This book was so good. The last half of the book had me mesmerized. I couldn’t put it down and I felt so stressed for these characters. What an amazing book.

In THE DARK MAESTRO, written by Brendan Slocumb, Curtis Wilson is a cello prodigy, who grows up in the projects in Southeast D.C. Each of the book’s chapters feature one of three perspectives—Curtis, Zippy (Curtis’s father), or Larissa (Zippy’s girlfriend). Zippy is a low-level drug dealer, and Larissa is a nurturing figure in Curtis’s life who also has a crew that provides escort and other services. I am interested in finding out more about Zippy and Larissa and how their lives intersect with Curtis’s. I want to know what happens and read on.
I like this book and enjoy gaining an insight into the life of a musician. I especially like Curtis’s early experiences (age five) with his quarter-sized cello. His love of comics brings another aspect to his character. When Curtis’s music abilities first explode, being on TV is not an option. Reading about the life of a cello prodigy may not be everyone's cup of tea, but I find it interesting and thoroughly enjoyable. While the change in the story’s direction surprises me a little, I have to keep reading to the end. I’m glad I get the experience of reading the author’s note following the conclusion of the novel. Thank you, Doubleday Books and NetGalley, for the chance to read and review an advance reader copy of THE DARK MAESTRO.

In Brendan Slocumb's The Dark Maestro, a comic book-loving cello virtuoso unravels a vicious criminal conspiracy that even the FBI can't crack.

When the story opens, Curtis is a young cello prodigy living in D.C. with his dad, Zippy, a low level drug dealer, and Zippy's girlfriend, Larissa, who also is involved in crime. Eventually, Zippy serves time for selling drugs, after which he pursues even riskier illegal schemes while Curtis, though dogged by his family's crime connections, advances in his musical studies and becomes a well known concert artist-- until Zippy's misdeeds land him, Larissa, and Curtis in the federal witness protection program. That ends Curtis's musical career but redirects his artistry into an online comic book series featuring a crime-busting super-hero and a musical soundtrack, with Larissa and Zippy collaborating in Curtis's fictional and real life crime fighting exploits.

This novel lost me when Curtis left the classical music world and entered the federal witness protection program. I was in it for the thriller's focus on Curtis's professional career and family entanglements. But once he and his family got into witness protection and became comic book creators and crime-busters, I just wasn't able to suspend my skepticism of the more fantastical aspects of the plot. I've enjoyed Slocumb's other novels. This one just wasn't for me.

Brendan Slocumb's books have been ones I've been meaning to get to, but I'm not mad at starting here with The Dark Maestro. It was a great combination of literary fiction and a touch of thriller, with comic book and music themes that really worked for me.

Brendan Slocumb has cemented his place as one of my 'must-read' authors, and after The Dark Maestro, I cannot wait to see what he writes next!

In his new novel, Curtis, a cello prodigy, is the recipient of a scholarship from the Delaney Foundation which readers will remember from Symphony of Secrets. He is truly a hardship case, as he is being raised by his father, a drug dealer who is looking forward to bringing Curtis into the family business, in a crime-riddled neighborhood. The novel does an excellent job of helping readers understand how difficult it is for children from underprivileged backgrounds to break free of their circumstances. Curtis is met with many obstacles, and just when he is poised to see major success, his world comes crashing down and he must give up everything he has achieved.

The author's notes explain where the inspiration for the novel came from, and it brought new light to the book's subject matter. The entire novel felt like a cross between S.A. Cosby's crime thrillers and Robin Cook's medical novels, both favorites of mine, as well. I also enjoyed the comic book/superhero angle which added a fun aspect to a grim story.

The suspense was pretty intense for much of the book, as I kept waiting for the family's actions to come back on them. The final scene was not completely unexpected, though how it evolved was a bit of a surprise.

Thank you to Netgalley and Doubleday Books for the digital ARC of The Dark Maestro by Brendan Slocumb. The opinions in this review are my own.

Following Brendan Slocumb‘s first two books, he’s become one of my favorite authors, especially for his unique blend of music, discussions of race, and crime fiction. His newest book, The Dark Maestro, came out earlier this week. While it has his trademarks—here, a Black cellist from a low class background—this one focuses more on the gritty crimes happening and ultimately has a superhero arc.

When Curtis and his family are detained by the FBI for some unsavory business his dad, Zippy, got involved in, they’re forced to go into Witness Protection for their safety. But the bad guys continue to elude law enforcement and Curtis is getting impatient to get his life back. He and his family ultimately take matters into their own hands to track down the criminals and reclaim their lives.

What I Liked:
- Music as an escape. For Curtis, playing cello is the one thing that brings him joy and a sense of self outside the poverty, drugs, and crime he grows up around. From the age of five, he carves out a space for himself and becomes the glue that holds his small family together.
- Comic books as bonding and saving lives. Though Curtis has always loved comic books, it isn’t until he, his dad Zippy, and his step-mom Larissa are in Witness Protection that they start bonding over their own comic book creation, the Dark Maestro. But can comic book superheroes transcend the page and save lives in the real world?
- Blending classical music with rap. Zippy likes rap; Curtis plays classical music on his cello. Eventually, they come to appreciate each other’s music and even create their own blend of the two. Aww!
- Three POVs. Throughout the novel, we get to see what and why each of the main characters does what they do. Curtis, Larissa, and Zippy each have their own goals and setbacks to overcome.
- The low class background. This book doesn’t shy away from showing the harsh realities that many face. This family grows up in an area known for gangs and drugs. Zippy had few opportunities and ended up selling drugs; when he later started working on the black market, it was only with the intention of providing for his family. When Curtis sets his sights on becoming a concert cellist, the odds are against him due to his poor background.

What Didn’t Work for Me:
- Second half was a bit disjointed. While I loved the first 33% of this book, it then takes an abrupt turn and ends up becoming something different than I’d anticipated. The themes are interesting (and resonant, especially after reading the author’s note at the back!), but the way it all unfolds felt less immersive and cohesive than the first part. You also have to suspend disbelief quite a bit.
- More music please! Curtis’s focus on music and playing cello is so important at the beginning of the book, but it starts to fade away, too, as the story progresses.

Final Thoughts
The Dark Maestro is a bit of a departure for Brendan Slocumb. Although it certainly weaves in many themes that have already become his signature, this one leans more heavily on comic books, a superhero arc, and lives ruined by nefarious criminals. It actually plays out like a movie, so I could see an adaptation working. Even with the differences, I still enjoyed this novel and will be looking for the author’s next book.

The Dark Maestro by Brendan Slocumb was a very good read. It tells the story of Curtis Wilson, a classical cellist, who rises above the worst part of DC to become a virtuoso. Even though his father Zippy is a drug dealer he loved his son. Zippy's girlfriend Larissa also truly loved him.
Curtis loses himself in comic books and super heroes and uses this interest to get his family out of trouble.
It was a little far fetched in the latter half of the book but still interesting

Cello prodigy Curtis Wilson has worked hard to get where he is, a famous soloist who came from the DC projects with a ex-con drug dealing father. Then one day he is forced to leave it all to enter the witness protection program because of crimes his father perpetrated. No longer permitted to play, Curtis has to come up with other outlets for his talent and energy, including creating the Dark Maestro character and eventually trying to solve the case that has them stuck in anonymity.

It pains me to say this because I loved Slocumb’s first two books (like really loved), but this one didn’t do it for me. Maybe my fault because I assumed it would be like his other novels (a mystery from the start) - but I didn’t really enjoy it until the mystery/thriller part started very far into the book. If you haven’t read the Violin Conspiracy or Symphony of Secrets - they are excellent; this one just didn’t grab me in the same way.

3.5 stars

Thank you to Doubleday and NetGalley for the ARC to review

My third book by this author, I’ve enjoyed all of them. Who would’ve thought you can read a book about a Black cellist, crime, comic books with a splash of commentary on power and corruption? I never know where the author is going to go with his books and they’re a fun fun ride. Highly recommend his books!

A musical prodigy's rise is arrested by his father's dark past

Given the circumstances into which he was born, Curtis Wilson was an unlikely candidate to excel in performing classical music. His father Zippy, a man good with numbers whose dreams of studying to be an accountant ended when his girlfriend became pregnant and Zippy became a teenage father. Living in Southeast DC didn't present Zippy with many options to support his new family and he became a drug dealer. Curtis's birth mother quickly bailed on the idea of motherhood so it was Zippy and his new girlfriend Larissa who raised the boy: for Curtis, Larissa is his mother. When Curtis is given the opportunity through a school program to study a musical instrument he chooses the cello, and the combination of his innate musical abilities and his willingness to practice and learn reveals that he is a one in a million musician. While it should (and does) open doors for Curtis, it also puts an uncomfortable amount of focus on his family (a fact that doesn't sit well with Zippy). Larissa remains a strong supported of Curtis even after she and Zippy break up, and alongside his teacher Miss Daniela their encouragement and belief in him make Curtis soar. Then Zippy informs on his bosses and in doing so puts a target on the back of all of his family. The authorities think that putting them into a witness protection program. will keep them safe from the men who mean the Wilson family harm, but it becomes clear that it will be up to Zippy, Curtis and Larissa to stand up to the criminals. They pool their talents and efforts to expose the evil the men have been doing, but will it be enought to keep them alive?
Author Brendan Slocumb mixes elements of classical music and comic books into this fast-paced thriller, Curtis's passion for these two subjects infuse the whole story, as does the imperfect but strong father/son relationship between Zippy and Curtis. The main characters all come vividly to life within the pages, and the love they share is palpable. With its blend of action and emotions Dark Maestor is a compelling read likely to be enjoyed by readers of S. A. Crosby, Walter Mosley and Alex Segura as well as lovers of thrillers threaded with music. My thanks to NetGalley and Doubleday Books for allowing me access to this well-crafter thriller in exchange for my honest review.

I love the way Slocum writes about music, about feeling music, and here he joins that with a love for comic books (!) The story starts with a boy who has talent but lives in poverty, rising to become a celebrated concert cellist before his ex-con father's seemingly legitimate job turns out to be a criminal operation. He, his father, and the woman who has been a mother to him, have to go into hiding. When they get fed up with an FBI investigation that is going nowhere, they take on the case themselves. The conclusion, like their creative mashup of rap, classical music, and comics, goes over the top, but it's exhilarating to go there with them. This author isn't afraid to try out new ideas and follow them where they might lead.

I thought it started off great. I liked Curtis and his musical ability made him an interesting character, but then it just went off the rails as a comic book slash action movie. It dragged in a lot of parts and I found myself scanning through pages toward the end just to get to the end of the book. Way too many details which may be great for a movie script, but as a novel it just seemed unnecessary detail to slog through.

The Dark Maestro is page-turning contemporary fiction with generous sides of classical music, superheroes, and suspense.

Young Curtis is a musical prodigy who (seemingly) escapes the inner-city of Washington, DC to achieve success with the New York City Philharmonic. His father is a drug dealer, and when he falls out of favor with the cartel and provides information to the authorities, the family’s only choice is to enter into a witness protection program. This complicates all of their lives, keeps them on the run, and Curtis is forced to give up his career in classical music. Life in the witness protection program is difficult and complicated, but things turn dangerous when Curtis and his family decide to take down the cartel themselves. Curtis turns to his superhero Dark Maestro for strength and inspiration.

If you’ve seen interviews with Slocumb, you might know that in addition to classical music, he is into superheroes, comics, and action figures. We haven’t seen evidence of his love of superheroes in his previous work like we do in this story. If you love superheroes, you will appreciate this aspect of the story!

The Dark Maestro is a mashup of classical music, crime fiction, superheroes, mystery, intrigue, thriller, and suspense. In my opinion, it’s quite different from his previous two novels. There’s no shortage of tense, page-turning action in the story’s latter half.

We care a great deal for Curtis and his happiness. He makes it out of the inner-city, but he cannot escape his family and the cartel. We are bereft when he is forced to abandon his career in classical music and go into hiding. Curtis is disappointed in his father and has the best relationship with his stepmother, who is nurturing and looks out for him. Slocumb draws a realistic and bleak picture of lives controlled by drugs and the cartel. How does a child prodigy from the inner-city escape a dysfunctional family and a life of crime and drugs?

Content Consideration: drugs, gang violence

Fans of Brendan Slocumb who also enjoy crime fiction, classical music, and superheroes will want to add this riveting story to their TBRs. If you appreciate diverse reads, “own voices,” and unlikely heroes, this story will hold your attention.

Thanks #NetGalley @DoubleDayBooks for a complimentary eARC of #TheDarkMaestro upon my request. All opinions are my own.

𝓐𝓾𝓭𝓲𝓸𝓫𝓸𝓸𝓴 𝓡𝓮𝓿𝓲𝓮𝔀
4 ⭐️
🗓️ Happy Publication Day 5/13/25

This was my first read by the author @brendanslocumb and now I have to go back to read the rest of his catalog. First thank you @prhaudio @netgalley and @doubledaybooks for my free copy of this one. I’m going to start by saying I’m praying my son chooses violin next year in school. The book starts in south DC and we are introduced to young Curtis Wilson a cello prodigy. Having a father who is a drug dealer and faced with the dangers of growing up in a neighborhood where you could be killed walking to school; Curtis life dream seems so far out of reach. Curtis fights for the life he wants only to have it stripped away just as quick. He is now in witness protection with his family thanks to his father flipping on his bosses. Curtis literally takes lemons and makes himself lemonade. He becomes his own superhero and director of his own fate. I’m trying so hard not to give away to much but I enjoyed this one as well as the narration. I did feel like the book was a little long initially but the authors note is much needed read/listen for this one. I did expect more from the music aspect than was given.

🏷️#booklover #bookstagram #booksofinstagram #readingtime #ilovebooks #bookblogger #bookblog #booknerdigans #bookishfeatures #bookphotography #yalit #yabooks #currentlyreading #igreads #instaread #bookworm #bookdragons #violín #prodigy #chicago

I’m a big fan of Brendan Slocumb. I thoroughly enjoyed reading his previous books The Violin Conspiracy and Symphony of Secrets. I was super excited to have the opportunity to read his latest book Dark Maestro, and I really loved listening to the curated classical music playlist that the author suggested while I read the book. Dark Maestro is a totally immersive, engaging, mesmerizing page-turner. I like when writers give their readers a glimpse into their own lives, and the things they really enjoy. Brendan Slocumb blends two of his passions music and comics into his third classical music thriller. Dark Maestro had me hooked from the very first chapter, and kept me captivated until the very last page. A huge thank you to Doubleday Books, the author and NetGalley for the advanced digital copy of the book.

The premise of this propulsive thriller follows Curtis Wilson a cello prodigy who is growing up in the Southeast rough D. C. projects with his low-level drug dealing father Zippy, and his father’s girlfriend, Larissa. Both of them love and care for Curtis. They want to what’s best for him, but they also lead a lifestyle that’s very detrimental. Curtis is fervent about playing the cello, and has natural music ability. Through sheer determination, talent, along with support from Larissa, who also introduces Curtis to the world of comic superheroes during this time, he eventually is able to overcome his tough circumstances to make it into Juilliard where he excels to reach incredible heights in the classical musical world.

However, life can have an unexpected way of derailing the progress of success. And one day just after his solo performance with the New York Philharmonic Curtis’s life takes a drastic turn. His father, Zippy, turns state evidence for the FBI incriminating the drug bosses he worked for. Now the family must enter into witness protection — including Curtis, ending his extraordinary musical rise. But when the drug cartel bosses prove to be too powerful to take down. Zippy, Larissa and Curtis must come up new identities and with a plan of survival. They will have to combine all of their abilities — including Curtis’s musical talent if they want to take down the cartel, and stay alive.

Dark Maestro is a fantastic, soul-stirring, highly entertaining story about love, sacrifice and the indomitable resilience of the human spirit. This is a book that should not be missed out on, one to add to the top of your reading list.

Brendan Slocumb has done it again with his latest release, 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘋𝘢𝘳𝘬 𝘔𝘢𝘦𝘴𝘵𝘳𝘰, a mystery thriller novel that truly hits all the right notes! 🎶

From a young age, Curtis Wilson was extremely passionate about playing the cello, but his life took a dramatic turn with his father Zippy’s “extracurricular activities” forces Curtis, Zippy and Larissa to go on the run and having to enter the witness protection program.

Curtis’s dreams of continuing his career as a renowned cellist have come to an abrupt halt for the foreseeable future.

During this time Curtis, along with the help of Larissa and Zippy, develop a online comic book starring The Dark Maestro who is battling the same issues that Curtis and his family are dealing with in real time.

The plot of this novel is expertly orchestrated that it practically demands a standing ovation by the last page. The emotional depth, paired with a crescendo of suspense is perfectly paced and kept me hooked from start to finish.

The author’s note at the end is a must-read that offers incredible context to tie everything together and makes the story really resonate.

Bravo Brendan Slocumn on a job well done with 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘋𝘢𝘳𝘬 𝘔𝘢𝘦𝘴𝘵𝘳𝘰! I will read anything that this author puts out.

many thx to @prhaudio for the free audiobook! ronald peet’s audiobook narration brings curtis’s voice to life with warmth and emotion.

the dark maestro is a gripping story about curtis wilson, a young cello prodigy from d.c. whose life is turned upside down when his father—a drug dealer—testifies against a cartel. curtis and his family are forced into witness protection, and he has to leave behind everything he knows, including his music. the story is fast-paced and emotional, blending family drama, danger, and the healing power of art. one unique part of the book is the comic curtis’s family creates—also called the dark maestro—which becomes their way of staying strong through it all. slocumb does a great job showing how music, love, and storytelling can help people survive the hardest things.

🫶🏾— as someone who has taught in tough schools, the beginning of this story hit hard. ms. daniela’s belief in curtis reminded me of the kids i used to fight for every day—the ones who just need someone to say, you’re capable, you’re worth it, and you can go far. 🥹

⚠️: don’t skip the author’s note at the end—it adds powerful insight into what inspired this book and you soon realize how everything comes together perfectly into place.

⭐️ 4.5 stars!!

The Dark Maestro by Brendan Slocumb follows child music prodigy Curtis as he gets his first experiences with music and eventually becomes a cellist despite his criminal minded father. Unfortunately that criminal minded father pulls Curtis into the world of witness protection due to some serious crimes and possible retaliation.

I have enjoyed Slocumb’s previous books- especially The Violin Conspiracy. This one started off strong but got extremely unrealistic for me in the second half. I always enjoy a mystery and superhero stuff, but added to the realistic beginning it wasn’t a great second half for me. I love the musical connections in Slocumb’s book and will continue to read new ones even though this wasn’t my favorite.

The Dark Maestro is a novel about a cello prodigy, Curtis. who grew up in the hood with a dad who was just trying to do right by him. But when doing right lands Curtis into witness protection to hide from some high-level bad guys...Curtis's dreams of just playing cello seem to be dashed into the ground.

This was the first Brendan Slocumb book I had read although I have both of his other books on my TBR (and even own one!) and I thoroughly enjoyed the way the plot came together. I don't know very much about classical music so much of that went over my head as did the raps written out but I think this would have made an excellent audiobook for those reasons. I especially enjoyed how Slocumb interwove Curtis's love for comic books and music into one storyline and I felt like I really got to know the main character.

As I was reading the novel, I initially felt that some of the characters were acting out of frustration and not seeing the bigger picture. But upon reading the author's note I do think the frustration in today's world makes a lot of sense. There are plenty of frustrating things in this world that we're all angry about, much like the characters in this novel.

Overall, I really enjoyed this novel; it was a gripping and engaging read and I gave it 4.75/5 stars. Thank you to Doubleday Books and Netgalley for providing an ARC in exchange for my honest review!

This is a great book. My first of this Author. Plan to read other books. Excited to meet him in person during book tour.