Did you read and love The Violin Conspiracy? Or are you looking for a suspense book that is a bit different? Symphony of Secrets by Brendon Slocumb is fast-paced, with historical elements and social justice themes. Check out my Review of Symphony of Secrets.
Symphony of Secrets by Brendan Slocumb
To be published on April 18, 2023 by Anchor Books. Thanks to the publisher for providing an advance copy for review.
Synopsis: Bern Hendricks has just received the call of a lifetime. As one of the world’s preeminent experts on the famed twentieth-century composer Frederick Delaney, Bern knows everything there is to know about the man behind the music.
Mallory Roberts, a board member of the distinguished Delaney Foundation and direct descendant of the man himself, asks for Bern’s help authenticating a newly discovered piece, which may be his famous lost opera, RED. But Bern soon discovers that the truth is far more complicated than history would have them believe.
In 1920s Manhattan, Josephine Reed is living on the streets and frequenting jazz clubs when she meets the struggling musician Fred Delaney. But where young Delaney struggles, Josephine soars. She’s a natural prodigy who hears beautiful music in the sounds of the world around her.
Armed with more questions than answers and caught in the crosshairs of a powerful organization who will stop at nothing to keep their secret hidden, Bern will have to decide whether to cave to a powerful and prestigious music organization or speak up for someone who has, until now, remained voiceless.
What Else Has Brenden Slocumb Written?
You might remember that I put his debut book, The Violin Conspiracy, on my list of Best Mysteries and Thrillers of 2022, even though it’s not exactly your typical mystery. There’s a kidnapping, but of a violin. I really enjoyed it!
Review of Symphony of Secrets
Symphony of Secrets definitely had some similarities to The Violin Conspiracy. Both feature main characters who live and breathe classical music.
But I had to try to convince people that The Violin Conspiracy was really a mystery. With Symphony of Secrets, that will not be a problem. (Crimes are committed in both books, just saying!)
Symphony of Secrets has a past/present storyline with a narrative that alternates between Bern Hendricks, a music professor in the present day, and a Jazz Age musical prodigy.
In the present, Bern is summoned by a family foundation focused on the music of Joseph Delaney. A long-lost piece of Delaney’s music has been found, and the foundation hopes that Bern can authenticate it.
But as Bern studies the piece, he begins to have questions. And these are questions the foundation that hired him seems not to want him to pursue. Aided by a brilliant computer genius, Bern begins a shadow investigation that uncovers a story that is both tragic and disturbing.
For me, the most compelling part of the book was the narrative in the past. I don’t want to say too much, but it was fascinating, dark, and psychologically complex.
The narrative in the present, and I do NOT mean this in a negative way, reminded me of The DaVinci Code. You know: the professor who is racing around trying to uncover a secret. If you want more highbrow references, Symphony of Secrets felt a bit like Possession by A.S. Byatt or the books of Fiona Davis.
Symphony of Secrets would make a great book club book because it has a little something for everyone: the narrative in the present is more plot-driven, while the historical narrative is more about a relationship. Plus, there are plenty of issues to discuss.
If you read this, please let me know what you thought in the comments!
I loved both his books! His mysteries are so unique and it really was interesting even though I’m not a big music buff.
Same – I am not at all a classical music person, but his passion for music is contagious. And I agree that it’s great to read something different in the mystery space. Looking forward to whatever he comes up with next!
Keeping secrets hidden would be a good reason for danger in a book. This sounds good.
It’s really different but I liked it!
I really like the sound of this.
A novel setting but the characters were all clichés and the plot entirely predictable half way into the book. The resolution is merely explained in a desultory fashion, more like a news report than a novel. Though Josephine is a unique (though not too credible) character, the others are all clichés. Literally and figuratively black and white.