The Dark Maestro - by Brendan Slocumb (Hardcover)

About the Book

"Curtis Wilson is a classical music prodigy. Playing since the age of five, he is that rare performer who, through sheer force of will and phenomenal talent, has clawed his way out of inner-city DC and risen to the heights of the classical music world-soloing with the New York Philharmonic. Zippy, his father, is a midlevel drug dealer, and Larissa, his father's girlfriend, is a loving mother figure to Curtis and the heart of the family. Then, Zippy runs afoul of the kingpin who has provided his livelihood and nurtured his son's talents, and the family finds their lives in danger. With no choice but to run, they enter the witness protection program and abandon their former lives, including Curtis's extraordinary career. When law enforcement seems unable to bring the cartel down, Curtis, Zippy, and Larissa realize that their only chance of returning to the way things were is to take on the cartel themselves--their own way. A propulsive and moving story about sacrifice, loyalty, and the indomitable human spirit, Dark Maestro is Slocumb at the height of his powers"--

Book Synopsis

His cello made him famous. His father made him a target.

"In this perfectly crafted thriller, Slocumb acts as the master conductor, bringing together a twisty plot and gorgeously wrought characters." --The Boston Globe

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.

Review Quotes

ONE OF KIRKUS'S BEST MYSTERIES AND THRILLERS OF THE YEAR - NAMED ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR BY CRIMEREADS

"Brendan Slocumb always brings his deep understanding and love of music to his novels. . . . In this perfectly crafted thriller, Slocumb acts as the master conductor, bringing together a twisty plot and gorgeously wrought characters." --The Boston Globe

"Slocumb's gripping storytelling hits all the right notes, making this a standout performance." --Oprah Daily

"This thriller about a musical prodigy delivers a virtuoso performance. . . . It is about coming together as a family out of sheer love and appreciation for one another despite the chaos all around." --Christian Science Monitor

"Slocumb hits a high note with heart and adrenaline. . . . Slocumb's storytelling remains emotionally resonant and fast-paced, with vibrant POVs and a deep love for music anchoring the narrative. . . . Equal parts heartwarming, high-stakes and wildly original." --The Seattle Times

"Music lovers and thriller readers rejoice--The Dark Maestro, like Slocumb's other novels, is in perfect harmony with both." --USA Today

"A virtuosic thriller. . . . This is an intricately plotted novel, paced perfectly by Slocumb, who keeps the book moving at a breakneck speed--but not at the expense of his beautifully drawn characters. Curtis, shy and sweet, is especially memorable; Slocumb paints a beautiful picture of the young man's internal life. . . . This novel should catapult Slocumb into the upper echelon of thriller authors." --Kirkus Reviews (starred)

"A musical literary thriller. . . . The twists of the story keep coming, and the thread of superhero comics and the Dark Maestro brings readers along on a journey that comic book fans will appreciate." --Library Journal (starred)

"Slocumb's gripping third novel, The Dark Maestro, takes readers on a breathless ride. . . . Propulsive and gritty, yet suffused with the fierce love of family, The Dark Maestro weaves together themes of ambition, justice, and stubborn hope--with a side of fiendishly clever musical revenge." --Shelf Awareness

"As heartbreaking as it is triumphant. . . . Slocumb strikes every emotional chord in this gripping, music-infused thriller. The Dark Maestro is a story of resilience, loyalty, and found family--a bold symphony about what we're willing to sacrifice for those we love, and how far we'll go to reclaim the music that makes us whole." --Suspense Magazine

"Slocumb delivers another winning music-themed thriller." --Booklist

"Like the music he describes, Brendan Slocumb's prose lifts and soars, penetrating you with its emotional resonance, then propelling you forward with mystery. . . . Dazzles. . . . Paired with the meticulously plotted mystery, Slocumb's characters come fully to life, propelling the book at breakneck speed until its shocking conclusion." --Bookreporter

"The Dark Maestro is my favorite kind of book--one that keeps you riveted in the moment, turning pages feverishly. But then, long after you're done, the book creeps into your mind and lingers. Packed with a love of music, injected with the elements of the best kind of thrillers, and told through the prism of an unforgettable protagonist, The Dark Maestro is a tour de force and a book unlike any other. I loved it." --Alex Segura, bestselling author of Alter Ego and Secret Identity

"Move over Daredevil, step aside Dark Knight. Cellist by day, bringer of justice by night, the domino-mask wearing Curtis Wilson, his shady pops and the old man's fearless girlfriend constitute a kind of Terrific Three for these tough times. That is if they manage to not get their heads blown off trying to get out from under. Great reading." --Gary Phillips, author of Ash Dark as Night

About the Author

BRENDAN NICHOLAUS SLOCUMB was raised in Fayetteville, NC, and holds a degree in music education (with concentrations in violin and viola) from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. For more than twenty years he has been a public and private school music educator and has performed with orchestras throughout northern Virginia, Maryland, and Washington, DC.