GOOD MORNING AMERICA BOOK CLUB PICK! • Ray McMillian is a Black classical musician on the rise—undeterred by the pressure and prejudice of the classical music world—when a shocking theft sends him on a desperate quest to recover his great-great-grandfather’s heirloom violin on the eve of the most prestigious musical competition in the world.

“I loved The Violin Conspiracy for exactly the same reasons I loved The Queen’s Gambit: a surprising, beautifully rendered underdog hero I cared about deeply and a fascinating, cutthroat world I knew nothing about—in this case, classical music.” —Chris Bohjalian, #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Flight Attendant and Hour of the Witch

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. - (Findaway World Llc)

Booklist Reviews

*Starred Review* Slocumb's coming-of-age debut novel features Ray, a Black violinist who overcomes indifference at home and continually rises above the racism of the classical world. As a contender at a Tchaikovsky competition, he discovers that his beloved fiddle, gifted from his grandmother, is being held for an insurmountable ransom. Jackson is both conductor and soloist, nimbly inhabiting characters across age and gender, time periods, and geography. He masterfully enraptures with his versatility and warmth: the listener imagines Jackson at center stage and is transported into Ray's nuanced life of music and intrigue. Jackson sets an intimate, melodic atmosphere, delivering the perfect tone for each character and each moment. Ray's youthful enthusiasm and wavering self-doubts mature into the assertive voice of a man standing his ground, of a sensitive mentor nurturing hopeful Black musicians. The irritation and impatience of his self-absorbed family soften into the unconditional, assuaging love of his grandmother. Jackson's perceptive, moving rendition of a letter from the past alone makes this audiobook star-worthy. The audio is further enhanced by musical interludes of classical pieces prominent in the novel, imbuing the listener with the sense of hearing a violin concerto. Listeners are then treated to an encore as author Slocumb reads his own afterword, giving insights into his experiences as a Black classical musician and the real-life inspiration for parts of the novel. Copyright 2023 Booklist Reviews.