BRENDAN NICHOLAUS SLOCUMB was raised in Fayetteville, NC, and holds a degree in music education (with concentrations in violin and viola) from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. For more than twenty years he has been a public and private school music educator and has performed with orchestras throughout northern Virginia, Maryland, and Washington, DC.

ONE OF KIRKUS'S BEST MYSTERIES AND THRILLERS OF THE YEAR - NAMED ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR BY CRIMEREADS

"Brendan Slocumb always brings his deep understanding and love of music to his novels. . . . In this perfectly crafted thriller, Slocumb acts as the master conductor, bringing together a twisty plot and gorgeously wrought characters." --The Boston Globe

"Slocumb's gripping storytelling hits all the right notes, making this a standout performance." --Oprah Daily

"This thriller about a musical prodigy delivers a virtuoso performance. . . . It is about coming together as a family out of sheer love and appreciation for one another despite the chaos all around." --Christian Science Monitor

"Slocumb hits a high note with heart and adrenaline. . . . Slocumb's storytelling remains emotionally resonant and fast-paced, with vibrant POVs and a deep love for music anchoring the narrative. . . . Equal parts heartwarming, high-stakes and wildly original." --The Seattle Times

"Music lovers and thriller readers rejoice--The Dark Maestro, like Slocumb's other novels, is in perfect harmony with both." --USA Today

"A virtuosic thriller. . . . This is an intricately plotted novel, paced perfectly by Slocumb, who keeps the book moving at a breakneck speed--but not at the expense of his beautifully drawn characters. Curtis, shy and sweet, is especially memorable; Slocumb paints a beautiful picture of the young man's internal life. . . . This novel should catapult Slocumb into the upper echelon of thriller authors." --Kirkus Reviews (starred)

"A musical literary thriller. . . . The twists of the story keep coming, and the thread of superhero comics and the Dark Maestro brings readers along on a journey that comic book fans will appreciate." --Library Journal (starred)

"Slocumb's gripping third novel, The Dark Maestro, takes readers on a breathless ride. . . . Propulsive and gritty, yet suffused with the fierce love of family, The Dark Maestro weaves together themes of ambition, justice, and stubborn hope--with a side of fiendishly clever musical revenge." --Shelf Awareness

"As heartbreaking as it is triumphant. . . . Slocumb strikes every emotional chord in this gripping, music-infused thriller. The Dark Maestro is a story of resilience, loyalty, and found family--a bold symphony about what we're willing to sacrifice for those we love, and how far we'll go to reclaim the music that makes us whole." --Suspense Magazine

"Slocumb delivers another winning music-themed thriller." --Booklist

"Like the music he describes, Brendan Slocumb's prose lifts and soars, penetrating you with its emotional resonance, then propelling you forward with mystery. . . . Dazzles. . . . Paired with the meticulously plotted mystery, Slocumb's characters come fully to life, propelling the book at breakneck speed until its shocking conclusion." --Bookreporter

"The Dark Maestro is my favorite kind of book--one that keeps you riveted in the moment, turning pages feverishly. But then, long after you're done, the book creeps into your mind and lingers. Packed with a love of music, injected with the elements of the best kind of thrillers, and told through the prism of an unforgettable protagonist, The Dark Maestro is a tour de force and a book unlike any other. I loved it." --Alex Segura, bestselling author of Alter Ego and Secret Identity

"Move over Daredevil, step aside Dark Knight. Cellist by day, bringer of justice by night, the domino-mask wearing Curtis Wilson, his shady pops and the old man's fearless girlfriend constitute a kind of Terrific Three for these tough times. That is if they manage to not get their heads blown off trying to get out from under. Great reading." --Gary Phillips, author of Ash Dark as Night

Publisher: Vintage

Pub date: 2026-04-07

Length: 416 pages