Jerry Leake is the author of ten books of fiction and nine books on rhythm and percussion. His fiction ranges across thrillers, dark fantasy, and literary suspense ? the Jack's Alive trilogy, the Twin Crossing duology, Lethal Injection, The Soul Searcher, Sand and Ceremony ? and often draws on the places and people he knows firsthand. He has also written cartoon and comic collections ? Far Fetched, Dogbreath ? and books for younger readers. He is a Professor of World Percussion at Berklee College of Music and a faculty member at the New England Conservatory, where he has taught for more than thirty years. His percussion texts on North Indian, South Indian, West African, and Afro-Cuban rhythm are used by students and players worldwide. He has studied and performed in Ghana and India, and is a founding member of Natraj and Club d'Elf, leads the world-rock fusion octet Cubist, and has long played with the Agbekor Drum and Dance Society.