Published 6 March 2026 by New York author Sloan Richman, Small Town Symphony (In Four Deadly Movements) is a contemporary crime novel set in an affluent suburban town. Blending mystery with the detective genre, and also with a hint of literary fiction, the novel is a unique read that’s biggest strength is by far its memorable character work. Combining a intriguing mystery with a compelling portrayal of suburban life, it’s the kind of book that feels heavily indebted to its influences but also very much its own thing.
The novel opens in North Winslow, New Jersey, an affluent suburb. When a series of peculiar burglary incidents begins to disturb the town, suspicion falls quickly upon local Daniel Cole. Daniel is a violin and piano teacher in his late twenties, a musical prodigy with social awkwardness and anxiety who still lives with his parents. When Detective Larry Keegan needs a quick resolution to the case, Daniel becomes the perfect solution.
As the accusations mount, Daniel finds himself trapped in a system more concerned with appearances than truth. Though the evidence against him is circumstantial, his unusual behaviour and presence at multiple open houses make him an easy target. Faced with the prospect of losing his independence and being forced to leave the town with his parents, Daniel resolves to uncover the real perpetrator himself and clear his name, using his keen sense of music to identify connections others have overlooked.
The biggest appeal of Small Town Symphony is the neurodivergent main character. He is not “quirky” in the manic pixie sense, nor is he a savant offering convenient bursts of genius. Rather, Daniel is a person whose mind operates according to genuinely different logic. His perfect pitch and auditory memory are not just plot devices but a key part of his character. Despite his unique skills, he is written in a way that is relatable. Its rare to find such thoughtful and non-patronising portrayals of neurodivergent characters.
As well as Daniel being a great character, I really enjoyed reading his relationships—particularly with Frank, his fiercely loyal dyslexic friend, and with his mother, Heidi, which is another of the book’s highlights. This is shown in moments such as when Frank defends him, insisting, “Don’t call him that!” when others refer to Daniel as “The Freak”. Another aspect I really enjoyed was the humour of the novel and often hilarious dialogue, which sets it apart from more self-serious detective fiction: “Why do real estate agents put their faces on everything?”, “To remind us how pushy and annoying they are.”
The central mystery is both engaging and cleverly constructed. As Daniel begins to investigate, it is particularly satisfying to see him use his unique way of thinking. Moments such as when he recognises birdsong can never be off key or the notes of a doorbell help bring him alive. This makes him a highly imaginative and compelling protagonist, as the reader is drawn into both the puzzle of the burglaries like a modern day Sherlock Holmes book, as well as Daniel’s personal journey.
The writing style of the book is also strong, and it is generally very well put together and edited. The narration style jumps between the heads of characters, which could be disorientating, but thankfully remains clear and easy to follow, with each of the characters really coming alive through the author’s voice. This shifting viewpoint gave me A Confederacy of Dunces vibes, and helps build a fuller picture of the town and its inhabitants.
Stylistically, the occasional use of italics to portray characters’ thoughts works well. The prose can occasionally feel a little more “tell” than “show”—for example, in descriptive passages such as “Officer Nathaniel ‘Nat’ Gilliam knew Joan Daley…” But this is not a major issue, and does little to detract from the overall readability and enjoyment of the novel.
The book is not without imperfections. The pacing is measured, even leisurely at times. The middle sections, particularly in the Investigation movement, sometimes dilate longer than strictly necessary. And the novel’s deliberate pacing and relatively long length will potentially disappoint readers seeking a more traditionally thrilling experience. Another slight debatable weakness in the novel is the portrayal of the antagonist, Detective Keegan, who can feel slightly cartoonish and over-the-top at points, repeatedly referring to Daniel as “The Freak.”
The novel is a very nice, self-contained story, that quickly gets addictive as the dead bodies start appearing, with a satisfying resolution to its central mystery. Moreover, it ends in a way that clearly leaves room for potential sequels. While this open-endedness is intriguing, I wasn’t a huge fan of the cover, which gives off more of a historical fiction vibe than a contemporary crime novel.
Overall, Small Town Symphony proves that mystery novels don’t have to choose between being entertaining and being intelligent. It’s a crime story that cares more about character than plot twists, that values listening over rushing, and that trusts readers enough to slow down. In a genre often dominated by shocking reveals and breakneck pacing, Richman offers something different.
Final verdict: For fans of authors such as Gillian Flynn, Liane Moriarty, and Harlan Coben, Small Town Symphony offers a compelling blend of suspense and character-driven storytelling. Its engaging mystery and layered portrayal of its characters make it both an entertaining, page-turning and heart-warming read.
You can get your copy of Small Town Symphony here or read for free on Kindle Unlimited!
