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The Dark Maestro
The Dark Maestro | Brendan Slocumb
7 posts | 4 read | 5 to read
Description
His cello made him famous. His father made him a target.
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’s evidence, implicating his old bosses. 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 the most: sharing his extraordinary music with the world. When Zippy’s bosses prove too elusive for law enforcement, Curtis, Zippy, and Larissa realize that their only chance of survival is to take on the criminals 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 save Curtis and his family?
A propulsive and moving story about sacrifice, loyalty, and the indomitable human spirit, The Dark Maestro is Brendan Slocumb at the height of his powers.
Amazon Indiebound Barnes and Noble WorldCat Goodreads LibraryThing
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Eggbeater
Eggbeater
The Dark Maestro | Brendan Slocumb
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Pickpick

This novel was weird, but in a good way. It was coming from a unique place with a musician/ superhero angle. Curtis comes of age as a talented cellist in the midst of gang territory with well-meaning guardians who are in a losing situation. I was attached to these characters and cared very much about their outcomes. The author's afterward was quite interesting and put some of the ideas into context.

42 likes1 stack add
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BookedBeyondMeasure
BookedBeyondMeasure
The Dark Maestro | Brendan Slocumb
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Pickpick

As a longtime Brendan Slocumb fan, The Dark Maestro exceeded expectations. Curtis‘s journey—a story of choices, consequences, and redemption—deeply resonated with me, especially as someone impacted by parental decisions. Hip‑hop references and a North Carolina setting made it feel personal and authentic. A captivating, emotional read.
Full review: https://www.instagram.com/p/DMTi5Sqhjpm/?igsh=MTJhM3JrbTIwd3c4Yw==

2 likes
blurb
janeycanuck
janeycanuck
The Dark Maestro | Brendan Slocumb
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Thank you, @Liz_M for bringing back #14books14weeks! It turns out, I have a couple of authors with more than one of their books on my TBR so I‘ve got 2 books each from 7 authors for my list. Looking forward to so many of these titles!

Liz_M Woohoo! Glad to have you on board. 4mo
55 likes1 comment
review
ChaoticMissAdventures
ChaoticMissAdventures
The Dark Maestro | Brendan Slocumb
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Pickpick

Low pick. This started out so strong before the half way point I had this as the best of Slocumb, but then it took a turn and became a bit too ridiculous. If you are super into Superheroes you might be lored in, but it felt like I was reading 2 separate books. And unfortunately I wanted to stay in the beginning half.
As always I love his focus on Black classic musicians and family. I just wish his editor had resigned in the 2nd half.

dabbe Your mug: 🎯🩵🎯 4mo
34 likes1 comment
blurb
ChaoticMissAdventures
ChaoticMissAdventures
The Dark Maestro | Brendan Slocumb
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Happy pub day to this great book.

I have the arc and I am so close to finishing, it has been really captivating.

Ruthiella Did you read his debut and if yes, how does this compare? 🤔 4mo
ChaoticMissAdventures @Ruthiella I think this is his 3rd, I have read Violin Conspiracy before this. This felt more personal? I do not know Slocumb's background but this centers a boy and we start with him at 5 and follow him and his dad and stepmom figure. Which made me feel much more attached to Curtis than I did Ray. It is also a bit more dark, the sad here being a drug dealer. I liked both but think I felt more for this one 4mo
34 likes2 comments
blurb
ChaoticMissAdventures
ChaoticMissAdventures
The Dark Maestro | Brendan Slocumb
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Today's reading spot.

Reading: Dark Maestro by Brendan Slocumb (Violin Conspiracy) out next week!

Listening: Indila 2014 album Mini World

33 likes
review
EadieB
EadieB
The Dark Maestro | Brendan Slocumb
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Pickpick

#TheDarkMaestro #BrendanSlocumb #SeriesLove2025

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.

tagged users iconTheSpineView
EadieB His father, Zippy, turns state evidence, sharing his extraordinary music with the world. This is a propulsive and 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!
 (edited) 5mo
31 likes1 stack add1 comment