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Anchor Books

The Violin Conspiracy: A Novel (Good Morning America Book Club)

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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. Read more

Publisher ‏ : ‎ Anchor


Accessibility ‏ : ‎ Learn more


Publication date ‏ : ‎ February 1, 2022


Language ‏ : ‎ English


File size ‏ : ‎ 1.8 MB


Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported


Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled


X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Enabled


Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled


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Top Amazon Reviews

    • Riveting, Resonant, and Unmistakably Real
Format: Audiobook
The storytelling in The Violin Conspiracy is riveting. I found myself engrossed almost immediately and stayed that way until the final page. As a Black man, the family dynamics, the internal drive to succeed against long odds, and the determination to overcome both visible and invisible barriers were incredibly moving. As a student of the Civil Rights Movement and a fifth-generation descendant of slavery, the historical references and present-day realities felt unmistakably real. Nothing about this story rang false. This novel reads less like a traditional whodunit and more like a historical narrative and coming-of-age story. I especially appreciated the way the author, himself a lover of music, infused elements of his own lived experience into Ray’s life. That intimacy shows on every page. Whether or not you are a lover of classical music, you will not want to put this book down. ... show more
Reviewed in the United States on February 7, 2026 by Rev. Kevin T. Taylor
    • A Novel About Race And Classical Music
Format: Kindle
Ray McMillian has loved music and specifically, the violin, since he discovered them as a child. He plays in the school band but doesn't have the advantages the other students do. Ray is black and his family is barely scraping by, uninterested in his vocation and not able to provide private lessons or even a violin to practice on. Ray makes do with the school's violin and practices in the air at night in his room. Then one Christmas while on the annual family get-together, his grandmother gives him a gift he treasures. She gives him his grandfather's violin which family history says has been passed down through the family from the former slave who was gifted it by his owner. Now Ray can practice for hours. At a state competition, his talent is recognized and he is chosen over many other students. He is also noticed by one of the judges, also black, who recognizes his talent and arranges for him to be offered a scholarship at the university at which she teaches. Ray rises to the top there and afterwards is making his way up the ladder in the world of classical music. When he takes his violin in to be repaired, a miracle occurs and it turns out that the old violin, handed down through generations, is a Stradivarius. This is a story that makes the news as it is worth around ten million dollars. But Ray just treasures it as his violin. He continues to play it everywhere. When he is accepted into the Tchaikovsky Competition in Russia, it is an honor he can hardly believe. No American has won this competition except Van Claiborne and he won in the piano competition. But before Ray can go, his violin is stolen. How? Who? It's not like others hadn't wanted his violin. His own family had a lawsuit against him, since once they discovered what had seemed like a beat up fiddle was worth a fortune, they decided they were the rightful owners. Descendants of the former slave owner had a lawsuit as well and showed up repeatedly, trying to intimidate Ray. A hotel maid, a baggage handler, anyone could have wanted this violin. Could Ray possibly win the biggest competition in his life without it? This is a debut novel for the author and received a lot of buzz. The theme running throughout the novel is the place that race plays in the opportunities available to black students. Only 1.8 percent of classical musicians are black and that is a result of the lack of exposure, private lessons, ability to enter and travel to regional and state competitions or to even attend college. This book was a real touchstone to me as the author was raised in North Carolina where I live and got his degree in music from a university a few miles from me where I also attended and got a degree. The reader will fall in love with Ray and his fight to be able to do the one thing he was made to do; play classical music and bring a love of music to everyone. This book is recommended for readers of literary fiction. ... show more
Reviewed in the United States on September 23, 2023 by Sandra Iler Kirkland
    • Wonderful Violin Mystery Book for Classical Music Lovers.
Format: Hardcover
Love this book. I played a violin as a child and teenager and could really relate. I've never read a mystery book about a violin before! His experiences show us we still need to improve racial equality for all. It was fun to be reminded of so many great classical pieces of music. Loved him, and his Grandmother:) This has everything, Love, Mystery, Intrigue, Race Relations, Education, Coming of Age, Friendship, etc. I suggest you also read up on the author, maybe listen to one of his interviews. ... show more
Reviewed in the United States on February 18, 2026 by Hard to please reader in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan
    • A symphony of storytelling
Format: Kindle
Just finished "The Violin Conspiracy," the debut novel of Brendan Slocumb - a symphony of storytelling intertwining mystery, music, resilience, and systemic prejudice. One becomes sensitive to the plight of being a black man in America as Slocumb masterfully weaves his protagonist’s journey from rural North Carolina to the global stage of classical music. What sets this novel apart is Slocumb’s ability to immerse readers in the cutthroat world of classical music, illustrating its beauty and its barriers. His descriptions of music are vivid and electrifying, making you feel as though you’re sitting in a concert hall, while his exploration of racism is unflinchingly honest and thought-provoking. There were times while reading where I would pause and search the particular violin concerto being discussed to listen to the music, which added a differentiator to my reading experience. To create added drama and tension, the theft of a beloved violin serves as the catalyst for a high-stakes mystery. But in the end, the novel’s true soul lies in our protagonist's grit, determination, and love for music. Truly enjoyed the story, characters, and depth of feeling created by the author. High praise and 5 stars. Check it out! ... show more
Reviewed in the United States on November 16, 2024 by R Scheese
    • 🥹🥹🥹
Format: Kindle
The violin conspiracy was a story that was quite different for me, but I absolutely loved it! The narrator for the audio was fantastic. There was a case of the missing violin, an international competition, family drama, greed, and the ugly side - doused with racism - of the music industry. Who says a poor black boy with his violin and a dream couldn’t change his life.. the story as a whole was good but the ending felt rushed. I would recommend. ... show more
Reviewed in the United States on July 14, 2025 by ReadnliftwithShar
    • Excellent read!
Format: Paperback
An excellent read from start to finish. I especially loved the journey of Ray McMillian and the way his story is written. He’s a deeply relatable character who faces painful confrontations with bigotry, which resonated strongly with me. Having grown up in the former Yugoslavia, from a country that has often been historically marginalized and treated as lesser or “second-class,” I connected deeply with Ray’s experiences of prejudice and exclusion. I also got a real kick out of Ray’s trip to Serbia—it added an unexpected personal layer for me. The Violin Conspiracy is a true literary marvel, and I appreciate the author’s freedom and courage in exploring such powerful characters and themes. ... show more
Reviewed in the United States on February 1, 2026 by Gene Luke, Founder of Brevard Authors Society

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