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A review by popgoesbitty
The Violin Conspiracy by Brendan Slocumb
5.0
CWs: racism, emotional abuse
4.5 rounded up to a 5
The Violin Conspiracy was one of the more readable novels I've read this year. Something about the writing flowed and I absolutely couldn't put it down. I read the majority of it in one sitting. Though a mystery by definition, this read way more like a thriller. The pace never slowed.
This is a very character driven yet nicely paced novel that spent a good number of pages in literary territory. Similar to another mystery I just finished (The Maid), the majority of the novel is spent diving into richly written context, rather than plot focusing on the crime itself. It's got an intriguing split near-past timeline that elegantly gives context to the irresistibly written opening of the book.
I loved The Violin Conspiracy for its uniqueness. It's really hard to find a mystery not about murder, let alone one that keeps up this nice of a pace on every single page. The protagonist is infinitely likable, and the supporting characters are incredibly intriguing. I truly loved so much about it.
Despite all the greatness, there was one thing that bothered me in the latter half of the novel--hence the 4.5 stars. The author is a classical musician. And dang, does he want you to know it. What starts as instances of impressive musical knowledge (that really do add to the scenes!) quickly becomes gratuitous, way-too-frequent digressions into composers and musical theory. They're never longer than a paragraph, but it becomes a bit exhausting by the end. Though impressive, I found myself skimming these sections once the action started picking up. They really bogged down the energy in the climax of the novel.
This was just a tiny flaw within a truly enjoyable read. I highly recommend fiction lovers adding this to their list.
4.5 rounded up to a 5
The Violin Conspiracy was one of the more readable novels I've read this year. Something about the writing flowed and I absolutely couldn't put it down. I read the majority of it in one sitting. Though a mystery by definition, this read way more like a thriller. The pace never slowed.
This is a very character driven yet nicely paced novel that spent a good number of pages in literary territory. Similar to another mystery I just finished (The Maid), the majority of the novel is spent diving into richly written context, rather than plot focusing on the crime itself. It's got an intriguing split near-past timeline that elegantly gives context to the irresistibly written opening of the book.
I loved The Violin Conspiracy for its uniqueness. It's really hard to find a mystery not about murder, let alone one that keeps up this nice of a pace on every single page. The protagonist is infinitely likable, and the supporting characters are incredibly intriguing. I truly loved so much about it.
Despite all the greatness, there was one thing that bothered me in the latter half of the novel--hence the 4.5 stars. The author is a classical musician. And dang, does he want you to know it. What starts as instances of impressive musical knowledge (that really do add to the scenes!) quickly becomes gratuitous, way-too-frequent digressions into composers and musical theory. They're never longer than a paragraph, but it becomes a bit exhausting by the end. Though impressive, I found myself skimming these sections once the action started picking up. They really bogged down the energy in the climax of the novel.
This was just a tiny flaw within a truly enjoyable read. I highly recommend fiction lovers adding this to their list.