Review of The Violin Conspiracy
Ray McMillian is a talented, young, black violinist who struggles to overcome multiple obstacles on his way to international success as a professional violinist. Along the way, his violin is stolen, mixing in a little mystery with Ray’s story.
The obstacles include his own family, especially his mother who wants him to get a job instead of going to college. Then most of his family when they find out he is making good money playing the violin his grandmother gave him. They think they are all entitled to the earnings since it was a family heirloom.
When the heirloom turns out to be a rare, valuable Stradivarious, not only does it bring out the family vultures, but it encourages others – who think they are the actual owners – to try to claim the violin. Then there is the thief. On the eve of Ray’s entry into a prestigious musical competition, the instrument is stolen and ransomed.
The mystery of the missing violin is secondary to Ray’s story. Racism abounds. People are convinced that a black man can’t play classical music. For Ray, proving them wrong becomes as big a job as actually learning and perfecting the music. Along the way, he meets and is mentored by a fabulous teacher who introduces him to the world of being a classical violin soloist.
As a former violinist (in my youth) I was quite taken by this character. The heart and soul of Ray’s story is his love of two things – the music and his grandmother. Ray immerses himself in the music and thus draws in the reader. In my mind, I could hear the music playing and wanted it to keep playing. The solved mystery was a bit anticlimactic because the only thing I cared about was Ray’s success.
I downloaded the audiobook and e-book from my library. My review is my honest opinion.
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About The Violin Conspiracy by Brendan Slocumb
Growing up Black in rural North Carolina, Ray McMillian’s life is already mapped out. But Ray has a gift and a dream—he’s determined to become a world-class professional violinist, and nothing will stand in his way. Not his mother, who wants him to stop making such a racket; not the fact that he can’t afford a violin suitable to his talents; not even the racism inherent in the world of classical music.
When he discovers that his beat-up, family fiddle is actually a priceless Stradivarius, all his dreams suddenly seem within reach, and together, Ray and his violin take the world by storm. But on the eve of the renowned and cutthroat Tchaikovsky Competition—the Olympics of classical music—the violin is stolen, a ransom note for five million dollars left in its place. Without it, Ray feels like he’s lost a piece of himself. As the competition approaches, Ray must not only reclaim his precious violin, but prove to himself—and the world—that no matter the outcome, there has always been a truly great musician within him.
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