The Violin Conspiracy
14 journalers for this copy...
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I discovered this book when it was chosen for the 2023 Tournament of Books and it ended up being one of my favourites of the entire year. I loved its mix of music, mystery and exploration of social issues.
The novel is about a poor Black violinist who, through hard work, mentorship, and the unexpected inheritance of a Stradivarius violin, finds himself poised to conquer the classical music world, until his precious violin is stolen from him.
This story really spoke to me, partly because my younger daughter is an amateur violist and violinist. Though she didn't face nearly as many obstacles or owned anything close to a Stradivarius, many of the scenes were familiar.
The novel is about a poor Black violinist who, through hard work, mentorship, and the unexpected inheritance of a Stradivarius violin, finds himself poised to conquer the classical music world, until his precious violin is stolen from him.
This story really spoke to me, partly because my younger daughter is an amateur violist and violinist. Though she didn't face nearly as many obstacles or owned anything close to a Stradivarius, many of the scenes were familiar.
This is my choice for the Favourite Book of 2023 Roundabout hosted by dark-draco. Here is the reading order:
djf1968
echode
39301
valpete
cross-patch
dark-draco
earthcaroleanne
greenbadger
estelle1806
grovalskii
Fifna
Andrasthe
Icila
djf1968
echode
39301
valpete
cross-patch
dark-draco
earthcaroleanne
greenbadger
estelle1806
grovalskii
Fifna
Andrasthe
Icila
This book is on its way to djf1968.
My first book in the Favorite Books of 2023 roundabout has arrived. I'll read it in January and send it off to its next reader.
This came into my January reading queue through a “book roundabout” I’m participating in, where twelve readers choose the best thing they read in 2023, and each goes to each reader in the circle, over the course of 2024. This probably isn’t a book I would have picked up on my own, but I’m really glad I spent a few days with it.
The author was born in Yuba City, CA. One of my favorite authors loved this book the way I love what that author writes, so I was really looking forward to reading it. It didn’t disappoint. The entire thing… the story itself, the way the author strings words together is positively musical. That probably shouldn’t have surprised me, but it did. Yes, there are slow parts… but they serve to build up to something bigger, stronger, and more resonant. Just like music.
Some of my favorite quotes
"When you begin to hate them just because they hate you, you turn into them. And then they win."
"He would not be ignored or denied or embarrassed ever again: he was a musician, and music had no color."
"Ray would pour himself onto the classical route, which had clear signposts and a yellow line down one side. With jazz, there were no signs; the GPS just said 'Go.'"
"Ray was honored to bring music composed by people who looked like him to people who knew nothing about him."
"What if he just played notes instead of making music?"
"Just remember how much you love playing. That's all you need to do. Stand up there and hold that amazing gift your grandmother gave you and just love the music you're playing."
"Music is about communication—a way of touching your fellow man beyond and above and below language; it is a language all its own."
The author was born in Yuba City, CA. One of my favorite authors loved this book the way I love what that author writes, so I was really looking forward to reading it. It didn’t disappoint. The entire thing… the story itself, the way the author strings words together is positively musical. That probably shouldn’t have surprised me, but it did. Yes, there are slow parts… but they serve to build up to something bigger, stronger, and more resonant. Just like music.
Some of my favorite quotes
"When you begin to hate them just because they hate you, you turn into them. And then they win."
"He would not be ignored or denied or embarrassed ever again: he was a musician, and music had no color."
"Ray would pour himself onto the classical route, which had clear signposts and a yellow line down one side. With jazz, there were no signs; the GPS just said 'Go.'"
"Ray was honored to bring music composed by people who looked like him to people who knew nothing about him."
"What if he just played notes instead of making music?"
"Just remember how much you love playing. That's all you need to do. Stand up there and hold that amazing gift your grandmother gave you and just love the music you're playing."
"Music is about communication—a way of touching your fellow man beyond and above and below language; it is a language all its own."
Journal Entry 7 by 
djf1968
at Favourite Book Bookring, A Bookring -- Controlled Releases on Saturday, January 20, 2024
djf1968 at Favourite Book Bookring, A Bookring -- Controlled Releases on Saturday, January 20, 2024
Released 12 mos ago (1/21/2024 UTC) at Favourite Book Bookring, A Bookring -- Controlled Releases
CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:
Off to the next reader... enjoy!
Now in Seattle!
Can't wait to dig into a book that would't've been on my radar were it not for this roundabout :)
Can't wait to dig into a book that would't've been on my radar were it not for this roundabout :)
I enjoyed learning about yet another thing I didn't know I didn't know, in this microhistory presented as a whodunit. The author masterfully described the poetry one feels in hearing a good violinist and, I imagine, in creating that music. His experiences as an educator are showcased in the emphasis on support and fostering talent. Also underscored, but not surprising, was the lack of representation in classical music, particularly of Black artists. Where it was a little weak for me was the actual mystery. But that's neither here nor there, as the story unfolded at a good clip.
Journal Entry 10 by 
echode
at Favourite Book Roundabout, Bookring -- Controlled Releases on Thursday, February 1, 2024
echode at Favourite Book Roundabout, Bookring -- Controlled Releases on Thursday, February 1, 2024
Released 11 mos ago (2/1/2024 UTC) at Favourite Book Roundabout, Bookring -- Controlled Releases
CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:
This is off to 39301, enjoy!
Arrived to my postal box! What a great looking cover!
Journal Entry 12 by 
39301
at Book Relay, By Mail/Post/Courier -- Controlled Releases on Saturday, February 24, 2024
39301 at Book Relay, By Mail/Post/Courier -- Controlled Releases on Saturday, February 24, 2024
Released 10 mos ago (2/25/2024 UTC) at Book Relay, By Mail/Post/Courier -- Controlled Releases
CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:
An enjoyable read. I gained insight into the privileged world of classical music and how underrepresented people of color are. I really like the main character and empathize with the difficulties he faced growing his career in music.
I agree the mystery was the weakest part of the story. However, I appreciate the author's efforts to provide a perspective into his own life's journey because he is also a classical musician.
I agree the mystery was the weakest part of the story. However, I appreciate the author's efforts to provide a perspective into his own life's journey because he is also a classical musician.
I received this book today. I did read this last year for my book group and found the mystery aspect of the book overshadowed the good parts of the book. Not my favorite.
Journal Entry 14 by 
Cross-patch
at Leicester, Leicestershire United Kingdom on Friday, March 15, 2024
Cross-patch at Leicester, Leicestershire United Kingdom on Friday, March 15, 2024
Arrived this morning.
Journal Entry 15 by Cross-patch at Leicester, Leicestershire United Kingdom on Sunday, April 14, 2024
Cross-patch at Leicester, Leicestershire United Kingdom on Sunday, April 14, 2024
Another new to me author discovered with the favourites roundabout. As so often on this journey I learned much and greatly appreciated the quality of the characters and story telling. Thank you for the introduction Mathgirl40.
Journal Entry 16 by Cross-patch at -- By Post or by Hand--, -- By post or by hand/ in person -- United Kingdom on Sunday, April 14, 2024
Cross-patch at -- By Post or by Hand--, -- By post or by hand/ in person -- United Kingdom on Sunday, April 14, 2024
Released 9 mos ago (4/14/2024 UTC) at -- By Post or by Hand--, -- By post or by hand/ in person -- United Kingdom
CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:
Going in the post to the next in line.
Received - thank you :)
It took me a long time to get into this book - I liked it from the start, but after the violin is stolen in the first few pages, the story takes a more meandering path through the history of the characters. But after a while, Ray and his messed up life started to grow on me and I found myself eager to read the next chapter.
I don't live in America, and everything I know about the country I'm afraid I've learnt from TV, books and films. The racism and prejudice that Ray goes through, while disturbing and frustrating (on his behalf!) to read, seems to fit in with everything else that I've ever read or watched - sadly, it seems it almost an expected and accepted part of life in the US. What made me more angry (again, on his behalf) is how Ray's FAMILY behave. Their lack of support and ambition for Ray is so sad ... and you have to cheer for him when he refuses to give up what he loves and aims for more than what they want.
As for the mystery surrounding the theft of the violin, I didn't really find that particularly mysterious or original. However, the rest of the story - how the violin ended up in Ray's family and how it effected him, is more entertaining anyway.
A good read and I'd definitely keep my eye out for more books by this author in the future.
I don't live in America, and everything I know about the country I'm afraid I've learnt from TV, books and films. The racism and prejudice that Ray goes through, while disturbing and frustrating (on his behalf!) to read, seems to fit in with everything else that I've ever read or watched - sadly, it seems it almost an expected and accepted part of life in the US. What made me more angry (again, on his behalf) is how Ray's FAMILY behave. Their lack of support and ambition for Ray is so sad ... and you have to cheer for him when he refuses to give up what he loves and aims for more than what they want.
As for the mystery surrounding the theft of the violin, I didn't really find that particularly mysterious or original. However, the rest of the story - how the violin ended up in Ray's family and how it effected him, is more entertaining anyway.
A good read and I'd definitely keep my eye out for more books by this author in the future.
Journal Entry 19 by 
dark-draco
at Favourite Book of the Year Roundabout, -- By post or by hand/ in person -- United Kingdom on Tuesday, May 28, 2024
dark-draco at Favourite Book of the Year Roundabout, -- By post or by hand/ in person -- United Kingdom on Tuesday, May 28, 2024
Released 7 mos ago (5/28/2024 UTC) at Favourite Book of the Year Roundabout, -- By post or by hand/ in person -- United Kingdom
CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:
Off to the next reader
Arrived with another favourites book.
I loved this. It’s a strong 9.5 and the only reason it didn’t get 10 stars was because of the too neat tidying up at the end. I found the story completely gripping. At the beginning I found myself constantly asking questions, “What’s the problem with his family?”, “Who are the Marks?”. Later, what I didn’t understand, was why Ray still kept in touch with his family and even moreso, keep sending them money. They were all so ungrateful, selfish and demanding. I really enjoyed finding out more about his family history though. At times, when Ray was being treated badly because of his skin colour, I had wonder in what time period this was set. It really exposes the insidious nature of prejudice, challenging the reader to confront uncomfortable truths, such as the fact that people are still making assumptions of a person just because of their race. It was a great insight as to how sick and pervasive racism is and how it impacts people. I believe many of the examples used actually happened to the author. I can’t play an instrument and I am total in awe of anyone who can just sit down and entertain.
Journal Entry 22 by 
earthcaroleanne
at St Albans, Hertfordshire United Kingdom on Wednesday, July 31, 2024
earthcaroleanne at St Albans, Hertfordshire United Kingdom on Wednesday, July 31, 2024
Released 5 mos ago (8/1/2024 UTC) at St Albans, Hertfordshire United Kingdom
CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:
Sending on in the roundabout (Sorry Greenbadger, I spelt your name wrong on the envelope).
Journal Entry 23 by greenbadger at St Albans, Hertfordshire United Kingdom on Saturday, August 3, 2024
greenbadger at St Albans, Hertfordshire United Kingdom on Saturday, August 3, 2024
It's arrived, thank you!
(I hadn't even noticed the spelling. No worries!)
(I hadn't even noticed the spelling. No worries!)
Journal Entry 24 by greenbadger at St Albans, Hertfordshire United Kingdom on Tuesday, August 6, 2024
greenbadger at St Albans, Hertfordshire United Kingdom on Tuesday, August 6, 2024
Ray McMillan is an incredibly gifted musician, but he faces huge disadvantages: his family don't support him, he can't afford his own violin, and he's black. The only one in Ray's family who has any time for his music is his grandma, who gives him her grandfather's beaten-up old fiddle. Despite his difficulties, Ray works hard, and is going places due to his talent. Then PopPop's fiddle turns out to be a priceless Stradivarius. Suddenly everyone is after Ray's violin, and then it is stolen right before he is due to enter the important Tchaikovsky Competition. Ray needs to prove that he is not just his Strad. This book brings together several interesting strands. Firstly, Ray's personal difficulties with his family, which are never fully explored. Why is his mum so horrible? Where is his dad? Secondly, the race aspect, which is really horrific. I thought the way Ray was treated in several incidents must surely be exaggerated, only to read in the author's notes that they are based on real incidents. He also faces racism from fellow musicians. Slocumb points out that only 1.8% of classical musicians are black. Then thirdly there's the mystery: who has stolen the violin? The twists and turns are fun though I did partly figure it out quite early. All in all, a good read and very thought-provoking.
Journal Entry 25 by greenbadger at St Albans, Hertfordshire United Kingdom on Wednesday, August 7, 2024
greenbadger at St Albans, Hertfordshire United Kingdom on Wednesday, August 7, 2024
Released 5 mos ago (8/7/2024 UTC) at St Albans, Hertfordshire United Kingdom
CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:
Posted to estelle1806.
Received while I was on holidays, probably around the 12th Aug.
I enjoyed this book and it was easy enough to read. I did not particularly warm to the main character but his story was somewhat compelling and well developped. Some over-dramatic and slow-paced moments maybe but all in all entertaining and eye-opening. Thanks for sharing, mathgirl40.
Journal Entry 28 by 
AnonymousFinder
at -- Per Post geschickt/ Persönlich weitergegeben --, Berlin Germany on Sunday, September 15, 2024
AnonymousFinder at -- Per Post geschickt/ Persönlich weitergegeben --, Berlin Germany on Sunday, September 15, 2024
Released 4 mos ago (9/16/2024 UTC) at -- Per Post geschickt/ Persönlich weitergegeben --, Berlin Germany
CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:
Travelling on to the next reader of the roundabout, enjoy!
Please let us know when you release it again...
Bon voyage !
Please let us know when you release it again...
Bon voyage !
The book arrived while I was on vacation, that's why I'm just now registering it. Sorry for the delay! I will start reading it in the next couple of days.
Somehow I found the beginning of the book slow, but then it really picked up and I couldn't put it down anymore. Fascinating story of overcoming hardship and even opposition from one's own family. In the beginning I was wondering what time this book was written in. I couldn't understand that the blatant racism was supposed to be happening now still. But apparently it does, and that - to me - is the real shocker in this book.
The end was a bit unsatisfactory. Too much of a happy ending and also some unresolved questions (e.g., what happened to the money that was collected with the crowd funding?). All in all a very good book for the roundabout, I thorougly enjoyed it.
The end was a bit unsatisfactory. Too much of a happy ending and also some unresolved questions (e.g., what happened to the money that was collected with the crowd funding?). All in all a very good book for the roundabout, I thorougly enjoyed it.
Arrived safely, thank you grovalskii!
I agree with what others have said about the mystery not being the best part of the book, even though it was very enjoyable and kept me interested. But it was a good structure for the deeper story of the racism, the lack of representation, all of which the main character has to fight against just to be able to do what he loves.
Well-written, full of great knowledge about the music, very good - thanks for sharing!
Well-written, full of great knowledge about the music, very good - thanks for sharing!
On its way to Andrasthe.
arrived safely
Update:
“Who you are goes beyond what you look like.”
“Together we are a symphony.”
On the surface, it’s an engaging mystery, but what really stayed with me was the protagonist’s journey through relentless racial bias. The story doesn’t just entertain; it makes you stop, think, and, frankly, feel mad as hell about the injustice.
As a white Central European woman, I live in a bubble where blatant, dehumanizing racism—like the kind the protagonist faces, especially from the police—is unthinkable. Covert bias? Sure, that’s a sadly familiar tune. But outright violations of human rights? Every time I read about them or see them in the news, I find myself asking: How? Why? What is wrong with people?
The book doesn’t shy away from these harsh realities, and while it was harrowing, it was also eye-opening. The author draws on personal experiences, weaving a fascinating behind-the-scenes look at a musician’s life with an unflinching exploration of systemic racism. It’s a tough balance, but the story handles it with grace and raw honesty.
Yes, there were a few slower moments, but the payoff was worth every page. The main character’s growth—both as a person and as a musician—is deeply satisfying. You root for him through every struggle and cheer for him as he finds his footing, his voice, and his strength. By the time you close the book, you’ll feel like you’ve been part of his journey, with all its highs and lows.
This is a story that will make you think, make you feel, and maybe even make you a little angry.
Update:
“Who you are goes beyond what you look like.”
“Together we are a symphony.”
On the surface, it’s an engaging mystery, but what really stayed with me was the protagonist’s journey through relentless racial bias. The story doesn’t just entertain; it makes you stop, think, and, frankly, feel mad as hell about the injustice.
As a white Central European woman, I live in a bubble where blatant, dehumanizing racism—like the kind the protagonist faces, especially from the police—is unthinkable. Covert bias? Sure, that’s a sadly familiar tune. But outright violations of human rights? Every time I read about them or see them in the news, I find myself asking: How? Why? What is wrong with people?
The book doesn’t shy away from these harsh realities, and while it was harrowing, it was also eye-opening. The author draws on personal experiences, weaving a fascinating behind-the-scenes look at a musician’s life with an unflinching exploration of systemic racism. It’s a tough balance, but the story handles it with grace and raw honesty.
Yes, there were a few slower moments, but the payoff was worth every page. The main character’s growth—both as a person and as a musician—is deeply satisfying. You root for him through every struggle and cheer for him as he finds his footing, his voice, and his strength. By the time you close the book, you’ll feel like you’ve been part of his journey, with all its highs and lows.
This is a story that will make you think, make you feel, and maybe even make you a little angry.
The book is now with me along with djf1968's.
