Dark Maestro was definitely not what I expected, especially after adoring Branden Slocumb's last two novels, The Violin Conspiracy and Symphony of Secrets. Both beautifully highlighted the struggles of disenfranchised youth in gaining access to classical music, a topic I admittedly don’t know much about. So, I was excited to dive into another classical music thriller with this ARC I received.
The story starts in a gritty part of Southeast D.C., focusing on young Curtis Wilson, a five-year-old cello prodigy, his father Zippy—a drug dealer working for TBlock—and Zippy’s girlfriend Larissa, who cares for Curtis like her own. Together, they try to balance their dangerous lifestyle with supporting Curtis's dreams, as he sets his sights on performing with the New York Philharmonic. We watch him as he sails through Juilliard and becomes one of the most coveted cellists in the world.

But then, a twist propels them into the Witness Protection Program after Zippy implicates his bosses in a highly unusual crime. This unexpected turn costs them everything, including Curtis’s dream of playing for an audience.
Dark Maestro diverges from Slocumb’s usual style by blending classical music with an unexpected love letter to comic books. Without revealing too much, the second half of the novel shifts dramatically, taking Curtis down a surprising path that gives him a “superhero” arc. I found myself wishing for a plot more akin to Slocumb’s previous taut, music-infused thrillers.
While I did find the plot a bit implausible and felt there were some unresolved questions, understanding Slocumb’s reasons in the end for this narrative shift made it resonate a bit more. Because I’m such a fan of his earlier work and his storytelling, I’m giving this book four stars, though if not for his reasoning for writing this book, I might have rated it three.

The Dark Maestro is an engrossing novel about a boy from a poor and shabby neighborhood of Washington DC who wants to play the cello. His story and rise to fame is compulsive reading and immensely enjoyable. However, after reading approximately 50% of the novel, there is a drastic change in his life and that of his family and the abrupt deviation of the story into the world of comic books and podcasts was not at all interesting to this reader and the conclusion, while exciting, is somewhat ludicrous. I thank NetGalley and Doubleday Books for the opportunity to read and review this book prior to publication.

Wow, I read this in almost one sitting. What a story, What great character development. Brendon Slocomb is a genious and his fans will love this. The epilogue only made it even more powerful but wow, just wow wow wow....it kept me going from beginning to end. Now, I do have to say, I predicted part of the ending but it was part of the story's harmony. The love between the characters was palpable and I am kind of dissappointed I don't have more to read and now have to wait for the authors next book.. All his fans are going to love it.