This book was as much a story of the violin as it was the violinist. I loved reading this perspective of a black musician climbing into the elite ranks of orchestra through sheer grit and determination. His journey is heartbreaking, hopeful and an absolute enthralling read. I really liked the music for all message and the lesson of what a little support can ignite in a young spirit.

Slocumb's passion for music is evident throughout the novel, creating its own magic and immersion. I would not call this book a thriller. The pace isn't there and the mystery plot line felt like the weakest part of the novel. That said, the history of the violin and violinist were so well drawn out and balanced with the family drama and the lawsuits, I was fully engrossed in the pages and didn't need it.

Ray was a wonderful character and his story is one I will keep with me for a long time.

Thank you to the publisher for providing a copy this book in exchange for an honest review.

I love this quote from the violin conspiracy, "Ray of course, would disagree. He would tell you that music is truly a universal language, and that we, the listeners, will always impose our own fears and biases, our hopes and hungers, on whatever we hear."

The Violin Conspiracy is a mystery about a young man's ancient violin and his struggle to overcome racism to rise in the classical music world. The plot is the strongest part of the story and mystery. I kept thinking I had it all figured out but didn't accurately guess it at what I think is a perfect time-about 90% in.

The strongest aspect of the story was describing Ray's musical world how hard he had to practice, what he had to overcome in regards to not having access to the best teachers, and schools. Also the doubts and triumphs he went through playing the violin were very well described.

The best was when the author described the rapturous feelings Ray had while playing the music. Then it made sense after reading the authors note-Brandon Slocum is a violinist!

I'd say the weakest point of the story was the characterization of Ray and surrounding characters. We got a bit more from Ray but most everyone else was one note. Also, I may be mistaken but there was a plot Point dropped in regards to his family?

All in all this was an enjoyable read that got better as the story continued!

thank you NetGalley and Anchor Books for this ARC.

A promising young black prodigy has his Stradivarius stolen before the key Tchaikovsky competition in Russia. We learn the backstory slowly as he and his girl friend try to figure out what happened. His tales of travail as a black violinist, suffering racism in North Carolina and elsewhere, but persisting because of his extraordinary talent, give us a number of important lessons. But it’s also a compelling mystery with some very clever plot twists. And the story of how he got the Strad is itself fascinating and fraught with family and other drama. An important read.

Violin virtuoso, Ray McMillan, has his priceless violin stolen just before his trip to Moscow for the Tchaikovsky competition. There are several suspects, and through a series of flashbacks we learn Ray's story, how he came to be such an expert violinist and how he came to possess a "Strad". His struggles will both break your heart and warm it.

I wasn't sure what to expect from this book. I purposely did not read anything about the author or the book except for a brief "teaser" on the NetGalley site. I wish I had known that many of Ray's experiences were taken from the author's own experiences. Realizing that now brings the impact of the story to new levels. The mystery is not really the main story, and actually it's the weakest point. (I had the culprit figured out early on) The strength is in Ray's story itself. It's one of resilience and determination against seemingly insurmountable odds. It's the story of a drive to succeed, and how the kindness and support of strangers can make all the difference. Well done.

This is the story of Ray McMillian and his beloved heirloom violin which is stolen right before the prestigious Tchaikovsky Competition. This action happens in the first chapter and then we go back and forth between Ray's past and present leading up to the competition. There's a lot of turmoil, lawsuits regarding the violin that Ray is contending with and you cannot help but to empathize with him.

Ray is a great character; his relationship with his family is fraught and the racism he experiences as a black violinist while unsurprising is important to acknowledge. Slocumb writes in the author's notes that Ray is imbued with his own experiences including these moments of racism.

The descriptions of music are wonderful, particularly the performances. I felt like I could see Ray performing and it helps readers understand how much the violin means to him, how much music means to him. I loved learning about the world of soloists through the lens of this mystery though it isn't entirely difficult to guess the culprit. The reveal is well done and I appreciate Ray's response in the epilogue. What is most compelling, here , is the family history, the generational trauma of racism, and Ray's resilience. It's also a story about mentorship, the people who support your aspirations. Both Ray's grandmother, his Aunt Rochelle and his mentor Dr. Janice Stevens all play important roles when his development and while I don't typically read author acknowledgements, I read this and they had me in tears.

I think college students, people who like music and a little mystery and a little history should read this book now. The family history was the mystery I wanted solved almost more than when and how the violin disappeared. 4 stars

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. (via Netgalley)

This wasn't super heavy on the mystery but I enjoyed it nonetheless. It was quick paced and easy to read. I finished it in one sitting.

What a lovely book.

Rayquan (Ray) McDaniels fell in love with the violin at an early age. Using a rented violin, he practiced all the time. While in high school he was asked to play at a wedding with some high school friends even though the father of the bride was irate that a young black man would show up to play. This incident was indicative of the racism that he would face his entire life...black men don't play classical music.

Ray's grandmother Nora was the only family member who supported him. His great great great grandfather played the fiddle and Nora wanted Ray to have it. It was old and dusty and in dire need of repair. After being turned away from the first repair show because of his race, he finds a repair shop with the help of janice, his mentor. His pop pops old violin turns out to be a Stradivarius.

Fast forward a few years and his Strad is stolen. The story then follows his quest to get it back. We learn more of Ray's life through flashbacks during this quest.


This book shows the power of giving and helping others along the way. Very well written and worth the read.

Ray McMillian is a gifted young Black violinist who plays a family heirloom violin that turned out to be a Stradivarius. The violin gets stolen at the beginning, but the book is so much more than just a mystery. It is a story of passion for music, of personal growth and overcoming obstacles, of racism, of familial disputes. The writing was lovely - I know little about the violin, but the descriptive language drew me in and made me feel as though I could hear the music myself.

Thanks to Netgalley for a free ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I have mixed feeling about this book. As a musician, I absolutely ADORED it! In fact, I have already recommended it to the violinists and other musicians with whom I play in a symphony orchestra. It so beautifully portrays the feeling of a true musician. As a person of religion, I abhorred the language in it and didn't feel like it was necessary. For one thing, it showed the main character, the violinist, to be exactly the kind of person that his naysayers were claiming. As a non-racist, I was wounded to think of the cruelty that many black people have had to endure. I would expect better from those fortunate enough to call themselves Americans! As a big fan of mysteries, I appreciated the twist at the end. As a writer, I was impressed with most of the writing.

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/4232106220

The Violin Conspiracy deserves 6 stars. Ray McMillian is a black violinist and he is classically trained. Ray receives a violin from his grandmother that used to be her grandfather's. Only later does he find out its true worth. Great musical journey and mystery. Wonderful characters and a story that draws you in. Very entertaining book.

Wow. Good thing I kept reading. For me, it was really hard to get through the first part, but then, after a twenty-something percent of the book, the pace changed, the story felt different and I got engaged in a beautifully crafted story about Ray, a talented young man who plays the violin, who gives it all to the music he loves so much, no matter that his crappy family, the naysayers and life keep trying to defeat him. About his grandmother Nora and his aunt Rochelle, the supportive ones in his family. About Dr. Stevens and Mr. Fischer and the strangers that becomes your family along your path in life. About social injustice and racism, that exist all over the world, and from which no one is safe. About prejudices and preconceptions in society.
As I said, this is a beautifully told story. Please, please, read this. Hope you’ll enjoy it as much as I did!

I received this from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. I really enjoyed Ray's story. I figured put the mystery pretty quickly, but it didn't take away the story. Very much recommend.

Like a well-played piece of music, "The Violin Conspiracy" draws you in and does not let you go. You will not want to stop until you finish the story of Ray McMillian and his missing Stradivarius violin. The story opens with Ray preparing for the Tchaikovsky Competition -- the Olympics of classical music -- and his $10 million Stradivarius violin is stolen, replaced with a ransom note requesting $5 million in bitcoin by a specific date. The story then alternates between the present (search for the violin, preparation for the competition, the competition itself) and the past (how Ray reached this point in his career).

Ray is the rarest of rare -- a black classical musician. "Everyone" "knows" that black musicians cannot play classical music well. The reader will be angry on Ray's behalf at the prejudice and racism he experiences; especially, as what he experiences is so realistic. Mr. Slocumb states in the "Author's Note" that many of the events of prejudice and racism that Ray experiences are based on his own life experiences. But even if the author had not had these life experiences, the events and behaviors he describes are consistent with the lived experience of many minorities, especially when trying to succeed in a "white" profession.

Ray's family, especially his mother, was not supportive of his playing violin, believing he needed to be practical and get a "real" job; and also not realizing the depth of Ray's talent. The only person who is truly supportive is his Grandmother Nora (and later his Aunt Rochelle). Her grandfather, Leon Marks, was a fiddle player, and a former slave. He had played the fiddle (violin) for his master and his family, and when he was granted his freedom, he was also given the fiddle that belonged to his master but which Leon played so beautifully. Grandma Nora has her grandfather's violin, buried in the attic, and when the violin is finally found, she gives it to Ray for Christmas. The violin is not very impressive looking -- its dirty, covered in rosin, and in need of repairs -- but it means a lot to Ray because of the connection to his grandmother and to her PopPop. Ray has the good fortune to find a good mentor, who is able to teach him how to make his raw talent shine and is able to provide him with opportunities to improve his craft and potentially make a living as a musician. When Ray reaches a point where he needs a higher quality violin, he decides to try to have PopPop's violin repaired. It turns out to be a Stradivarius violin -- the rarest and highest quality violins -- with an estimated worth of $10 million.

The discovery of a Stradivarius violin brings a lot of attention and a lot of problems. Ray's family wants him to sell the violin and split the proceeds among the family. As Ray starts making a living playing the violin, he has been sharing his income with his mother and his aunts and uncles, but it is never enough for them. The family will eventually sue him for the violin. At the time of the discovery, Ray is still in college. His university arranges an article in the local paper (Charlotte Herald) about him and the violin, and soon media outlets throughout the country want to talk to him and feature him. However, the announcement that a $10 million Stradivarius violin has been discovered also reaches the Marks family -- the descendants of the former slaveowner who "owned" Leon Marks. The Marks family want the violin back, insisting that it is rightfully theirs and that Leon must have stolen it. They attempt to get Ray to return it voluntarily, but when that fails, they sue him for the violin.

The mystery of the violin's disappearance, the lawsuits, and the prejudice that Ray experiences all make for a compelling story. The author has created a good character in Ray, especially his passion for the music and his relationship with his grandmother. The author is also masterful in his descriptions of music. As you read about Ray playing a particular piece of music, it feels like the music comes alive and you are in the room with him, listening to him play and feeling the emotions that the music evokes. I would definitely recommend "The Violin Conspiracy."

I received a copy of the e-book via NetGalley in exchange for a review.

I received a free copy from NetGalley. All he wants to do is play his violin. His mom wants him to contribute to the family finances and grandma sees her grandfather in him. Then he is given his an old family violin. But who really owns it and is he a great musician or does he just have a great violin? I usually find novels slow, but the mysteries in this one kept the pages turning. While race plays an important role in the events, it doesn't attack the reader. I really enjoyed this and wished for a sound track to play along with it while I was ready so the all the songs they mention. Great books should make you think and question and this ones does.

Ray, a young, black, classical musician is in love with playing the violin. Ray started class in school with a borrowed violin and he couldn't think of anything that made him happier than playing. He stumbles in to the idea that his playing was something that could pay well when you have a talent like his.

Do not read this looking for a mystery or thriller, you will be disappointed. However, if you come at this book with no preconceived notions you'll find that it is a beautiful and powerful story of one young man's dedication to his passion, and his willingness to fight for what he deserves even though he constantly runs in to rampant racism, the mental abuse from his family, and just plain bad luck. .
While the book does begin with his violin going missing, the majority of the book is both heartwarming and heartbreaking as we venture back seven years into Ray's past where we stay completely consumed for a large chunk of the rest of the story. It is a beautifully woven narrative, every part of this story falling together in a way that is completely realistic, and bursting with inspiration and lessons that we can all take something from.

The theft of the violin comes back in for a while near the end of the book, and to be honest I thought it was quite clear from the beginning how that would play out and thats the sum of mystery this story contains. But oh, Ray's story is so beautiful and inspiring that I didn't even care that it was not the heart pumping mystery I thought I was diving in to.

For that reason I'd give this book 4 stars, though if I were to judge on the mystery aspect alone it'd be closer to a 2. I strongly recommend that you read this in spite of the fact that its more a coming of age than anything.

Thank you to netgalley and publisher for providing an advance e-copy of this wonderful story in exchange for me sharing my honest thoughts with all of you. I will not soon forget Ray's story, and I know most readers will feel the same.

Book received for free through NetGalley

Absolutely incredible. The book hooks you quickly with amazing characters and the descriptive you can almost hear it scenes. I couldn’t put it down and adored every second of it.

Thank you for my early review copy. I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I believe this book will be a huge bestseller.

(2 1/2). We have an engaging protagonist, a pretty good story, some reasonable twists and turns and a fair amount of excitement. The downside: Lots of sappiness, too many predicable outcomes, and too long. It all balances out for a fairly interesting read that works well for a long plane ride or a summer vacation exploration. Reasonable stuff.

This novel is proof that humans should share the same fate as dinosaurs! A young black, first as a child then growing into manhood, has two great loves in his life. His grandmother is one of the few decent characters who always stands up for him and gives him a beautiful Christmas gift. It was a violin like no other. The other family members make his life Hell purely out of jealousy.. An excellent novel destined to be a classic.

I am such a sucker for an art-based mystery, and this was a great read.

When his violin is stolen, Ray is left not only without an instrument, but also searching for an identity.

I loved the way the book wove back and forth in time, and I loved the richness of many of the characters. The book was a great, entertaining read, and I look so forward to other books by this author.

Do not miss if you too are a fan of art mysteries.