juliaehill 's review for:

Symphony of Secrets by Brendan Slocumb

4.5

adventurous emotional mysterious reflective tense medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

---

This novel surpassed expectations. Set in 1920s New York, a mediocre white male composer takes advantage of a neurodivergent Black woman's genius at musical composition by selling her songs as his own.  In the present day, a Black professor and his brilliant computer scientist friend start to unravel this mystery as they transcribe the composer's recently discovered lost symphony. Part thriller, part literary commentary on race and musical appropriation, and a truly absorbing read.