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Judith Krummeck is a writer, broadcaster, and immigrant. Since immigrating to the United States from South Africa in the late 1990s, she has been the evening drive-time host of Maryland's classical music station, WBJC. She holds an MFA in Creative Writing & Publishing Arts, and she is the author of three books. Her debut novel, The Deceived Ones, was published in spring 2024. Her biographical memoir, Old New Worlds, was a finalist in the 2020 Next Generation Indie Book Awards and the 2020 National Indie Excellence Awards. Her first book, Beyond the Baobab, is a memoir in essays about her immigrant experience. Her screenplay, Philida, based on the novel of the same name by André Brink, is in development in South Africa.
Reviewed by K.C. Finn for Readers' Favorite
The Deceived Ones is a work of fiction in the literary and interpersonal drama genres. Penned by author Judith Krummeck, the plot introduces readers to Vira, a Ukrainian refugee displaced by the Russian invasion, who finds herself in the U.S. with her viola da gamba. After a traumatic attack, she assumes her twin brother Sevastyan's identity to stay safe. Orson, a composer struggling with a creative block, discovers Vira's musical talent and is inspired. He sends ‘Sevastyan’ to persuade his muse, Isabella, to perform in his opera. Vira's deception leads to a series of comical misunderstandings and a complicated love quadrangle, which escalates when the real Sevastyan arrives, searching for Vira.
Author Judith Krummeck has crafted an engaging and multifaceted novel that puts classic themes of mistaken identity into an engaging modern context, but keeps all the delight of the original Shakespearean themes. The author's real talent for humor is woven very sensitively into a drama filled with displacement and the frantic search for identity, offering a layered and captivating read that evokes all sorts of emotions. Vira’s courageous yet desperate act of assuming her brother's identity highlighted the vulnerability and resilience of refugees, making her a deeply sympathetic character who is also flawed and rather amusing when she gets herself into different difficult situations. The musical backdrop added a rich, artistic layer to the narrative, with Orson’s struggle and subsequent inspiration from Vira’s talent illustrating the transformative power of art. I adored the descriptions and atmosphere of the work, offering romantic overtones and matching the emotional mood of each scene perfectly to the action taking place. The evolving relationships and the tangled love quadrangle kept me intrigued and the pacing moved well to keep us heading for the next twist or sudden change of heart, wondering how the characters would untangle their lives to find happiness. Overall, The Deceived Ones is a beautifully crafted story that blends humor, music, and romance, and I would certainly recommend it.
