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There is something powerful about playing an instrument. Is it how the instrument draws you in with its sound that captures your soul? Is it how the musician focuses intently on understanding it, let alone mastering it? Is it how the people around you are affected by it and how it can change your lives forever? Or is it that the music lives within us far beyond after we put our instruments down?
"The Dark Maestro" by Brendan Slocumb examines these questions and more in this (in my humble opinion), summer blockbuster of the season! The mystery and suspense in this thriller is intense (in a very good way). There were times when I could not put the book down. I loved how the main character connected so strongly with the cello-thus resonated with me (no pun intended) as a kid who also learned through their after-school program. However, the author's note at the end is what really ties this book together into something more. In a time when we are looking for superheroes, can we answer the call and put on the cape ourselves?

@brendanslocumb I have no words-you have outperformed yourself again. Bravo and 🌟 🌟🌟🌟🌟
Huge thanks to @doubledaybooks and @netgalley for the eARC. This book, fittingly enough, comes out May 13 (before the Memorial Day blockbuster weekend). If you love mystery/thriller, cellos, and justice, do yourself a favor and get this book! #netgalley #thedarkmaesto #bookstagram #read #music #violin

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The author of The Violin Conspiracy and Symphony of Secrets, Mr. Brendan Slocumb’s third musical masterpiece, The Dark Maestro delivers another gripping but yet thrilling mystery, blending it with music and suspense.
The story follows Curtis a talented musician whose world is upended when his family is jeopardized by a series of forces of hidden in the dark. As they navigate the world of classical music, secrets unravel, putting everything at risk. Mr. Slocumb’s ability build to add tension into his story is beautifully written and woven into the story as if it is just a part of the melodic part of the character’s journey.

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4.25 ⭐️

THE DARK MAESTRO by Brendan Slocumb

This novel had a really intriguing, and taken-from-real-life, premise. Curtis is a young, accomplished cellist with a father named Zippy who is earning a living working for a Bad Guy. After a prison stint, Zippy gets involved in an *interesting* business proposition that has the whole family fearing for their lives.

➕ This had a really engaging plot with some unique aspects. Was it a little *too* much in terms of being a little far-fetched? Maybe, but it was still really interesting and I kept wanting to read it.
➕ It was easy to empathize with Curtis.
➕ I really liked how the family collaborated on its project.

➖ There was a lot in this novel in terms of subjects brought up and themes. When I thought about what I wanted more of and less of, I thought the author gave a balanced lens to each item. Maybe it’s more than I can’t wholeheartedly give this novel more than 4.25 stars because of the suspension of disbelief and the sheer quantity of areas brought up.

If you’re a fan of Brendan Slocumb, this one definitely has more plot than THE VIOLIN CONSPIRACY. Actually, at many points when I was reading this, I thought I was reading an S.A. Cosby action-packed novel. (That’s quite a compliment!) I thought it was a strong novel, yet more unique.

Thank you to NetGalley and Doubleday for an Advance Reader Copy in exchange for an unbiased review.

It publishes May 13, 2025.

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In Brendan Slocumbs third novel he has stayed with a musical theme but has also taken a left turn here while adding a superhero theme as well. It centers around Curtis, who at the beginning is a child prodigy cello player, growing up with his father Zippy, who is tied up in the local drug trafficking trade and his girlfriend Larrisa who has a heart of gold but has some shady dealings as well as she does what she has to do to make a living on the poorest streets of Washington D.C.

I really enjoyed the character the development and the growth of these characters, as well as the eventual teamwork that develops on what becomes a family project. I was all in as the family has to go from place to place as they are involved in the witness protection program and really felt for Curtis as he had lose things that were so important to him.

You do really needed to suspend belief in the last section however as the story takes a turn, and I was willing to do that, as the book turns into more of an action story. The Dark Maestro has a unique storyline, and is a bit different from his other 2 novels, but I did find it a page turner and would encourage you to give it a try. Thank you to net galley and Doubleday books for an e galley in exchange for a review.

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I loved Brendan Slocumb’s first two books and I also liked this one, but not as much. The music theme was consistent and well done. The characters were well-drawn and captivating. I didn’t care for the whole gang/drugs storyline. It just didn’t grip be in the same way. Still a worthwhile and entertaining read.

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Toss your preconceived notions about poor minorities in the cities aside. In The Dark Maestro, Brendan Slocumb introduces the reader to Curtis, a musical prodigy, Zippy, his father, and Larissa, the maternal figure in his life. On the surface Zippy and Larissa fit almost all of the stereotypes. Zippy is a drug dealer trying to work his way up the hierarchy of the gang he's in, who eventually gets busted and sent to jail. Larissa is a part of the same gang, just managing the women that are the side pieces of the gang. But the reader learns that Zippy is there trying to support and provide a good life for his son, born when Zippy was a teenager to a mother that abandoned them. With a head for figures, Zippy always dreamed of being an accountant. Larissa becomes increasingly focused on helping provide a new life for women who have been abused or addicted to drugs, rehabilitating them and helping them with job placement for a better life. And Curtis. All Curtis wants to do is play his cello. A skill that he's beyond exceptional at and is lucky enough to have a person in his life that recognizes his talent and helps get him on a path where it can help get him off the dangerous streets in which he lives. When Zippy gets out of prison, he's acquired more training in accounting and gets offered a new opportunity by the gang leader to be a part of something much more lucrative than dealing drugs. Not questioning the process, Zippy feels like he is part of doing a good thing - matching sick people to organ donors, until the FBI comes along and tells him differently. In sharing what he knows with the Feds Zippy puts a target not just on his back but on Curtis and Larissa too, forcing them into the Witness Protection Program and for all intents and purposes, ending Curtis' career as an internationally renowned cellist. Curtis chafes at having everything he is stripped away from him, and the three grow increasingly impatient with how long it's taking the FBI to identify the ringleaders of the organ black market ring. To save his sanity Curtis creates a comic book superhero that plays the cello, The Dark Maestro, who's story increasingly gets tied up into the investigation the three launch on their own to find who's behind the organ harvesting. The comic book element gets a bit goofy and nerdy, but it's about a comic book superhero, what do you expect? The family's ability to hunt down the people behind the organ harvesting also feels like a bit of a stretch, but the exploration of family dynamics makes it easier to overlook. This book won't have quite the same level of mystery to it as Slocumb's first two books did, but he's does a great job of exploring an unconventional family that sticks together through the good times and the bad. A complimentary copy of this book was provided by the publisher. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

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Brendan Slocumb's new novel The Dark Maestro, while feeling entirely like one of his books is as different from the first two as they are from each other. Curtis is a cello prodigy who is growing up in public housing with a dad who is a drug-running gang member. In the opening scenes of the book, we see Curtis taken from his final concert by the FBI for his own protection. We then go back to his childhood to see where he came from and how we got to this point.
The main characters are very well-drawn and sympathetic, and don't rely on stereotypes and caricature. The chapters rotate between focusing on Curtis, his father Zippy, and his father's girlfriend Larissa, although all the narration is in third person. (There should be a Larissa in every story - she, in particular, is a great character.)
For me, though, the story just didn't ring as true as it could have. It was difficult at times to tell why the characters were making the choices they made and to feel emotionally connected to what they're feeling. It was a quick read with an interesting plot, so it was worth reading, but it just wasn't as deep as Slocumb's other books.

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I feel a lot of regret awarding this only 3 stars. I adored The Violin Conspiracy and gave it 5 stars. I specifically requested this book and I guess I expected it to be similar in tone.

This is an entirely different type of novel. At first I was interested as we are introduced to Curtis who is a young boy from a poor neighborhood who is a cello prodigy and is able to obtain success and prosperity.

Then it got less interesting for me and diverged into comic book themes which I just didn't get.

Thank you Doubleday Books for giving me an advanced review copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

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Lots of appeal here for readers who love to delve into a good, contemporary story that has a lot going on -- keeps you turning the pages. Curtis is a young music prodigy. After a challenging childhood with poverty and racism, he emerges as a very successful cellist, and is on the brink of a brilliant career when everything abruptly crashes. His dad, a low level drug dealer, cooperates with the FBI to bring down a shadowy criminal organization. Because of this, Curtis and his family must enter a witness protection program. Curtis has to give up performing, and seeks a new creative outlet. He creates a comic book hero, The Dark Maestro. When the FBI cannot seem to bring the criminals to justice, Curtis and his family take matters into their own hands and hatch a complicated, daring plot to do it themselves.

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I have greatly enjoyed Brendan Slocumb's previous books, and I was excited to read the newest one.

The story revolves around Curtis, a Black cello prodigy from a rough part of DC. His father, Zippy, as an ambitious drug dealer, wants to be successful and care for his family. He has moved up in the organization due to his affinity with numbers. But he gets picked up by the FBI and the family gets placed in Witness Protection.

Since the feds seem unable or unwilling to catch the bigger fish in the criminal organization, Curtis and family turn the tables and try to resolve matters themselves.

The story takes some unlikely turns, but knowing that Curtis's other love in life is comic books, viewing the tale as a sort of non-visual comic book, it works. And the strong characters pulls you through the unusual story. I recommend it as a twist on the unusual crime / mystery fiction.

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I’ve read both of Brendan Slocum’s previous novels, The Violin Conspiracy and Symphony of Secrets, and really enjoyed both. As a former music teacher, Slocum brings us back to the world of music in his latest novel, this time focusing on Curtis Wilson, a cello prodigy. The first part of the book explores Curtis’s difficult upbringing in a crack house in D.C., where music and comic books become his escape. The second part shifts to Curtis as an adult, forced into witness protection, where he and his father, Zippy, and stepmother, Larissa, team up to take back their lives in a gripping crime fiction narrative.

I really enjoyed this one, especially Zippy’s character and his determination to be a good father. The first half of the book really tugged at my heart as I watched young Curtis discover his extraordinary gift. I also loved how the family bonded over creating their comic book series, Dark Maestro—it’s so refreshing to see a family choosing to spend quality time together.

This is a fantastic read, and I highly recommend it: a perfect mix of comic books, music, and crime. Slocumb is officially an auto-read author for me.

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Much like his two previous novels with musical excellence and intense mystery, but this one brings in some new components to the crime with a smidge of comic world building. #stillafan

STORYLINE
An intense coming of age story for a musical prodigy living in DC’s drug and crime neighborhood. Curtis begins to play the cello at school and his talents promise to change his destiny. He has opportunities to get out, but his father’s choices take the family deeper into the crime world threatening his future.

THOUGHTS
I’m a Slocumb fan. His 2 earlier novels were both 5⭐️ reads for me. This story is more intense with crimes involved and mystery needing to be solved. It’s a page turner with worlds colliding (musical, comic books, murder). There were a few chapters I felt did nothing to add to the storyline and just felt unnecessary. So this one is only a 4⭐️ for me.

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Brendan Slocumb! A writer. A masterful storyteller. You're immediately drawn with the intensity of the story. This is a book you simply don't want to put down. Bravo!

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This is a tough review to write. The first half of the book revolves around Curtis Wilson a child prodigy on the cello and a lover of comic book heroes from an impoverished area of DC who achieves of performing with the New York Philarmonic at Lincoln Center.
In second half of the book he and his family are in witness protection and/ or on the run because of his father’s involvement in an illegal organ procurement program. The family creates the Dark Maestro as a comic book hero and succeed in tracking down those trying to kill them -a task at which the FBI failed. Frankly the second half might be of interest to graphic artists, video creators and lovers of classical music but strains credulity for the average reader. I’ve enjoyed his other reads immensely but I think this one misses the mark.

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The Dark Maestro is another great read by Brendan Slocumb. A young cello prodigy escapes the reality of the DC. projects and a drug dealing father. However, his famous life comes crashing down. What comes next could have been a chaotic jumble. Instead, in Slocumb’s knowledgeable and skillful hands, it turns into an interesting and emotional symphony.

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From the author of The Violin Conspiracy and Symphony of Secrets comes a mesmerizing page-turner about a musical virtuoso who’s forced into hiding when his family runs afoul of a ruthless criminal organization—and how he uses music to bring his enemies to justice

Curtis Wilson is a cello prodigy, growing up in the Southeast D.C. projects with a drug dealer for a father. But through determination and talent, and the loving support of his father’s girlfriend, Larissa, Curtis claws his way out of his challenging circumstances and rises to unimagined heights in the classical music world—even soloing with the New York Philharmonic.

And then, suddenly, his life disintegrates. His father, Zippy, turns state evidence, implicating his old bosses to the FBI. Now the family—Curtis included—must enter the witness protection program if they want to survive. This means Curtis must give up the very thing he loves most: sharing his extraordinary musical talents with the world. When Zippy’s bosses prove too elusive for law enforcement to convict them, Curtis, Zippy, and Larissa realize that their only chance of survival is to take on the cartel themselves. They must create new identities and draw on their unique talents, including Curtis’s musical ability, to go after the people who want them dead. But will it be enough to keep Curtis and his family alive?

A propulsive and moving story about sacrifice, loyalty, and the indomitable human spirit, The Dark Maestro is Slocumb at the height of his powers.

My Take:
The summary addresses the "who" and hints at the "where," "how," and "why," though the "when" is irrelevant in this contemporary story. If the summary intrigues you, this book fulfills its promise. I appreciate that Slocumb has a distinct writing style: a mystery thriller set in the symphonic world, with fresh insights into that realm. Additionally, it acknowledges a foundation from a previous book. For those who have read his prior works, this easter egg is a delightful addition. If this is your first book by him, it serves as an excellent introduction to his world. Here, readers are invited to ponder the "what ifs" of life: What if I lived outside of Southeast D.C.? What if your loyalty is tested? What if you fully tapped into your creativity? What if you took matters into your own hands? While some answers may be far-fetched, taking the time to imagine is worthwhile. I did, and I loved it. Slocumb has become an automatic purchase for me and is now a regular recommendation in my book club.

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I love how all of Brendan Slocumb's books are revolved around musical instruments. They are very detailed. I have read all three of his books now, and do have to admit that while I liked this one, I liked the first two better.
The Dark Maestro is about Curtis, who becomes a prodigy from a very young age regarding playing the cello. He is being raised by his single father, Zippy along with his girlfriend Larissa. Just as Curtis' career is seeming to take off, the family has to go into a witness protection program due to work Zippy is doing that is being investigated by the FBI. This part of the book is where I found it to be drawn out. Curtis is of course, aggravated that his career is stalled and the family is frustrated with what they can and can't do and keep breaking witsec rules.
They are afraid of being found and end up trying to take things into their own hands when it seems that the FBI isn't making any progress on their behalf. Overall, I still enjoyed the book and finished it withing two days. I would still recommend this to anyone that is a fan of the author's work. Thank you to #netgalley for this #arc.

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The mix of music and a drug empire was honestly hilarious. This was such a fun read!!

It was a bit cringy at times, but it was a hilarious cringy. Plus, it was perfectly balanced with more serious themes that had me sat!

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The Dark Maestro is a phenomenal book and continues Brendan Slocumb creating fantastic stories about music and family. This book adds two new elements: Comic books and crime. The story blends the pulp superhero stories with a crime thriller and allows Slocumb to craft a beautiful story about a family dealing with choices that shatter everyone’s life but especially their music prodigy son.

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The cello. Black market organ harvesting. Witness protection program. Super heroes. Was this book written specifically for me??? I think yes!!

Brendan Slocumb has become one of my very favorite authors, and this book helps solidify his place. Like his previous books, music is a focal point, but this time the main instrument just happens to be my favorite: the cello!This book seemed to have more action scenes than the author’s previous books. It definitely had me on the edge of my seat at times, and I couldn’t stop reading.

Please be sure to read the author’s note at the end of the book, as it provides interesting insights as to what he was going through as he was writing the book.

I’m already looking forward to whatever comes next, as Slocumb is officially an auto-read author for me.

Thank you to the publisher, author, and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC in exchange for my honest rating and review.

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