Hedshot

David W. Barber is a journalist and musician and the author of more than a dozen books of music (including Accidentals on Purpose; Bach, Beethoven and the Boys; When the Fat Lady Sings; and Getting a Handel on Messiah) and literature (including Quotable Sherlock, Quotable Alice and Atonement and other stories). Formerly a writer and entertainment editor of The Kingston Whig-Standard, editor of Broadcast Week magazine at the Toronto Globe and Mail and the assistant editor of arts and life for Postmedia newspapers, he is currently a freelance writer, editor, musician and composer. As a composer, his works include two symphonies, a jazz mass based on the music of Dave Brubeck, a Requiem, several short choral and chamber works and various vocal-jazz songs and arrangements. He sings with the Toronto Chamber Choir and various other choirs on occasion. In a varied career, among his more interesting jobs have been short stints as a roadie for Pope John Paul II, a publicist for Prince Rainier of Monaco and a backup singer for Avril Lavigne.

In a small town with secrets, a jaded journalist uncoversa scandal some powerful forces would kill to keep hidden.After corporate "restructuring" takes veteran journalist Dugan Heywood's newspaper job, he takes a temp gig as a church musician as a welcome change of pace from his old beat of crime and corruption.When a former lover's sudden death makes him suspect murder but the police don't, Dugan must rely on his old investigative skills to find answers on his own.His digging soon upsets some of the rich and powerful in his staid old university town. Does a scandal that once tore the town apart also lie at the heart of this new mystery? And are those powerful forces willing to commit murder to keep their dark secrets from surfacing again?