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; and Getting a Handel on Messiah) and literature (including Quotable Sherlock and Quotable Alice).

His latest book, and first full-length mystery novel, is Hedshot, a murder mystery novel about a veteran journalist whose investigation of an old lover's death leads him to uncover a scandal in a small university town.

His previous 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.