Synopsis:

Ray McMillian loves playing the violin more than anything, and nothing will stop him from pursuing his dream of becoming a professional musician. Not his mother, who thinks he should get a real job, not the fact that he can’t afford a high-caliber violin, not the racism inherent in the classical music world. And when he makes the startling discovery that his great-grandfather’s fiddle is actually a priceless Stradivarius, his star begins to rise. 

Then with the international Tchaikovsky Competition—the Olympics of classical music—fast approaching, his prized family heirloom is stolen. Ray is determined to get it back. But now his family and the descendants of the man who once enslaved Ray’s great-grandfather are each claiming that the violin belongs to them. With the odds stacked against him and the pressure mounting, will Ray ever see his beloved violin again?

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What To Expect:

Readers can expect a unique mystery that jumps around in time and has themes of music, racism, and family.

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Content Warnings:

Language: Moderate – Cursing throughout but not heavily saturated

Sexual Content: Mild passing mention of nudity

Violence: Moderate to Heavy – Stories of slave torture (graphic), police brutality, sexual assault

Substance Use: Moderate – Alcohol

Prejudices: Moderate to Heavy – Racism (including derogatory slurs) + classism

Religious Themes: None

Other Topics: Loss of loved ones, terminal illness

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