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cgallenorr 's review for:
The Violin Conspiracy
by Brendan Slocumb
This mystery / Bildungsroman is the story of Ray McMillan, a classical violinist whose 10 million dollar Stradivarius is stolen. It begins with the theft and immediate aftermath, before going back to tell of how Ray got to where he is today. I felt all the emotions while listening to this book: sick at the thought of losing something so valuable; anger at Ray’s mother, a self-absorbed woman who actively tried to discourage Ray from pursuing music, graduating high school, or going to college; comforted by Ray’s grandma Nora who supported him and loved him unconditionally; rage at the blatant racism that Ray experienced at every turn; and hope that Ray would eventually be reunited with his violin. There were parts toward the end that made my palms sweat with nervousness. What an accomplishment for Slocumb to make readers feel all of this and more. The author’s notes at the end are a must-read; I was surprised to find that some of the scenes were based on his own experiences. This mystery is an eye-opening look at what it means to be a Black man trying to make it in the world of classical music.