The Dark Maestro

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 GlobeCurtis 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.

"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