The Dark Maestro

Following Brendan Slocumb‘s first two books, he’s become one of my favorite authors, especially for his unique blend of music, discussions of race, and crime fiction. His newest book, The Dark Maestro, came out earlier this week. While it has his trademarks—here, a Black cellist from a low class background—this one focuses more on the gritty crimes happening and ultimately has a superhero arc.

When Curtis and his family are detained by the FBI for some unsavory business his dad, Zippy, got involved in, they’re forced to go into Witness Protection for their safety. But the bad guys continue to elude law enforcement and Curtis is getting impatient to get his life back. He and his family ultimately take matters into their own hands to track down the criminals and reclaim their lives.

What I Liked:

• Music as an escape. For Curtis, playing cello is the one thing that brings him joy and a sense of self outside the poverty, drugs, and crime he grows up around. From the age of five, he carves out a space for himself and becomes the glue that holds his small family together.
• Comic books as bonding and saving lives. Though Curtis has always loved comic books, it isn’t until he, his dad Zippy, and his step-mom Larissa are in Witness Protection that they start bonding over their own comic book creation, the Dark Maestro. But can comic book superheroes transcend the page and save lives in the real world?
• Blending classical music with rap. Zippy likes rap; Curtis plays classical music on his cello. Eventually, they come to appreciate each other’s music and even create their own blend of the two. Aww!
• Three POVs. Throughout the novel, we get to see what and why each of the main characters does what they do. Curtis, Larissa, and Zippy each have their own goals and setbacks to overcome.
• The low class background. This book doesn’t shy away from showing the harsh realities that many face. This family grows up in an area known for gangs and drugs. Zippy had few opportunities and ended up selling drugs; when he later started working on the black market, it was only with the intention of providing for his family. When Curtis sets his sights on becoming a concert cellist, the odds are against him due to his poor background.

What Didn’t Work for Me:

• Second half was a bit disjointed. While I loved the first 33% of this book, it then takes an abrupt turn and ends up becoming something different than I’d anticipated. The themes are interesting (and resonant, especially after reading the author’s note at the back!), but the way it all unfolds felt less immersive and cohesive than the first part. You also have to suspend disbelief quite a bit.
• More music please! Curtis’s focus on music and playing cello is so important at the beginning of the book, but it starts to fade away, too, as the story progresses.

Final Thoughts

The Dark Maestro is a bit of a departure for Brendan Slocumb. Although it certainly weaves in many themes that have already become his signature, this one leans more heavily on comic books, a superhero arc, and lives ruined by nefarious criminals. It actually plays out like a movie, so I could see an adaptation working. Even with the differences, I still enjoyed this novel and will be looking for the author’s next book.

Special thanks to Doubleday Books and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of this book!

Get the Book

You can buy The Dark Maestro here – it’s available as a hardcover, paperback, ebook, and audiobook.

The Dark Maestro by Brendan Slocumb
Audience	Adult
Genre	Crime Fiction
Setting	Washington, D.C.
Number of Pages	416
Format I Read	Ebook (NetGalley ARC)
Original Publication Date	May 13, 2025
Publisher	Doubleday

Official Summary

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.