Bern has been called to authenticate the long-lost musical masterpiece of Frederic Delaney, lauded by some as the most prolific composer since Beethoven. Bern believes he knows everything about Delaney-- the man and his music. But, he soon learns otherwise: That the genius of a young Black woman named Josephine Reed fuels the brilliance of his work. Determined to uncover the truth that a powerful organization wants to keep hidden, Bern will stop at nothing to right history's wrongs and give Josephine the recognition she deserves.
Author Brendan Nicholaus Slocumb is a graduate of the University of North Carolina at Greensboro with a degree in music education, concentrations on Violin and Viola. For the past two decades, he has been a public and private school music educator. He has been named to Who’s Who of American teachers, and is a Nobel Teacher of distinction. Brendan also serves as an educational consultant for the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. He maintains a private music studio teaching lessons to students on violin, guitar and piano.
Music has always played a major part of Brendan’s life. When he was nine, he started playing violin through a public school music program. His violin opened the door to opportunity, and he ran through it. Brendan believes that everyone can learn to appreciate and love music, and that it can be a new way of communicating, building bonds, and connecting with people who may look, sound, or speak differently.
In 2022, Brendan published his first novel, THE VIOLIN CONSPIRACY, a GMA Book Club Pick, the riveting story of a young Black musician who discovers that his old family fiddle is actually a priceless Stradivarius: when it’s stolen on the eve of the world’s most prestigious classical music competition, he risks everything to get it back. Brendan is now at work on his third novel, to be published in early 2025.
- KBOO