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.

I played the viola for six years nearly everyday. One of my most vivid memories is of opening my case and finding my beloved instrument with a crack right down the middle of one of the f- holes... right before a concert. Now the thought of being at the level of expertise that Ray is at and getting ready for such a competition only to find my instrument stolen and my ownership of it in dispute.. well we've all seen that music teacher's outburst ( don't worry I could never do that to an instrument). Slocumb has successfully created a wonderful novel that successfully kept me on the edge of my seat, arm up, no pancake hand in sight,

Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC which I received in return for an honest review

(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.

I was given an Advanced Reader Copy from Netgalley and the publishers in exchange for an Honest Review.

I give this 2.5 stars rating down to 2 stars for the purpose of this rating system.

This novel has a lot of interesting elements to it. It follows a young black man who is an underdog in every way as the attempts to rise to the top of his field. He struggles with low self worth, an unsupportive money hungry family, and multiple other issues. It should have made for an interesting read.

I just don't think the execution was great. It is a coming to age with a little bit of mystery. The blurb suggests that we will be following the story about Ray McMillian trying to get his violin after it is stolen for ransom. That is how it starts however it quickly switches to 7 years ago (the start of his journey of becoming a professional musician) and it slowly works it self back to the present.

This takes a up a good portion of the book and while I think some backstory was needed and helped me understand the main character and his family more. This issue came in that because it went on for so long it became very repetitive and I started to lose interest. Each chapter we would have Ray go up in age and deal with the same racial abuse from different people. It was never ending. It slowed down the pace of the book tremendously. Which is time that could have went towards building a mystery.

I read the author's note and I understand that he had to put up with a lot of the unfortunate racist attacks just because he a black boy/man trying to play violin. As a black woman I can certainly empathize with the author. However, I think it would have been better if he had written a non fiction so that people could properly bare witness to all he had to endure, Because putting in so many examples of racism into THIS book did not add to the story. It only served to neglect other elements.

Even when we got back to the present the book seemed to be going nowhere.

I was able to read this book quickly but I did not enjoy it.

The pace in this was far slower than expected for this genre. As a result, it was a struggle to stay engaged. The mystery itself was just okay.

Well-written mystery with a black man as the protagonist. He is passionate about playing the violin and must overcome many barriers in this white man’s world as well as a family that wants to ride his coattails when he finds success. A theft of his violin dominates much of the story, but really shows what a master he is as he fights through.

As Ray McMillian is preparing for the international Tchaikovsky Competition, his beloved violin goes missing. But it’s not just any violin, in fact, it’s a Stradivarius, which are the most well-known, top-of-the-line, priceless violins out there. The book is a trek for Ray, attempting to get his violin back, or paying the ransom, before the competition.

In a book infused with intrigue, mystery, and personal & societal obstacles, McMillian is an interesting, dynamic character who we get to see grow throughout the novel. This book is Ray’s journey to retrieve this irreplaceable violin that once belonged to his great-grandfather, a slave. Ray must also fight against the descendants of the man who enslaved his great-grandfather, who believe they are heir to this violin.

I found this book to be an entertaining, fun, and interesting read. This book has a large focus on racism, especially in the classical music world. Classical music is relatively obscure in the current climate of pop culture and nonstop news reels, and a book that revolved around it was fascinating. At times, I did feel confused about the timeline of events, and I did wish that some of the nuances of the plot could’ve come together sooner in the novel, but this very well could be due to my primary background in thriller novels, which typically sets the scene much earlier, if not in the prologue, of the novel.

Overall, a great novel. I will definitely be keeping my eyes open for anything Brendan Slocumb writes in the future. I also found that on the author’s website, there was a music playlist which accompanied the book, and I thought this was a great touch.