A review by d_nice_
Symphony of Secrets by Brendan Slocumb

dark mysterious tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

This book would have more compelling if it had been shorter. Bern was not a sympathetic protagonist and the contemporary part of the novel was too drawn out. Also, Eboni’s Bronx accent in the audiobook lacked authenticity.

Conversely, the black male protagonist doubting the sharp instincts of the black female supporting character was all too authentic.

I loved Josephine

and I’m glad she eventually asserted herself with Freddy

. But even the historical chapters could have been trimmed.

We get it, Freddy/Fred/Fredric was a dick and either didn’t believe or didn’t care that he exploited Josephine.

But how many chapters of proof did we need? 

I stayed through the end but just to hear the conclusion. This easily could have been a DNF, and the book’s editor would have been just as if not more responsible for the abandonment than the author. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Ableism, Gaslighting, Police brutality, Racism, and Toxic friendship