the consequences of watching his idol’s image fall to pieces, and these feelings of disappointment and anger fuel his fire throughout the story. Josephine is a musical genius who is portrayed with so much sensitivity and heart.
If you were thinking of picking this up, please do. It will probably be one of my top 5 or 10 favorite books of 2023.
This book was marketed as a mystery, but I think that’s a bit of a misnomer. Symphony of Secrets is a riveting historical fiction with some suspenseful elements woven into it.
It tackles some heavy topics, just as Slocumb’s first book did — racism, police brutality, a white man appropriating a Black woman’s music for the sake of fame and financial gain. As someone who is a music lover and performer myself, it opened my eyes to how many masterpieces may have been stolen from geniuses who didn’t have the social status or agency to claim them as their own.
The characters in this are brilliant, too. Bern has to deal with the consequences of watching his idol’s image fall to pieces, and these feelings of disappointment and anger fuel his fire throughout the story. Josephine is a musical genius who is portrayed with so much sensitivity and heart.
If you were thinking of picking this up, please do. It will probably be one of my top 5 or 10 favorite books of 2023.
I loved this musical mystery. The duel timelines. All that is at stake with identity, legacy, genius and intellectual property.
I loved that a fictional composer was created for this story. It created a whole new world of possibilities. What is the story behind Fredrik Delaney? (Originally: Frederick and known as “Freddy” and yes that small detail is very important.)
This fictional composer is a musical genius, a legend. But, nobody knows how he wrote his music. Especially how he wrote everything from Broadway tunes to Operas in such a short period of time.
What was his secret? He must have one right? He is not the man he seems to be.
The answer is “amber in the speedway” and “a white torrent” it is “the orange in the black and green” …..
It’s how lovely Freddy goes from quicksilver to dull Fred who is more grey. A whole language of strange musical terms and symbols that don't make sense, until they do! This book captured my heart.
It’s what happens when.... "you rescue a dog from the street"....
This book was fantastic with insight into New York City in 1918 and the roaring 20’s! It was such a satisfying read that had so much musical depth, emotion and characters that I adored.
While I thought Violin Conspiracy was frustrating because the theft was so painfully obvious, this book was pure pleasure that kept me guessing!
I loved that a fictional composer was created for this story. It created a whole new world of possibilities. What is the story behind Fredrik Delaney? (Originally: Frederick and known as “Freddy” and yes that small detail is very important.)
This fictional composer is a musical genius, a legend. But, nobody knows how he wrote his music. Especially how he wrote everything from Broadway tunes to Operas in such a short period of time.
What was his secret? He must have one right? He is not the man he seems to be.
The answer is “amber in the speedway” and “a white torrent” it is “the orange in the black and green” …..
It’s how lovely Freddy goes from quicksilver to dull Fred who is more grey. A whole language of strange musical terms and symbols that don't make sense, until they do! This book captured my heart.
It’s what happens when.... "you rescue a dog from the street"....
This book was fantastic with insight into New York City in 1918 and the roaring 20’s! It was such a satisfying read that had so much musical depth, emotion and characters that I adored.
While I thought Violin Conspiracy was frustrating because the theft was so painfully obvious, this book was pure pleasure that kept me guessing!
Symphony of Secrets was the second novel from Brendan Slocumb that I read this year. It was a fascinating exploration of voices silenced due to social and racial injustice. I think I liked Violin Conspiracy a little more than this one, but it is still a relevant and eye-opening look at the place - or lack of place - of Blacks in American history and music. This is also the second book I've read this year that includes a character with synesthesia - a neurological condition which causes the character to experience music and sounds in colors and symbols.
The main character Bern Hendricks is one of the world’s preeminent experts on the famed twentieth-century composer Frederick Delaney, and he's just been asked to help authenticating a newly discovered piece, which may be Delaney's famous lost opera, RED. Bern jumps at the chance, working with tech-savvy acquaintance Eboni to understand more about the music and the symbols that populate Delaney's works. Bern quickly discovers that the truth is far more complicated than history would have them believe and he and Eboni end up in the cross-hairs of the powerful Delaney Foundation.
The story alternates between the present and Bern's work to uncover the truth, while a second timeline gradually reveals Delaney's relationship with Josephine Reed - a black, homeless, neurodivergent woman - and her gift for music. This second timeline was by far the most engaging for me. Josephine is unforgettable and her story is one of prejudice and bias. I loved learning about Delaney's work as a song "plugger" early in his career. I had never heard of these musicians who were employed in the 1930s by song publishers to play, promote and sell sheet music at popular department stores in NYC.
The present timeline pitted Bern and Eboni against the clock as they worked to uncover uncomfortable truths, but this storyline dragged a bit in the middle for me even as they faced a growing threat to their work.
Like The Violin Conspiracy, I read this on audiobook. It was narrated by Chante’ McCormick who did a wonderful job bringing this story to life. Thank you to Penguin Random House Audio for the complimentary audiobook. I would definitely read more from Slocumb and highly recommend both of his books.
The main character Bern Hendricks is one of the world’s preeminent experts on the famed twentieth-century composer Frederick Delaney, and he's just been asked to help authenticating a newly discovered piece, which may be Delaney's famous lost opera, RED. Bern jumps at the chance, working with tech-savvy acquaintance Eboni to understand more about the music and the symbols that populate Delaney's works. Bern quickly discovers that the truth is far more complicated than history would have them believe and he and Eboni end up in the cross-hairs of the powerful Delaney Foundation.
The story alternates between the present and Bern's work to uncover the truth, while a second timeline gradually reveals Delaney's relationship with Josephine Reed - a black, homeless, neurodivergent woman - and her gift for music. This second timeline was by far the most engaging for me. Josephine is unforgettable and her story is one of prejudice and bias. I loved learning about Delaney's work as a song "plugger" early in his career. I had never heard of these musicians who were employed in the 1930s by song publishers to play, promote and sell sheet music at popular department stores in NYC.
The present timeline pitted Bern and Eboni against the clock as they worked to uncover uncomfortable truths, but this storyline dragged a bit in the middle for me even as they faced a growing threat to their work.
Like The Violin Conspiracy, I read this on audiobook. It was narrated by Chante’ McCormick who did a wonderful job bringing this story to life. Thank you to Penguin Random House Audio for the complimentary audiobook. I would definitely read more from Slocumb and highly recommend both of his books.
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
sad
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
adventurous
informative
mysterious
medium-paced