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Hotshot
From the internationally bestselling author of Hedshot and Mugshot comes a new Dugan Heywood mystery, HOTSHOT!
A Messiah performance is threatened.
But who may abide such treachery?
Ex-journalist turned church musician Dugan Heywood thought the biggest challenge he’d be facing lately was preparing his choir and that of another nearby church for a combined performance of Handel’s beloved oratorio Messiah. But when an apparent accident fells one of his choristers, Dugan once again finds himself facing a challenge of a much more serious Was it really an accident, or did someone in the staid old university town of Grayston have a reason to harm this particular singer? And if so, who? And why? Once again, Dugan must rely on his old investigative skills to shed light on the darkness of intrigue and treachery.
Praise for Hedshot, the first Dugan Heywood
“Like his hero, David Barber loves a good mystery, and here
he’s written one. A slow burn of red herrings, plot twists and
surprises that will keep you guessing until the end.”– Wilson Coneybeare, author of the dystopian political thriller A Feast of Wolves
ABOUT THE
David W. Barber is a longtime newspaper journalist, musician, composer and the
internationally bestselling author of Bach, Beethoven and the Boys; Getting a Handel
on Messiah; Bach, Beethoven and the Grrrls; Bach, Beethoven for Kids and nearly a
score of other books of humorous classical music history and literature, including
the speculative fiction collection Atonement and other stories. Hotshot is his third
Dugan Heywood mystery novel, following on the heels of Hedshot and Mugshot.
In a varied career, among David’s 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. He learned (though not very successfully) transcendental
meditation from the same maharishi who taught The Beatles.
Learn about his other books at IndentPublishing.com
Read his blog at DavidWBarber.com
Find his music at SheetMusicPlus.com and SheetMusicDirect.com
A Messiah performance is threatened.
But who may abide such treachery?
Ex-journalist turned church musician Dugan Heywood thought the biggest challenge he’d be facing lately was preparing his choir and that of another nearby church for a combined performance of Handel’s beloved oratorio Messiah. But when an apparent accident fells one of his choristers, Dugan once again finds himself facing a challenge of a much more serious Was it really an accident, or did someone in the staid old university town of Grayston have a reason to harm this particular singer? And if so, who? And why? Once again, Dugan must rely on his old investigative skills to shed light on the darkness of intrigue and treachery.
Praise for Hedshot, the first Dugan Heywood
“Like his hero, David Barber loves a good mystery, and here
he’s written one. A slow burn of red herrings, plot twists and
surprises that will keep you guessing until the end.”– Wilson Coneybeare, author of the dystopian political thriller A Feast of Wolves
ABOUT THE
David W. Barber is a longtime newspaper journalist, musician, composer and the
internationally bestselling author of Bach, Beethoven and the Boys; Getting a Handel
on Messiah; Bach, Beethoven and the Grrrls; Bach, Beethoven for Kids and nearly a
score of other books of humorous classical music history and literature, including
the speculative fiction collection Atonement and other stories. Hotshot is his third
Dugan Heywood mystery novel, following on the heels of Hedshot and Mugshot.
In a varied career, among David’s 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. He learned (though not very successfully) transcendental
meditation from the same maharishi who taught The Beatles.
Learn about his other books at IndentPublishing.com
Read his blog at DavidWBarber.com
Find his music at SheetMusicPlus.com and SheetMusicDirect.com
224 pages, Paperback
Published November 2, 2025
2 people want to read
About the author
David W. Barber
38 books26 followersDavid 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.
Learn about his other books at IndentPublishing.com
Learn about his other books at IndentPublishing.com
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Displaying 1 of 1 review
December 10, 2025
As in Hedshot and Mugshot before, Dugan Heywood in Hotshot is a character you can warm to, very relatable. And I liked those little asides about the origins of words such as "conspirator" and "helicopter". Who knew? Plus, I came away with a music education and a deeper appreciation for what goes into something like Handel's Messiah.
It was a good story. Had me wondering who did it.
It was a good story. Had me wondering who did it.
Displaying 1 of 1 review