Exciting, suspenseful and page turning. I really enjoyed Curtis' journey to right wrongs that were done to him and his family.

Rating: 4 Stars

This was one of my most anticipated read of the year, and I'm glad I was able to get it so quickly. I read this on audio, narrated by the author as he usually does, and the audio was so dynamic and engaging.

I will say that it's hard not to compare this book to his previous ones, and this one felt a bit... lacking... in comparison. Still a good book, but it lost me a bit in the middle, and when it came back around, I had a bit of whiplash.

As usual of late, a disclosure that I've been struggling to get drawn into anything (the slump of all slumps), so I don't know that I'm being entirely fair to this novel. It really did take me to places I wasn't expecting, and I thought the ending was so wild and fun to listen to, so it was worth the finish.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for giving me an ARC of this one!

I thoroughly enjoyed Brendan Slocumb's two previous books. As a "band kid" and wife of a band director, anything music-related is bound to resonate with me. I'm also from North Carolina, so the often familiar settings also just bring about a sense of nostalgia that I really enjoy. This book added in a superhero/comic aspect as well, which was an unexpected, but fun, combination.

Here's my breakdown:
Characters: 3.5/5

I enjoyed the characters in this book, but some of the POV characters felt a little less rich compared to Slocumb's previous books. I just didn't latch on to them the same way I had in the previous books.

Plot: 2.5/5

This was a little too much plot for such a short book. Too many pieces to fit together and not enough time spent making it feel "real." There is quite a bit of "suspension of disbelief" that I feel has to happen in order to buy into the suspense. On the other hand, if the characters had been built up a little more, I might have believed some of the investigative tactics working more than I did.

Storytelling: 4/5

I enjoy Slocumb's writing and his way of weaving in backstory. I have become accustomed to Slocumb's use of various timelines and character POVs to tell his story, but I felt the three POVs in this book were too many at some points and not enough in others. I think if the POVs were less structured in the way they switched back and forth between each other, that it may have added to the movement and pace of the story. The constant pattern of which POV to expect next took a bit of the anticipation out of the book.

Enjoyment: 4/5

Atmosphere: 4/5

For a book involving music and musical references, this is fantastic! Even though I play winds instead of strings, the inclusion of specific pieces or emotions related to music and playing were spot on. For a book with a comic/superhero aspect, this could have been a benefitted from some panels or art work sprinkled amongst the pages. Descriptions of the scenes didn't allow me to picture one specific style or consistent theme amongst the panels discussed. I would have loved to have seen some examples to focus my mental creations later on. The mystery aspects of this book were not always believable, but the tone and vibes were great.

I love Slocumb's books, and I will continue to pick up everything he writes. "The Dark Maestro" is a fun addition to the books he has already published. I can't wait to see what he comes up with next!

This is the third book I've read from Brendan Slocumb and I don't think I'll ever get enough. My heart broke for Curtis ten times over throughout the course of this story. Slocumb is able to write about difficult topics with such originality and memorable characters. I connected with Larissa, felt deeply saddened for Zippy and his burdens, and have met so many Curtises throughout my life. This trio of characters sprang off the page and into my imagination with ease.

Although I found the ending a bit rushed and unrealistic, I think ultimately that feeling added to the classic comicbook charm. While I would have liked to get a bit more closure, sometimes that's just how life is, and it didn't keep me from overall enjoying the book.

Can't wait to see what comes from Slocumb next!

4/5 stars or 8/10

THE DARK MAESTRO is Brendan Slocumb’s third novel. Slocumb, himself a musician, continues his practice of having an unlikely musician blossom when afforded opportunities and support, and his knowledge of the life of a musician is an asset.

In this title, we are introduced to Curtis, a disadvantaged Black boy who discovers his love of the cello when offered an instrument and lessons through a grant. He is a prodigy and is quickly noticed. Zippy, his father, is a drug-dealer, and Larissa is the mother figure; Curtis’s success and public attention are not always welcome, as Zippy wants to stay under the radar.

The story is narrated in installments by our three main characters. It isn’t long before our characters run into serious trouble, and a majority of the book is them trying to get by when constrained by the slow-moving arc of justice.

The book’s cover is clever and hints at the superhero Curtis invents: The Dark Maestro, who, through the power of his music, takes on villain after villain, moving ever closer to an uncertain end.

I found this one to be more violent than I expected and it required a fair suspension of disbelief, but I was still entertained enough to want to know how the story would conclude, even if not on the same level of Slocumb’s previous titles. I was also intrigued by the video comic series, wishing I could have seen that come to life.

(Thank you to Doubleday Books for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.)

I am a huge Slocumb fan so I was extremely excited to receive this ARC. I thoroughly enjoyed the majority of the story. As with Slocumb’s previous novels, the characters were so richly developed. I loved getting to know them.
I didn’t love the whole comic book thing and I thought it went a little too far, BUT I get that Slocumb is an avid fan so good for him.

Looking forward to his next!

Thank you to NetGalley and Doubleday for ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher, Doubleday, for the eARC of this book for reading and review.
I know this is the author's 3rd novel, and had heard good things about the first, so I was excited to read this book.

The book started out well! The story of a young cello prodigy who comes from a disadvantaged background. Curtis is blessed with a caring music teacher and music seems to be a way out of the drug-dealing life of his father Zippy, and his father's girlfriend, Larrissa. But ultimately, Zippy's way of life puts them all in danger and they all must enter into the witness protection program to live. What Curtis does to cope with this sudden life change is how the Dark Maestro is born.

The pacing in this book is off-putting. The storyline started interesting, and held my attention. When the storyline takes a shift, the story was not as interesting, and it drags a lot. Additionally the story becomes over the top, so far from possible, to the point I was irritated and I was no longer enjoying my reading experience. There are times when too much is written, and others when there is a jump in events, gaps in explanations. Very choppy. The ending felt like a cop out.

I think with some scene changes, and edits to the ending, this book would be better as an older YA book.

a low 3.5 Stars overall.

I loved his other 2 books but this one was just a bit too unbelievable and over the top for me. It also felt a bit too choppy at times in writing & the plot. The last quarter of the book was almost ridiculous. I really wanted to like it more. I did enjoy the comic book piece and the family coming together to produce it but overall the plot, writing just didn’t work for me.

I want to thank Net Galley for an advance readers copy of this novel.

This is not a light fluffy story about a supremely gifted cellist. He came from a dark beginning and while having been given the ability to transform his life despite his situation, other events transpire to completely derail his life. Forced into hiding and without the ability to perform, his life's dream, his only true peace, he must learn to survive without it. Not at all the story I was expecting but all in all a satisfying story about relationships, faith, trust and redemption.

Brendan Slocumb’s The Dark Maestro is a genre-blending thriller that harmonizes the precision of classical music with the pulse of a high-stakes crime saga.

Curtis Wilson, a gifted cellist from Southeast Washington, D.C., rises from humble beginnings to perform with the New York Philharmonic. His ascent is abruptly halted when his father, Zippy, a low-level drug dealer, turns state's witness against his criminal associates. The family enters the witness protection program, severing Curtis from his musical career.As law enforcement struggles to apprehend the cartel, Curtis, Zippy, and Larissa—Zippy's girlfriend and Curtis's surrogate mother—take matters into their own hands, using their unique skills to confront the criminals threatening their lives.

Slocumb masterfully weaves themes of sacrifice, loyalty, and resilience into a narrative that is both thrilling and poignant.The novel explores the complexities of family dynamics and the lengths to which individuals will go to protect their loved ones. The integration of Curtis's musical talent adds depth to the story, highlighting how art can serve as both a refuge and a weapon. For me, it was The Dark Maestro's intricate plotting and compelling characters that made this such a special read.

The Dark Maestro is a testament to Brendan Slocumb's storytelling prowess. It offers a unique fusion of music, crime, and family drama, resulting in a narrative that is both entertaining and thought-provoking. For readers seeking a novel that challenges genre conventions while delivering a compelling story, The Dark Maestro is an exceptional choice.

Most of the main characters in this novel are the down-on-their-luck types with like-able personalities. From the beginning when a child cello protege grows up with a good intentioned, low-level criminal father and his big-hearted, save-the-world girlfriend, the plot moves forward swiftly. All too soon, the narrative changes to involve the protective custody marshals, an inept group of FBI, and really bad rich guys involved in multi-country crimes. In the midst of this, a super hero online comic book is born.

I really have mixed feelings about this story. I loved the way the author tells a story and enjoyed the music parts a lot. Even the “good” guys vs bad guys portion was entertaining. It was simply difficult for me to grasp why a grown man needed an alter superhero identity to feel good? important? whole? But then, I’ve never caught the comic book bug.

Thanks to NetGalley and Doubleday for the ARC to read and review.

I loved Slocumb's debut, was mid about his second, and was excited to see where I'd land with this one.

It started off strong - I was totally invested in how this was going to all pan out. But once Curtis and his friends figured they could find the kingpin that even the FBI couldn't track down, my interest started to wane.

I do love how Slocumb has found his niche with his music and instrument knowledge. It's fascinating how he has been able to take this little corner of the world and write such interesting books. I hope his next book is better for me.

This is a tale of two books. The beginning grabbed my attention and kept me turning the pages. Curtis is a cello prodigy; a virtuoso with a brilliant future. His talent has allowed him to escape the rough neighborhood where he grew up and finds him playing with the elite New York Philharmonic. Curtis’s story should be a tale of success and endless opportunities if not for his father, Zippy, whose low level drug dealing lands him in the crosshairs of an international criminal cartel.

And this is where the book lost some of its momentum for me. Curtis and Zippy, along with Larissa, Zippy’s girlfriend, enter the witness protection program. There’s a steep price —Curtis is forced to abandon his burgeoning career and still they are not safe.

While much of the second half of the book seems implausible, Slocumb’s talent for crafting characters who come alive on the page kept me reading. He is a gifted writer and his narratives are propulsive and compelling. I just wish this one didn’t require as much head scratching for me.

Thank you to NetGalley and Doubleday Books for the advance copy. All opinions are my own.

The musician turned writer is back with his newest musical thriller. This time we have a musician, a cello, a superhero and a dangerous mystery to be solved.

Curtis is being raised by his father, Zippy and his girlfriend, Larissa after his mother left. Born to teenage parents, Curtis asks to learn the how to play the cello as a young boy and is soon thought to be a local prodigy. Encouraged by Larissa, Curtis goes on to excel as a musician as his father continues to scrape a living bustling with drug dealers, hoping to make a better life for his son.

After a stint in prison, Zippy vows to make things right as Curtis is becoming well-known as a skilled black cellist. Unfortunately, Zippy gets tangled up again but this time, it’s gotten dangerous and the three of them have no choice but to flee DC, shattering Curtis’ dreams of playing with the NY Philharmonic.

But that’s not the end as the three put their heads together in attempt to solve the mystery that might just be able to hand them their lives back. But at what cost…?

I enjoyed this one and appreciated the level of detail that Slocumb always incorporates in his novels. I loved the eventual family dynamic between Zippy and Larissa and Curtis, despite their rocky beginnings. There were parts that dragged a bit for me, however. But overall, I do recommend this if you enjoyed his earlier novels.

Thank you to @doubledaybooks @netgalley for this #gifted early digital copy

When I first read the synopsis for The Dark Maestro, I was surprised because this seemed different from Brendan Slocumb's first two books (The Violin Conspiracy and Symphony of Secrets). The story starts in Southeast DC. Curtis is a cello prodigy raised by his drug dealer father, Zippy, and his father's girlfriend, Larissa. After Curtis' concert, he and his family are taken into witness protection for their safety after Zippy tells the FBI information about his bosses. Over the years, they have to leave their old lives behind, change their identities, and move to different states. But after a while, they get tired of hiding.

I genuinely did not know what to expect when reading this book. There were so many unexpected twists and turns. The pacing was a bit slow in the beginning, but the story was engaging. The ending was bittersweet. Without spoilers, Zippy's character irritated me. Larissa and Curtis were my favorites.

Brendan Slocumb hits a high note with heart and adrenaline in his latest, “The Dark Maestro” (Doubleday, $29), blending classical music, family drama and a dash of comic book flair.

Curtis Wilson is a cello prodigy raised in Washington, D.C., by a drug-dealing father, Zippy, and his fiercely loyal partner, Larissa. Just as Curtis rises to Juilliard and the New York Philharmonic, his father’s criminal past catches up, forcing the family into witness protection and Curtis off the stage. What follows is a genre-bending thriller, as Curtis channels his grief into a homemade comic book hero, and ultimately leads a bold mission to take down an organ trafficking ring.

Slocumb’s storytelling remains emotionally resonant and fast-paced, with vibrant POVs and a deep love for music anchoring the narrative. A bold, unexpected pivot from his earlier works, “The Dark Maestro” is equal parts heartwarming, high-stakes and wildly original.

Best enjoyed without comparing this work to Mr. Slocumb's previous works, in part because it relies on a certain suspension of disbelief. That isn't inherently a bad thing!

A musical prodigy has to go into hiding after his dad’s shady business ventures go south. The beginning of this book was amazing, but somewhere along the way the story got a bit too wacky. I felt like we were doing too many things at once. I’m still a big fan of this author, I loved his first two novels.

Would I recommend this novel? Yes, I would.

The Dark Maestro is fun and suspenseful and full of twists and turns, though I didn’t like it as much as I wanted to. I really enjoyed Slocumb’s prior two novels (The Violin Conspiracy and Symphony of Secrets), so I dove into it with optimism, despite being lukewarm on two of the main themes: organized crime and comic books. If those topics ring your bell, this will probably be a good one for you. The characters are complex and likable, and the story keeps you guessing. However, the pacing was hot and cold, and the plot sometimes felt implausible. Overall, I liked it: three stars, solid.

Thank you to Doubleday Books and netgalley for free access to this book. All opinions are my own.

The Dark Maestro started strong, and my initial reaction was I was going to be in for another 5 star read my Brendan Slocumb. This was a mix of the past coming back to bite you in the butt and a boys' dream to be a comic superhero comes true (to an extent). Told between three main characters and over the course of years, this is a story of family, music, and some shady behavior that leads to witness protection. The first half of the book was fantastic, I loved young Curtis and his story as a musical prodigy growing up in the ghetto. About midway, the book took a detour of sorts and went a bit off the rails for me. Overall, it's a very good novel. Still highly recommend to those that like complex and flawed characters, that like a hint of mystery mixed with a literary read.

Thank you to netgalley and the publisher for an opportunity to read and review honestly an advanced digital copy.