David W. Barber

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; Getting a Handel on Messiah; and Bach, Beethoven for Kids) and literature (including Quotable Sherlock and Quotable Alice).

He's now written four murder mystery novels -- Hedshot (2023), Mugshot (2024), Hotshot (2025) and Bigshot (2026) -- featuring ex-journalist turned church musician Dugan Heywood, who uses his honed investigative skills to solve puzzles in the (fictional) staid university town of Grayston.

His collection Atonement and other stories gathers 13 short stories (a "Barber's dozen") of speculative fiction, with elements of politics, history, theology, sci-fi and more (including five original Sherlock Holmes stories), .

Formerly entertainment editor of The Kingston Whig-Standard, editor of Broadcast Week magazine at the Toronto Globe and Mail and assistant editor of arts and life for Postmedia newspapers, he’s 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 regularly with the Toronto Chamber Choir and with 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.