From the Bookshelf of La Crescent Public Library…

[close] One of the favorite staff reads of the year! A mystery and page-turning debut novel by Brendan Slocumb, a professional musician and now author.

Ray is a Black musician struggling to convince his mother that music is a viable option for his future over working at Popeye's. When Ray is gifted an old violin from his grandmother that's been passed down in the family, his playing hits the next level and he starts touring professionally with different orchestras.

However, the violin Ray's grandmother gave him is actually a vintage Stradivarius instrument and worth $10 million. Now, Ray's family is convinced they should sell the violin and break up the money accordingly. When the violin goes missing, police suspect Ray's own family as the likely thieves, but then another family starts showing up at Ray's work and house. This family is white, and they claim the violin is theirs. They are the descendants of the slave owner who enslaved Ray's great grandfather.

As the mystery and history intertwine and progress, the book is harder and harder to put down. Slocumb's background as a Black, professional orchestral player lends itself to rich and real details throughout the book.

It's a wonderful pick for book clubs with a unique setting of symphonies mixed with impoverished neighborhoods. It discusses racism and bias in our history as well as our present day. I highly recommend the audiobook with its inclusion of symphony clips throughout the book and don't skip the author's note as it includes real examples of prejudice Slocumb has faced and work that he's doing to create positive change.

~Jess