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Icarus Flies Home
A stolen song, a stolen kiss and a stunning family legacy...
Jazz bassist Beauregard (“Bo”) Sonski-Abbott finds himself reeling after learning an aging Broadway producer may have stolen a song written by his distant relative: a great-great uncle who was enslaved on one of the biggest plantations in Georgia. Bo’s journey to unravel the truth takes him from the music scene of New York to Washington, DC, only to be sidetracked by a much younger woman who threatens to tear apart his marriage and his career.
Jazz bassist Beauregard (“Bo”) Sonski-Abbott finds himself reeling after learning an aging Broadway producer may have stolen a song written by his distant relative: a great-great uncle who was enslaved on one of the biggest plantations in Georgia. Bo’s journey to unravel the truth takes him from the music scene of New York to Washington, DC, only to be sidetracked by a much younger woman who threatens to tear apart his marriage and his career.
332 pages, Paperback
Published December 15, 2020
2 people want to read
About the author
Debbie Burke
13 books10 followersNOTE: There are TWO of us authors here named Debbie Burke. She's a thriller writer and I write about jazz. We've had a lot of fun with this and have interviewed one another on our blogs.
Anyway! I am an award-winner author of Death by Saxophone, Icarus Flies Home, Tasty Jazz Jams for Our Times[TM] Vol. 1, Vol. 2 and Vol. 3, Glissando – A Story of Love, Lust and Jazz, The Poconos in B Flat, Music in the Scriptures, Klezmer for the Joyful Soul and The Author's Little Red Guide to Editing, as well as a biography of my father, the mid-century painter, screenwriter and novelist Irving Schiffer with Knowing Irv: The Life and Art of Irving Schiffer.
I write about jazz because I love it. I play alto sax and am an avid jazz blogger (debbieburkeauthor.com). Born in Brooklyn, I have lived in six different states in the eastern half of the US but most of all, I love being near the ocean. When I'm not writing, I'm learning new licks on the sax.
I hope you enjoy my books! Coming soon, another mystery, this time a romantic mystery about when jazz collides with the classical music world.
Anyway! I am an award-winner author of Death by Saxophone, Icarus Flies Home, Tasty Jazz Jams for Our Times[TM] Vol. 1, Vol. 2 and Vol. 3, Glissando – A Story of Love, Lust and Jazz, The Poconos in B Flat, Music in the Scriptures, Klezmer for the Joyful Soul and The Author's Little Red Guide to Editing, as well as a biography of my father, the mid-century painter, screenwriter and novelist Irving Schiffer with Knowing Irv: The Life and Art of Irving Schiffer.
I write about jazz because I love it. I play alto sax and am an avid jazz blogger (debbieburkeauthor.com). Born in Brooklyn, I have lived in six different states in the eastern half of the US but most of all, I love being near the ocean. When I'm not writing, I'm learning new licks on the sax.
I hope you enjoy my books! Coming soon, another mystery, this time a romantic mystery about when jazz collides with the classical music world.
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
June 10, 2023
"Icarus Flies Home" by Debbie Burke.
What a musical rollercoaster, set in the world of Jazz.
Bo Abbot finds a link between a Broadway producer's music and a song written by his great-great uncle. Leading him on a path of musical discovery and growth, joining with his old band mates, Bo, works to bring his relatives music to life.
This book mixes music with love, and lust as Bo's life rockets from his job in the ER to his passion for music, and playing his Bass. Outside forces though will hamper him, but with the love of his good wife and the care of his friends Lymus's song will be heard.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
What a musical rollercoaster, set in the world of Jazz.
Bo Abbot finds a link between a Broadway producer's music and a song written by his great-great uncle. Leading him on a path of musical discovery and growth, joining with his old band mates, Bo, works to bring his relatives music to life.
This book mixes music with love, and lust as Bo's life rockets from his job in the ER to his passion for music, and playing his Bass. Outside forces though will hamper him, but with the love of his good wife and the care of his friends Lymus's song will be heard.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
July 2, 2023
"Icarus Flies Home" by Debbie Burke is a captivating and multifaceted novel that intertwines themes of music, family legacy, and the pursuit of truth. Through the journey of jazz bassist Beauregard ("Bo") Sonski-Abbott, readers are taken on a compelling exploration of stolen artistry, personal relationships, and the weight of one's heritage.
Bo's world is upended when he discovers that an aging Broadway producer may have stolen a song written by his distant relative—an enslaved great-great uncle who lived on a plantation in Georgia. Determined to uncover the truth and restore his family's legacy, Bo embarks on a quest that takes him from the vibrant music scene of New York to the corridors of power in Washington, D.C. However, his path becomes entangled with a younger woman who threatens to jeopardize his marriage and his career.
Debbie Burke skillfully weaves together the threads of music, history, and personal turmoil to create a rich and engaging narrative. The exploration of stolen artistry and the consequences of such actions adds depth and intrigue to the story. Burke's evocative descriptions bring the worlds of jazz and the plantation era to life, immersing readers in both the vibrant energy of New York's music scene and the haunting echoes of a painful past.
Bo's character is well-developed, and readers will find themselves invested in his journey of self-discovery and redemption. His passion for music, combined with his determination to uncover the truth, creates a compelling narrative arc that drives the story forward. The conflicts he faces, both internal and external, are relatable and add layers of complexity to his character.
The exploration of personal relationships is another strength of the novel. Burke deftly examines the complexities of marriage and the temptations that can test its boundaries. The introduction of a younger woman who disrupts Bo's life adds tension and emotional depth to the story, forcing him to confront his desires and make difficult choices.
While the plot is engaging and filled with twists and turns, there are moments when the pacing feels uneven. Some sections may feel slow, particularly during Bo's time in Washington, D.C., which slightly affects the overall momentum of the story. Additionally, the resolution of certain conflicts feels slightly rushed and could have been given more depth.
"Icarus Flies Home" is a thought-provoking novel that delves into themes of identity, artistic integrity, and the enduring power of music. Debbie Burke's lyrical prose and her ability to evoke both the jazz scene and the painful legacy of slavery make for a compelling reading experience.
In conclusion, "Icarus Flies Home" is a rich and resonant novel that seamlessly blends music, history, and personal turmoil. Despite minor pacing issues and rushed resolutions, Debbie Burke's storytelling prowess shines through, offering a poignant exploration of family legacy, the pursuit of truth, and the redemptive power of self-discovery. Fans of music-infused narratives and stories that delve into the complexities of human relationships will find much to appreciate in this captivating tale.
Bo's world is upended when he discovers that an aging Broadway producer may have stolen a song written by his distant relative—an enslaved great-great uncle who lived on a plantation in Georgia. Determined to uncover the truth and restore his family's legacy, Bo embarks on a quest that takes him from the vibrant music scene of New York to the corridors of power in Washington, D.C. However, his path becomes entangled with a younger woman who threatens to jeopardize his marriage and his career.
Debbie Burke skillfully weaves together the threads of music, history, and personal turmoil to create a rich and engaging narrative. The exploration of stolen artistry and the consequences of such actions adds depth and intrigue to the story. Burke's evocative descriptions bring the worlds of jazz and the plantation era to life, immersing readers in both the vibrant energy of New York's music scene and the haunting echoes of a painful past.
Bo's character is well-developed, and readers will find themselves invested in his journey of self-discovery and redemption. His passion for music, combined with his determination to uncover the truth, creates a compelling narrative arc that drives the story forward. The conflicts he faces, both internal and external, are relatable and add layers of complexity to his character.
The exploration of personal relationships is another strength of the novel. Burke deftly examines the complexities of marriage and the temptations that can test its boundaries. The introduction of a younger woman who disrupts Bo's life adds tension and emotional depth to the story, forcing him to confront his desires and make difficult choices.
While the plot is engaging and filled with twists and turns, there are moments when the pacing feels uneven. Some sections may feel slow, particularly during Bo's time in Washington, D.C., which slightly affects the overall momentum of the story. Additionally, the resolution of certain conflicts feels slightly rushed and could have been given more depth.
"Icarus Flies Home" is a thought-provoking novel that delves into themes of identity, artistic integrity, and the enduring power of music. Debbie Burke's lyrical prose and her ability to evoke both the jazz scene and the painful legacy of slavery make for a compelling reading experience.
In conclusion, "Icarus Flies Home" is a rich and resonant novel that seamlessly blends music, history, and personal turmoil. Despite minor pacing issues and rushed resolutions, Debbie Burke's storytelling prowess shines through, offering a poignant exploration of family legacy, the pursuit of truth, and the redemptive power of self-discovery. Fans of music-infused narratives and stories that delve into the complexities of human relationships will find much to appreciate in this captivating tale.
August 2, 2022
In Debbie Burke’s Icarus Flies Home, Beauregard Sonski-Abbott, or Bo, begins making a jazz album to honor the music of his enslaved great-great uncle, Lymus Abbott. His relative was never emancipated from the plantation in Georgia, but this did not stop him from writing music. Using some lyrics written by Lymus, Bo worked on creating an album to honor his long-lost relative.
As the bass player and de facto leader of his band composed of old school friends, Bo encounters an array of challenges in completing this project. He discovers a Broadway playwright is claiming rights to the music from his great-great uncle. This sets off a legal battle over the copyright of the music between Bo’s family and the playwright who is claiming ownership of Lymus’s lyrics. The problems do not end there; there is an aggressive woman that keeps making romantic advances on Bo that are unwanted. With perseverance and the support of his wife, Margret, Bo pushes forwards to reach for his ambition.
Icarus Flies Home is a touching story of the determination of one man who is trying to do right by his disenfranchised musical lineage, all while facing the mounting odds against him. These obstacles affect his personal and professional lives and his musical life respectively. Facing each obstacle injects a tension that slowly builds throughout the narrative, causing headaches for Bo, and well-managed stress and excitement for the reader. Despite the building suspense of upcoming conflict over many chapters, the build-up fizzles out and never materializes.
Icarus Flies Home is a suspenseful African American historical fiction novel. It perfectly captures the element of hope which grows within Bo and enables him to face the trials he faces on the road to his musical catharsis. Music’s ability to evoke emotions can be a difficult thing to accurately describe in prose, but with music being a huge focus of the text Burke does an excellent job of representing the effect music has on her characters, lending poignancy to many moments of the text.
As the bass player and de facto leader of his band composed of old school friends, Bo encounters an array of challenges in completing this project. He discovers a Broadway playwright is claiming rights to the music from his great-great uncle. This sets off a legal battle over the copyright of the music between Bo’s family and the playwright who is claiming ownership of Lymus’s lyrics. The problems do not end there; there is an aggressive woman that keeps making romantic advances on Bo that are unwanted. With perseverance and the support of his wife, Margret, Bo pushes forwards to reach for his ambition.
Icarus Flies Home is a touching story of the determination of one man who is trying to do right by his disenfranchised musical lineage, all while facing the mounting odds against him. These obstacles affect his personal and professional lives and his musical life respectively. Facing each obstacle injects a tension that slowly builds throughout the narrative, causing headaches for Bo, and well-managed stress and excitement for the reader. Despite the building suspense of upcoming conflict over many chapters, the build-up fizzles out and never materializes.
Icarus Flies Home is a suspenseful African American historical fiction novel. It perfectly captures the element of hope which grows within Bo and enables him to face the trials he faces on the road to his musical catharsis. Music’s ability to evoke emotions can be a difficult thing to accurately describe in prose, but with music being a huge focus of the text Burke does an excellent job of representing the effect music has on her characters, lending poignancy to many moments of the text.
August 20, 2023
Great read!
Most excellent read. This one deserves double the stars I gave it. You'll love it if you enjoy music and double that if you have musicians in the family as you will appreciate it all the more.
Most excellent read. This one deserves double the stars I gave it. You'll love it if you enjoy music and double that if you have musicians in the family as you will appreciate it all the more.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews