Reviews

The Violin Conspiracy by Brendan Slocumb

izedriftwood's review against another edition

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informative slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

2.75

kasiado's review against another edition

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adventurous hopeful mysterious reflective medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character

4.5

nanshiii's review against another edition

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4.0

I enjoyed this! The best part of the book is how Brendan Slocumb LOVES music and that translated well with the descriptions of each piece and how everyone connects to music. The whodunit aspect of it was less interesting but I was rooting for Ray. I wanted him to succeed.

Book 6 of 2023 Book Club. Borrowed Via Libby

deniselk's review against another edition

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5.0

I really enjoyed this. The author clearly captured the connection to the music, which added a lot of depth.

reese_lanier's review against another edition

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4.25

Really good book! The mystery element is really promising, and the flashbacks feel really realistic. The family element was so interesting. I loved the descriptions of what it was like to play music, it gave such a nice magnitude to his love of the craft and art. The ending is sort of obvious, by 2/3 of the way through it I was just waiting for Slocumb to confirm who did the deed. The commentary on being Black in the classical music world is so poignant, and I thought it was a really gripping take on an otherwise unspoken aspect of classical music.

njbrit's review against another edition

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informative inspiring reflective sad slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.0

marlyons's review against another edition

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emotional hopeful inspiring reflective sad tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix

4.0

dargan18's review against another edition

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4.0

I really enjoyed this book. I’ve played violin for most of my life, and was in orchestras throughout my school years. When I first heard about this book, I figured the violin was just a means to find a new take on an art theft whodunit. I was pleasantly surprised to find that it’s actually the opposite. The author of this book is an accomplished violinist and shaped the story from his own experiences and love for the violin. I loved his descriptions of classical music and orchestra life — the nerve-wracking auditions, the competition for first chair, the lessons, the hours and hours of practice time, the despair that you’ll ever get the notes right, the thrill when you do. All that was very relatable, as I spent many years in that world, playing (mediocrely) some of the pieces he referenced. I immediately started humming Praeludium and Allegro when it was mentioned. I spent so many freaking hours practicing that piece in college. Never could nail it.

lyss_bear's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional funny inspiring lighthearted relaxing tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.75

kalinowskiyvette's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional hopeful inspiring mysterious reflective sad 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? It's complicated

4.0