Musicologist Bern Hendricks discovers a hidden secret within the archives of the legendary twentieth-century composer Frederick Delaney. While restoring the original score of Delaney's lost opera, Bern finds cryptic markings belonging to Josephine Reed, a neurodivergent Black woman who lived in the 1920s. The narrative shifts between Bern’s modern investigation and Josephine’s past, revealing that Delaney did not write his famous works. Instead, he exploited Josephine’s musical synesthesia and creative genius, stealing her melodies while the Delaney Foundation suppressed the truth to maintain a billion-dollar legacy.
Historical fiction enthusiasts and musicians will find a realistic portrayal of the classical music industry and the systemic erasure of marginalized voices. Readers gain a technical perspective on music theory and the labor behind artistic production. The story provides a detailed look at how intellectual property theft functions within institutional power structures. It offers a sober examination of the tension between public reputation and private exploitation, leaving the reader to consider the cost of protecting a cultural icon’s falsified history.
Insights from Symphony of Secrets
“If something isn’t right, you have to fix it.”
Bern Mabry is a hero but he's also a victim of his own idol worship. He realizes his favorite composer probably never wrote a single note of his hits.
“He stole her soul. He stole her music.”
Freddie Delaney stole everything from a woman who couldn't defend herself. It makes me sick how easily he erased Josephine from his own success.
Josephine Reed saw the world in colors and shapes that translated into music. She lived in a different reality. People just called her crazy instead of listening.
“Money doesn't just talk. It screams.”
The Delaney Foundation cares more about their brand than the truth. They treat history like a PR problem to be managed through threats.
- Published
- 2023
- Publisher
- Anchor
- ISBN
- 9780593315446
- Language
- EN
