A review by barbarahallforrest
Symphony of Secrets by Brendan Slocumb

3.0

Novels that feature musicians will always catch my attention and Brendan Slocumb's second novel really delivered. As in his debut novel THE VIOLIN CONSPIRACY, Slocumb sets SYMPHONY OF SECRETS in the world of classical music. Bern Hendricks, a much lauded musicologist, has dedicated his career to the works of Frederick Delaney, a deceased but revered American composer. A long lost Symphonic work of Delaney's is discovered and Hendricks is hired to prepare the composition for performance. Hendricks enthusiastically pours himself into the work, but soon the process begins to unravel. Previously unknown details begin to surface, as Hendricks and Eboni Washington, his brilliant tech-savvy assistant, discover hidden signs while researching the Delaney composition. Most troubling are the compelling clues leading Hendricks and Eboni to question whether Delaney actually composed all of his music. The mystery and pace of Slocumb's writing kept me turning each page, as the lives of Hendricks and Eboni became threatened as they got closer to uncovering the provenance of Delaney's music. The smart and often pithy dialogue between the two was illuminating and often entertaining. Especially satisfying is the manner in which Slocumb describes Josephine Reed, Delaney's lifelong companion and her manner of experiencing sounds and music. Her character lived in the early part of the 20th century but in today's parlance, Josephine would most likely be described as being on the autistic spectrum. Her character is richly drawn with evocative descriptions of her musicianship. Slocumb delivers a satisfying ending to this novel that celebrates music, truth, redemption and the importance of the expression and voice of every individual.