Curtis Wilson is a child prodigy, playing the cello like a virtuoso. But his mother left him, and his dad is a drug dealer. Only Larissa, his dad's girlfriend brings structure and order to Curtis's days, and he loves her for it.
Curtis defies the statistics and makes his way from a DC slum, to Julliard, and eventually to the concert circuit. But one day, following a concert, two FBI agents escort him to a safe house use. Curtis's dad has turned states evidence, and given up his bosses, who also ran an organ harvesting scheme. Now all of their lives are in danger, and Curtis, his dad, Larissa, and even Curtis’s grandma enter the witness protection program. No more cello for Curtis, who turns to creating an online comic called Dark Maestro.
After the FBI fails to capture the bosses, Curtis and his family risk their lives to obtain the evidence needed to stop the human harvesting and reclaim their lives. And Dark Maestro helps them to do it.

First thank you to random house and NetGalley for an e-arc in exchange for an honest review

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Synopsis: Curtis is a shy kid who gets the chance to learn an instrument and becomes a cello prodigy. However his dad zippy is a low level drug dealer and criminal, his dad does always have his back and keeps him safe. His girlfriend Larissa takes care of Curtis and lets him be a kid including introducing him to comic books his other passion. Things are going really well for Curtis when he finds out his dad and girlfriend Larissa are in trouble and he is needed. They enter into witness protection to keep them safe but the law doesn’t seem to be solving the crime, they take life into their own hands.

What I liked: I love all of Brandan slocumb and all of his previous books. This book is very good as well. It does take a turn from his previous books that might turn off some readers. The first half of the book focuses on Curtis’s raise as a prodigy. Given the authors real life experiences this part is pure gold. You understand how he comes to love the cello and what it gives him. You also get insight into his father and their relationship and his life in crime. I think it set up a good foundation for the next half of the book. The second half focuses on their life in witness protection. They as a family take on a side project/hobby to get through the time. I really like that part in that it continued their relationship and show how they always stick together. I also like the insight into Curtis and adjusting to how his life changed and the impact that has on him. They do grow impatient and decide to take things into their own hands. I enjoy this part as well however the ending did take another pretty big swing that I’m a little unsure about. Overall I really enjoyed this book and will continue to autobuy this author.

Thank you to Net Galley and Doubleday Books for the chance to read and review this book. All opinions expressed are my own.
Brendan Slocumb is one of my favorite authors. His stories grab my attention right from the beginning and keep me going right up to the end. He always adds some expected elements (like the comic book angle) to his writing. I really enjoyed this story, as well as his other two books. He is a "have to read" author for me. I also liked reading the notes at the end, and how it influenced the content of this story. I can't wait for his next book!

I have loved Brendan Slocum's previous books, but this one took a while to hook me.

Curtis is a musical prodigy with a drug dealing gang member for a father and an unofficial stepmother who runs a group of women criminals. When his father gets tangled up in an organ-harvesting racket, they have to go into the witness protection program, ruining his chance at a career in music.

There are some really great parts of this book, but there's also a lot of explanation, especially in the first part of the book, that felt tedious. It all comes together in the end, but there were times when I wasn't sure I wanted to keep reading. As always, Slocum's love of classical music comes through. Give this book a chance, and you won't regret it.

Thanks to Netgalley for the advance copy of this book.

Drugs and guns could kill, but the thing that killed more than anything was hopelessness. from The Dark Maestro

The premise is heartbreaking to consider. Curtis is growing up in the slums but finds purpose and joy in playing the cello. He is a prodigy, and just beginning a stellar career when his dad, Zippy, a low level drug dealer, is arrested. His dad turns state evidence to avoid a prison sentence. The FBI can’t peg his boss to the crimes and the boy and his family join Witness Protection.

The problem is that Curtis’s future as a solo cellist is over. His dad’s boss knew all about him and if he performed his family would be tracked down and murdered. When he decides to sell his $75,000 instrument, the buyer ends up dead, and the family is moved and given new identities.

Curtis has always loved superhero comic books and as a kid imagined an alter identity, The Dark Maestro. He starts creating online Dark Maestro comics.

The FBI can’t take down Zippy’s old boss. The family discovers a gruesome business behind their enemy and decide to take justice into their own hands, even if they are breaking their WitSec agreement.

A story of loss and vengeance, with a suspenseful climax, it is a dark page turner.

Thanks to the publisher for a free book through NetGalley.

A young black cello virtuoso grows up in crime ridden DC, in a family who loved him but was a product of their neighborhood. When his father gets caught up in some terrible business and their family has to go into witness protection, Curtis can no longer play cello in public as his ability and style are too memorable. Instead, he and his parents fill their days with making online comics and dream of taking down the gangsters (and former bosses) so they can have their lives back. Somehow, they decide they can be superhero's and find evidence and take down these people on their own.

I loved Slocumb's first book, The Violin Conspiracy, and liked his second book Symphony of Secrets. This is very different, and the first 80% was much like The Violin Conspiracy in tone and pacing (which is a good thing.) It read like a crime/action novel that was really well written. However, the last 20% completely changed direction and went totally off the rails. I didn't hate it, but I certainly didn't like it. I was so disjointed, unrealistic, and changed the solid book completely. This went from being a 4.5-star book to being a 2-star book, quickly.

This book is for action movie lovers and comic book superhero enthusiasts. It reminded me a bit of M. Night Shyamalan's movie Unbreakable. If you liked Hench, this book might be for you.

Thank you to Netgalley for the advance copy for review.

Although there were moments where I could recognize Slocumbs writing, I felt a disconnect throughout the book and it felt like a lot of holes were there and at the same too much. It was good, but definitely not what I was expecting after reading Symphony of Secrets.

4 stars. I am a huge Brendan Slocumb fan. I have read all three of his books, and this third one is his best yet. As a trained musician himself, he specializes in mysteries that take place in the world of classical music. I love how he has found his niche, and is sticking with it, yet continues to find new and creative stories that work within this theme. In this novel, we meet Curtis, who comes from the projects and was born to teenage parents. Through a grant initiative, he is able to participate in a music program and takes up the cello. He turns out to be a natural on the instrument and begins to thrive as a musical prodigy. He is destined for greatness, but life takes a very unexpected turn, and threatens his ability to continue to perform in the music world. This story has intrigue, suspense, and a well-crafted mystery. It also has a deep family story, and takes an honest look at the challenges faced by those who are in marginalized communities. The last 25% of the book had me on the edge of my seat. If I say much more, there will be spoilers, but this is definitely a story worth reading. Also, don’t miss the touching authors note at the end of the book. Highly recommend this novel- you will not be disappointed!

Dark Maestro is a bit of a different kind of story compared to Brendan Slocumb’s first two books. While I ended up liking it a little less, there’s still a lot to appreciate. Like other reviewers, I thought the first part—where Curtis is focused on reaching his goal—is much stronger than the second half set during witness protection. Even so, Slocumb’s talent for weaving music and suspense together shines through, and fans of his earlier work will still find plenty to enjoy.

The Dark Maestro was a suspenseful and engaging read. I really enjoyed following Curtis’s journey, from his rough beginnings in Southeast D.C. to the heights of the classical music world. The story moved at a good pace, and the tension kept me turning the pages. Curtis, Larissa, and Zippy were compelling characters, and I appreciated the themes of loyalty and resilience throughout the book.

The only downside for me was the connection with the music. I didn’t fully feel it the way I expected to, especially given how important Curtis’s talent was to the story. Still, the action, emotional stakes, and sharp storytelling made this a book I’m glad I picked up. Brendan Slocumb delivers a strong, exciting novel once again.

Thank you to NetGalley and Doubleday Books for the opportunity to read this ARC!

Stunning! Although it measures high on the implausibility meter, the story is told well enough for you to ignore that rising point on the meter and just settle in and enjoy this wild caper. A cello prodigy with a criminal minded father who lands the family in a serious pickle yet masterminds the downfall of the criminal enterprise through sheer stealth, resilience and a bit of ingenuity makes for a winning combination of a novel I’m calling great! Great big thanks to Netgalley and Doubleday for an advanced DRC. Book is available May 13, 2025

Thank you to NetGalley and Doubleday Books for the eARC!

I was surprised by just how much I liked this book. I knew it would be entertaining, but the writing is so good and so immersive, I just had to find out what was going to happen.
I'll admit, it took me a little bit to warm up to the characters (especially Zippy), but it was amazing to watch their growth from page one to the end.
I loved watching them interact with each other and solve problems. But I think my favorite thing was the descriptions of music and how Curtis felt while playing.
I think next time I read this, I'll take the time to play the songs mentioned in the book.
It was also interesting to have the backdrop of comics and the lead-up to Dark Maestro.
I will absolutely read Slocumb's other books now!

After enjoying the first two Brendan Slocumb books, I was excited to get an ARC of his latest. However, unlike his first two books which were both five stars for me, this one fell a bit flat.

I always enjoy an underdog story so learning about the main character Curtis got my attention at the beginning. However, I lost interest by about 60% through when the story started feeling a bit too far fetched and lost all the character development. I also found some of the storyline a bit too unrealistic (without including any spoilers).

That being said, I won’t stop reading future books by this author who I find to be a great talent. I do recommend he slow down his writing/book release pace so he can focus on them more. Oftentimes authors are releasing too quickly and their work is mediocre, and that felt like the case with Dark Maestro.

Brendan Slocumb has written another winner. Each of his books have been unique in their own right—<i>The Dark Maestro</i> enjoys elements of organized crime and comic books in addition to the expected world of classical music. (I want to note that he also continues to tie the worlds of his novels together with a fun wink that you’ll miss if you are paying attention!)

<i>The Dark Maestro</i> is told in alternating points-of-view from Curtis, a cello prodigy growing up in DC; his father, Zippy, a drug dealer with a penchant for numbers; and Larissa, Zippy’s significant other and Curtis’s de facto stepmom. Each character is interesting with a distinct voice and clear motives, and I ended up looking forward to each POV as much as the next (something that I think is really challenging for a multi-POV novel). As the novel progresses and the plot moves along, the story becomes more and more intricate and exciting before a powerful final act that totally worked for me.

I think approaching this book as more of a superhero story will help draw you in faster. Admittedly, I didn’t understand the purpose of the comic book that Curtis develops. But, trust Brendan Slocumb, it all comes together in the end.

Excellent, and I can’t wait for the next one.

Enjoyable thriller. There were moments that dragged a bit while the characters were stuck in witness protection that i wished had more action but overall I enjoyed this book

Thank you to Net Galley and Doubleday Publishing for an early copy of The Dark Maestro by Brendan Slocumb

The Dark Maestro represents a force that merges the realities of a crime-ridden neighborhood in Washington, DC with the comic-book heroics of good vs. evil. Author Brendan Slocumb is a maestro himself as his third novel revolves around a black cello prodigy struggling to find his way through his music in a homelife that is anything but nurturing.

As the odyssey of young Curtis Wilson continues, fate steps in in the form of the FBI which offers a lifeline for his family but at the cost of forfeiting the musical performances he lives for. When Curtis's father, Zippy, changes course in order to protect his family, Curtis, Zippy and the loving and faithful Larissa form an unbreakable bond.

The influences of classical music (threaded throughout the novel) and comic books (threaded throughout the novel) drive The Dark Maestro, and when Curtis's family takes things into their own hands in order to survive, the only end is a dark one indeed.

Slocumb also has a way of weaving factual information into his work which includes the deplorable conditions of some Washington, D.C schools and the constant stress of succeeding in academics against all odds and failing to find meaningful work.

The Dark Maestro is a strong recommendation that will keep the reader thoroughly engaged.

Brendan's book The Violin Conspiracy was one of my favourite books of 2022 and I've been looking forward to a new book since then. Although I have just found out he wrote another book called Symphony of Secrets between that one and this one, so I'm definitely going to check that out too!

You can tell he has a love and passion for music, you don't just get that same love out of research alone.

There are 55 chapters, which might seem like a lot, but that's only an average of about 6-7 pages a chapter, some are much shorter and some longer, but it's a nice balance.

His words just glide off the page, making for an easy, effortless read, and before you know it you'll be halfway through.

It's not always an easy book to read topic wise, especially near the beginning, it can get quite uncomfortable. But it's a great juxtaposition, this idea of beautiful classical music living side by side with crime.

The plot, at times, felt a little hard to believe, especially near the end but I didn't mind so much. Because whilst the plot is key, for me I was fixated on the characters of our main three players - Zippy, Curtis and Larissa. And the surrounding characters. It's fairly split between goodies and baddies, but everyone has a bit of a grey area about them. And whilst there are some big baddies, I still liked them because they're so well formed.

I definitely preferred the first half where it focussed more on the music and family. Once it went into witness protection and whatnot, whilst I still thoroughly enjoyed it, I found it a little harder to get into.

Brendan went onto my list of authors to always read after The Violin Conspiracy, and even though this wasn't 100% to my taste, he still keeps his spot on that list. His storytelling, his characterisation, his ability to write such emotion, is very impressive.

I always read the acknowledgements of a book but I know some don't, but I definitely think you should with this one. It gives some context to the story and I think it adds an extra layer of understanding to the story.

For me, it didn't hit the heights of The Violin Conspiracy, but I think that's because I thought The Violin Conspiracy was exceptional and it was always going to be a difficult task to reach those heights. But it is still an incredibly great book. Great characters, interesting plot, there's romance and thrill, and it's very human. It has such depth, especially regarding the intersection of music and emotion, to get that on the page is wonderful.

I had read Brendan Slocumb's first novel, The Violin Conspiracy. It was a great book. This book is different than the first book. Curtis Wilson is a cello prodigy with a drug dealer for a father. Larissa, his father's girlfriend, claws his way out of challenging circumstances to unimaginable heights in the classical music world. His father, Zippy, turns state evidence, sharing his extraordinary music with the world. This is a propulsive ad moving story about sacrifice, loyalty and indomitable human spirit. If you like characters who must create new identities and draw on their unique talents, then you would love this book. Highly recommended!

I haven't read any of Slocumb's other works but I'm more than willing to after reading this. I really like Slocumb's writing style and the idea of blending classical music and superheroes into a thriller was super unique. The story does require a complete suspension of belief and honestly, I didn't enjoy the superhero parts as much as I had hoped to. The author's note does a lot of lifting for my understanding of the narrative shift at the end, and I wish I had loved this more because of that understanding.

I continue to be smitten with Mr. Slocumb’s stories. They are so imaginative and The Dark Maestro is no exception. What a book. It is, at times, heart wrenching, joyous, suspenseful, and always riveting. With Mr. Slocumb’s background in classical violin and his interest in comic books, this is a story that is original and well crafted.

Curtis is a young cello prodigy, “full of energy and promise and hope’. But “if you’re born poor and Black in the projects, people can only see you one way…” His family life is complicated, with a father, Zippy, whose life is one of crime and aspiration to rise in that realm. But he and his girlfriend, Larirssa, only want the best for his son and when opportunities arise for Curtis, it’s with reluctance that Zippy allows him to pursue his dreams. Then everything comes crashing down. The highs and lows of this journey make for compelling reading and sharing any more will detract from the enjoyment.

If you are interested in a well-paced, clever story, mark your calendars for the release of The Dark Maestro on May 13. And, when you read it, please make sure you read the Author’s Note. A big thanks to NetGalley for the advance review copy.