Common Reads Library Marketing
0 0
Download high-resolution image Look inside

The Dark Maestro

A Novel

Author Brendan Slocumb On Tour
Look inside
Large Print (Large Print - Tradepaper)
$31.00 US
| $41.00 CAN
Diversified | Random House Large Print
On sale May 13, 2025 | 608 Pages | 9798217070145
Add to cart Add to list Exam Copies

See Additional Formats
View on Edelweiss
From the author of The Violin Conspiracy and Symphony of Secrets comes a mesmerizing page-turner about a young Black musical virtuoso at the peak of his career who’s forced into hiding when his family runs afoul of a ruthless international cartel—and uses his music to fight back

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, 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.
“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 delivers another winning music-themed thriller.” —Booklist

“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
© Glenn Fry
Brendan Nicholaus Slocumb was raised in Fayetteville, North Carolina, 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, D.C. He is currently working on his second novel. View titles by Brendan Slocumb

About

From the author of The Violin Conspiracy and Symphony of Secrets comes a mesmerizing page-turner about a young Black musical virtuoso at the peak of his career who’s forced into hiding when his family runs afoul of a ruthless international cartel—and uses his music to fight back

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, 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.

Reviews

“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 delivers another winning music-themed thriller.” —Booklist

“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

Author

© Glenn Fry
Brendan Nicholaus Slocumb was raised in Fayetteville, North Carolina, 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, D.C. He is currently working on his second novel. View titles by Brendan Slocumb

Additional formats

Other Books by this Author

Related Articles

Penguin Random House Library Marketing

© 2025 Penguin Random House

Back to Top
0
    • 0
    Wish List (0)
    • More Websites from
      Penguin Random House
    • Common Reads
    • Library Marketing