I loved Brendan Slocumb's first two novels, The Violin Conspiracy and Symphony of Secrets, and although I did have a few problems with this latest, I still found The Dark Maestro an enjoyable read. Slocumb's love of music shines through the pages of all three books. He can actually make me feel the music as Curtis Wilson plays his cello. I feel Curtis's passion and dedication, and I want him to achieve his dreams.
The three main characters-- Curtis, his father Zippy, and Zippy's girlfriend, Larissa-- are vivid. As a single father, all Zippy has ever wanted is to do what's best for the son he loves so much. It almost breaks your heart when almost every single thing Zippy does is wrong. Fortunately, Zippy's girlfriend, Larissa, is loving, smart, and supportive. If not for her, Curtis and Zippy wouldn't have a chance.
I have to admit that I did become exasperated with Curtis as he continually fought against his life in witness protection. His choices were almost always the exact opposite of what law enforcement told him, and the consequences were never pleasant. Then I put myself in Curtis's shoes. What if I were put in witness protection? What if law enforcement told me I could never pick up another book, enter another bookstore, review another book on my blog? I had to be honest. Like Curtis, I would be trying to find ways around those rules. There's no way I could completely divorce myself from books. Once I realized that, Curtis and I got along much better.
When the three get tired of law enforcement being unable to bring down Zippy's old bosses, they decide they're going to have to do it themselves, and how they do it is quite inventive. Of course, their plans unravel a bit, and I couldn't buy in completely to the ending, but I did enjoy the journey. And-- if you're the type of reader who skips the Author's Note at the back of the books you read, I'd advise against it this time. I highly recommend Brendan Slocumb's music-drenched thrillers.
(Review copy courtesy of the publisher and Net Galley)
The three main characters-- Curtis, his father Zippy, and Zippy's girlfriend, Larissa-- are vivid. As a single father, all Zippy has ever wanted is to do what's best for the son he loves so much. It almost breaks your heart when almost every single thing Zippy does is wrong. Fortunately, Zippy's girlfriend, Larissa, is loving, smart, and supportive. If not for her, Curtis and Zippy wouldn't have a chance.
I have to admit that I did become exasperated with Curtis as he continually fought against his life in witness protection. His choices were almost always the exact opposite of what law enforcement told him, and the consequences were never pleasant. Then I put myself in Curtis's shoes. What if I were put in witness protection? What if law enforcement told me I could never pick up another book, enter another bookstore, review another book on my blog? I had to be honest. Like Curtis, I would be trying to find ways around those rules. There's no way I could completely divorce myself from books. Once I realized that, Curtis and I got along much better.
When the three get tired of law enforcement being unable to bring down Zippy's old bosses, they decide they're going to have to do it themselves, and how they do it is quite inventive. Of course, their plans unravel a bit, and I couldn't buy in completely to the ending, but I did enjoy the journey. And-- if you're the type of reader who skips the Author's Note at the back of the books you read, I'd advise against it this time. I highly recommend Brendan Slocumb's music-drenched thrillers.
(Review copy courtesy of the publisher and Net Galley)
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!
