The Violin Conspiracy - Brendan Slocumb

The Violin Conspiracy

By Brendan Slocumb

  • Release Date: 2022-02-01
  • Genre: Black Literature
Score: 4.5
4.5
From 443 Ratings

Description

GOOD MORNING AMERICA BOOK CLUB PICK! • Ray McMillian is a Black classical musician on the rise—undeterred by the pressure and prejudice of the classical music worldwhen a shocking theft sends him on a desperate quest to recover his great-great-grandfather’s heirloom violin on the eve of the most prestigious musical competition in the world.

“I loved The Violin Conspiracy for exactly the same reasons I loved The Queen’s Gambit: a surprising, beautifully rendered underdog hero I cared about deeply and a fascinating, cutthroat world I knew nothing about—in this case, classical music.” —Chris Bohjalian, #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Flight Attendant and Hour of the Witch

Growing up Black in rural North Carolina, Ray McMillian’s life is already mapped out. But Ray has a gift and a dream—he’s determined to become a world-class professional violinist, and nothing will stand in his way. Not his mother, who wants him to stop making such a racket; not the fact that he can’t afford a violin suitable to his talents; not even the racism inherent in the world of classical music. 
 
When he discovers that his beat-up, family fiddle is actually a priceless Stradivarius, all his dreams suddenly seem within reach, and together, Ray and his violin take the world by storm. But on the eve of the renowned and cutthroat Tchaikovsky Competition—the Olympics of classical music—the violin is stolen, a ransom note for five million dollars left in its place. Without it, Ray feels like he's lost a piece of himself. As the competition approaches, Ray must not only reclaim his precious violin, but prove to himself—and the world—that no matter the outcome, there has always been a truly great musician within him.

Reviews

  • Thoroughly Enjoyed this book

    5
    By JulB62
    Excellent read. A gripping page turner. I did not want to put this down. Excellent story of life and the importance of ancestors, legacy, mentor and love of music. Highly recommend this wonderful mystery.
  • Lovely book

    5
    By DJPVDO
    I thought it was a great musical thriller. Highly recommend.
  • Kept Me Guessing

    5
    By AliAd40
    Enjoyable read.
  • Great read

    5
    By real_megbrady
    Exciting and interesting. Well worth it.
  • Violin Conspiracy

    5
    By Napabooknut
    A very engaging excellent book! The author captures and brilliantly describes the love of music and playing the violin. He also captures the outrageous and infuriating acts that people of color face every day. Very well written and much enjoyed!
  • Amazing read! Definitely recommend!

    5
    By Air Touch
    A fast thriller pace, a good guide into the world of classical music, and a appreciated narrative on the power of legacy, all in one book! 👏🏿👏🏿👏🏿
  • Delightful and inspiring.

    5
    By Kenachamise
    A thrilling page turner.
  • Book review

    5
    By tealcarter
    This an excellent book to enlighten people about the classical musical world and how black people can be excluded from it and profiled out of it. I recommend this book to all young people who love music and are interested in pursuing a career in music. Very encouraging!!!
  • Buy This Book!!!

    5
    By alias birch
    An amazing book! The story will pull you in and make you keep turning the pages. As an amateur violinist, I really enjoyed all of the musical details (but you don’t have to know music to appreciate the book). I’m appalled by the way the author has been treated during his life, and by the echo of that which is described in the book. What is wrong with so many humans?? A thought-provoking read. An intriguing mystery. Solid, exacting writing. Buy the book - you won’t regret it!
  • Art imitates life, fiction imitates reality

    5
    By Ace Rah T
    Ray experiences controversial topics that should be reflected on IRL. Like most, Ray never discovers how to indict his family for being as unapologetically vicious as rabid strangers. No safe haven among the “cultured intellectuals” either. How do either keep their status? Why does the world award so much credibility to and yearn to be in systems steeped in unethical behavior?