Book Review: The Dark Maestro by Brendan Slocumb

The Dark Maestro by Brendan Slocumb
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Curtis Wilson, his father Zippy, and surrogate mother Larissa live in the Washington DC projects.  Curtis receives a cello through a charitable organization when he is 5 years old, and it changes his life.  He immerses himself into practicing his cello, attends Julliard, and his goal is to become a cello soloist with major orchestras.  He is so close to achieving his goal when his family's life comes crashing down due to his father's drug dealing.  His life is forever changed and his family is on the run. 

I have read both of Brendan Slocumb's other books and love how they are  infused with classical music and musicians, a theme which is continued in this book.  In addition, this novel brings in superheros, comics and animated videos, juxtaposing them with both classical music and rap.  The chapters alternate between the three main characters - Curtis, Zippy and Larissa - each bringing their own point of view and enhancing the development of each character.  The themes of class struggle, the importance of family, commitment, haves and have-nots, goals and success are all addressed.  Overall, quite a page-turner!

Many thanks to NetGalley and Doubleday for an advanced reader copy to review in exchange for an honest opinion.  This book will be published May 13, 2025.  

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Book Review: The Long Way Home by Louise Penney (Armand Gamache #10)

The Long Way Home by Louise Penny
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Armand and Reine-Marie Gamache have both recently retired and moved to the small village of Three Pines.  They have successfully created a slower and more peaceful lifestyle, spending time with long-time friends.  Clara approaches Armand with a problem - Peter has not returned after their one-year trial separation, and she wants to find him.  Armand, Jean-Guy, Clara and Myrna set out to follow his tracks, hoping to discover his whereabouts.  This search takes them to Toronto, Montreal, calls and emails to Scotland, and finally to the northern artists' community in Tabaquen.

The pacing of this book is very different from the previous nine in the series - much slower.  There's a mystery, and there's a murder.  However, Armand is no longer the Chief Inspector Gamache leading the team, although he does use his contacts in the Sûreté du Québec to help answer some questions and track Peter's travels over the past year.  The book focuses on Peter's art, along with his reaction to Clara's artistic success.  It will be interesting to see where Louise Penny takes Armand Gamache from here.  

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Book Review: Killers of a Certain Age by Deanna Raybourn (Killers of a Certain Age #1)

Killers of a Certain Age by Deanna Raybourn
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Billie, Mary Alice, Natalie and Helen have worked together as assassins for "The Museum" for the past 40 years.  Having retired at age 60, they are offered an all-expenses paid cruise by their employer.  Soon after boarding, they realize that they have been targeted by one of their colleagues.  False rumors about them have been spread to The Museum powers-that-be, resulting in the hit on their lives.

We follow the four in their attempts to stave off being killed, while figuring out who started the rumors and who in The Museum is actually involved.  The book combines light hearted, humorous passages with serious plotting and assassinations.  There are flashbacks to early 'jobs', and it's obvious that these four ladies have a long-standing friendship, willing to do anything for others in their group.  

This was a quick and fun read.  I loved reading how these ladies were continually underestimated and dismissed due to their age and the fact that they were women!  I also enjoyed finding out more about their backstories and their jobs together.  I'm looking forward to reading the second book in this series, and can definitely envision this being made into a streaming series.  

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Book Review: Food for Thought: Essays and Ruminations by Alton Brown

Food for Thought: Essays and Ruminations by Alton Brown
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This is part memoir, part essay, and I enjoyed every page of it!  We get an inside peak into his life -- a young Alton growing up, his food inspirations, how he got started with Good Eats, Ma Mae's famous biscuits, behind-the-scenes at Iron Chef America, his thoughts on the martini, and MUCH more!

My husband and I have been watching Alton Brown since the early days of Food Network when he was doing Good Eats.  Those episodes were a magical combination of cooking, eating, food, science and entertainment, and we learned so much from them.  Unfortunately, I agree with Alton that the Food Network has now become the Food Game Show Network.  Shows that actually teach cooking skills are few and far between.

I would highly recommend this book for anyone who has watched and appreciated Alton Brown's sense of humor and love for cooking and food.  Five stars!!

Read more of my reviews at https://thegoodreader13.blogspot.com/.

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