The Surgeon's Mate — Alan M. Clark

A story that illuminates the dark corners of creative endeavor in which inspiration, no longer an elusive, spritely muse, turns deadly and begins stalking the artist. In this gritty, poignant novel, the life of an alcoholic artist and author, Aiden, collides headlong with that of a serial murderer. The artist fights a serious brain infection and struggles to hide his addictions, while holding his family together. The wall between reality and imagination comes crashing down when psychopathic Frederick invades Aiden's life, with a horrific lust for violence against young women. The artist's world careens out of control toward pure terror.