I liked this book about a young black man’s meteoric rise in the classical music world, who did it without the support of his family, except for a wonderful grandmother. She would teach him that regardless of how he’s treated, he must treat everyone with respect. The book also highlights the amazing difference a nurturing teacher can make.

There is a mystery here too about a stolen violin. This provides plenty of tension at the novel’s slow beginning, but it speeds up in the second half when you are really rooting for him. I had put the book down after a few chapters, but I’m glad I picked it up again and finished it.

This was written by a musician who really knows his stuff; the passages about music are the best bits. Clunkier is the mystery part for this first time author, which is why I’ll give it only 4 stars.

However, I’d still highly recommend The Violin Conspiracy as an interesting, unique read; it is so satisfying to watch the unfolding success of someone overcoming the prejudice of being underrepresented in a field.