Another great read from Brendan Slocumb, who just keeps getting better and better. This is, I think, his third novel, and like the first two, it incorporates music and features characters who have musicians' brains. Everything about Curtis Wilson is completely believable, as is his small-time gangster father. The character of Larissa was so lovely. Through all they went through, she loves Curtis as a mother and sticks with Zippy, who may not entirely deserve her loyalty. She shows incredible daring and bravery, both in all the various versions of their lives in Witness Protection and in the family's audacious plan to save themselves. A tiny example: Larissa finds she has a talent for helping women in trouble, and there seems to be no end of women who need her help. "Larissa had worked with women like these all her life, and she knew how to engage them. How a small act of kindness...handing them an already-peeled orange--could be the first step to circle out of whatever grim place they'd retreated into." For some reason that one detail really stayed with me. Handing someone an already-peeled orange is indeed a kindness. I don't want to spoil the plot, but wow. This story is both plot- and character-driven, so what's not to like? As the persona of the Dark Maestro slowly begins to take shape, first in their obscure and un-followed web comic and then later in real life, when the seriously evil villains are after them and they have to save themselves by their own wits, it is hard to put this book down. Highly recommended for pretty much any adult who likes a good story. May the Dark Maestro become "an icon for the poor and silenced" indeed. And somebody needs to make a playlist.

Review of Uncorrected eBook Proof

Curtis Wilson is playing Kabalevsky’s Cello Concerto no. 2, op. 77 with the New York Philharmonic at Lincoln Center. Reviews mention his “prodigious abilities,” calling him a “rising star.”

Yet this is Curtis Wilson’s final performance.

What happened to end the cello prodigy’s musical performances? Will he ever find a way to play again? And what will he do if he cannot play his music?

=========

Beginning with his early life, readers meet kindergartener Curtis when he is five years old and has his first opportunity to play a musical instrument. He chooses the cello. From the outset, it is clear that Curtis has a special musical talent, an exceptional gift.

But his father’s drug dealing puts the family in a precarious position. As the unfolding story reveals the obstacles in his life, readers are sure to sympathize with the little boy who wants nothing more than to make music with his cello. Curtis’s love for music and for his cello comes through on every page, a love that is sure to touch every reader’s heart.

Well-developed characters, a strong sense of place, and references to wonderful music all work together to keep those pages turning as fast as possible. Readers may find it difficult to set this book aside before reaching the final page.

Readers follow Curtis as his music talent continues to shine; family relationships play an integral part in the telling of this tale. When his father’s activities force Curtis to step away from music, readers may be surprised to discover the new road he chooses to follow as the story reaches its unexpected denouement.

Highly recommended.

Be sure to read the Author’s Note following the story . . . readers are sending you thoughts and prayers for a full recovery, Brendan.

I received a free copy of this eBook from Doubleday Books / Doubleday and NetGalley
#TheDarkMaestro #NetGalley

I have read each of Brendan Slocumb’s books so I was excited to jump into the world of a music mystery. And let me tell you, this one is unlike any you have read. Ultimately this is a drastically different story compared to the others but similar themes are present. This one has comics and everything in it. Could this really happen? Probably not. Did I enjoy every second of reading this? Heck yes. I think this is a fun ride and enjoyable book to read.

I received a free advanced copy of this book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Dark Maestro
The Violin Conspiracy is one of my recent favorite books. I met the author in person at a book discussion and I couldn’t have been impressed more. I was so excited to get an advance copy of Slocumb’s latest book, Dark Maestro. The book starts out with 5 year old Curtis proving himself a child prodigy playing the cello. His Dad Zippy was a 17 year old high school kid, when Curtis was born and Curtis’s mother didn’t want anything to do with him. Much credit goes to Zippy taking on raising a baby as a teenager. Unfortunately Zippy supports Curtis and his new girlfriend Larissa by working for a drug lord selling drugs. In spite of all the odds, Curtis goes on to graduate high school, and getting accepted to Juliard to study music and the cello. Curtis becomes a highly accepted and popular cello player. So far, so good. In the second part of the book, due to Zippy’s involvement in the black market organ trading
, and his giving up his bosses, the family, Zippy, Larissa and Curtis have to enter the witness protection program to save their lives. My opinion is that the novel takes a downhill turn from this part on. Curtis, not being able to play the cello gets into authoring an online comic book called Dark Maestro. I found the description of the comic book characters and plots boring and skipped some of the detailed descriptions. When the three take matters into their own hands to find and punish the “ bad guys” , the plot becomes totally contrived and unbelievable. I wish I could give this novel 4-5 stars but can’t give it more than three.
I received an advanced copy, opinions are my own.

Another excellent story by a master writer.. The characters, plot, and settings are expertly crafted to provide a great reading experience.

This serves as an incredible origin story for "the Dark Maestro." Whether you read this as a fan of the symphony and the brilliant child prodigy raised by Zippy and Larissa, or as a comic book fan, this is a wild ride.

The reader follows Curtis as he grows and becomes a successful Cellist, though his father Zippy is a low-level drug dealer in DC. Zippy gets caught up in some other shady dealings and the family is swept up by the FBI and put in witness protection.

This is only the first half of the book... the second half takes the reader on a journey that I wasn't prepared for but it was well worth the read and I don't want to spoil it for anyone!

I highly recommend this book and many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

Brendan Slocumb is absolutely the best storyteller and author that I have read this year! I loved The Violin Conspiracy and when I saw this book, The Dark Maestro, by Mr. Slocumb, I knew it was going to be the bomb! What a story! I was glued to this book and read it in one day.

Zippy, the dad, Larissa, the girlfriend/almost wife and the best, Curtis! Curtis, the most gifted prodigy of a cello player and what happens to their lives is the story and what a story it is! The Dark Maestro is a comic book character they create which goes hand in hand with the full drama of this incredibly engrossing novel.

No spoilers here, just know that this book will definitely become number 1 on the best seller list!
It is that good! and even better than that! Mr. Slocumb's prose is indelibly mosaic, graphic, and deliciously well written. The Dark Maestro is a great story with great writing. Thank you, Brendan Slocumb...and then I read his Author's Notes....well, you just have to read it all!
I recommend this book with my highest accolades....!

Classical music prodigy Curtis Wilson has it all figured out after making it out of inner city DC. He's worked his way through Juilliard and is now performing a solo with the New York Philharmonic on his beloved cello.

However, his father, Zippy, and Zippy's long time girlfriend Larissa, who has been a mother figure to Curtis since he was small, have other ideas. Zippy is a midlevel drug dealer and gets into it with the drug kingpin, leaving the whole family no choice but to enter witness protection and to upend their entire lives. Curtis is determined to get them out of this mess, but can he do it before it's too late? I finished Slocumb's 600 page novel in 3 days because it was so propulsive and I couldn't put it down. I'll read anything he writes!

The story flowed well and the characters were well developed. I recommend this book and look forward to more from this author.


****Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an ARC in exchange for my honest review****

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.