One HEADACHE of a Gig!

THE BRAINPAN CONCERTO by Jurt Newton (2011 Sideshow Press /  123 pp / tp)


A musical maniac is kidnapping those with extrodinary musical talent, removing their skull caps and tapping into their brains to record some of the most original music ever heard by human ears.  With the help of a computer hacker, a young music fan manages to track  the lunatic down, only to become another hostage.


On the case are detectives Saul and Gwen, both with their own jaded pasts, an annoying, sexist boss, and they currently happen to be falling for each other.  Along with the young boy, Saul eventually becomes hostage to the maniac's musical scalpel, leaving no other choice but for Gwen to come to the rescue.


THE BRAINPAN CONCERTO features a nifty idea for the killings and has some truly gruesome moments, and despite the standard police fare, I found Newton's quick novella a fine way to spend an hour or so.