A review by takeaim
The Violin Conspiracy by Brendan Slocumb

challenging emotional funny mysterious sad tense slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

The Violin Conspiracy is an emotional story about a Black violinist in the (almost exclusively white) classical music world. That aspect is the novel's strongest point as Ray McMillian faces pressure from his mostly unsupportive family, and confronts racism not only in concert halls, but in everyday life. When his precious and priceless Stradivarius violin is stolen and held for ransom, the drama intensifies. But the whodunit component could have been stronger. Even with that tiny personal dissatisfaction, The Violin Conspiracy is worth it. I highly recommend the audio version because there are samples of violin music, which adds another layer of enjoyment for the reader. 
Expand filter menu Content Warnings