Mafisto

About the Book

At the center of an ambush by gang members, a child is born. When the shooting stops, he is an orphan, and a stray bullet has hideously disfigured him. Miraculously saved by ER doctors, the temperamental newborn is tossed from foster home to foster home until finally adopted by a loving and tolerant couple. Soon he’s drawn to the piano. His adoptive parents learn that he is another Mozart, yet emotional damage from neglect in his early years leads him to serious street violence. At the same time, he feels the pull of the concert hall. The tormented youth becomes a loner. Years later, when seeing the girl of his dreams, a virtuoso voice student, he is afraid to show his face to her. This prompts him to compose hauntingly beautiful love songs that he sends to her anonymously, signed only Mafisto. Torn by his desire for the brilliant young singer, the smitten teen vows to change his appearance. But if he can do this, he still must hide his criminal past from her. All he knows is that without her, he will remain a loner, and the world will never experience his musical genius.

About the Author

George Putnam studied piano and music composition in college, taught a master class for piano students at the University of Redlands, and composed a symphony for his master’s thesis. He has written for two feature films (Unlawful Entry and To Kill For), for episodes of NYPD Blue and Deadwood, authored the crime novel The Honey Bubble, and co-authored a historical novel. George lives in Los Angeles.