This book is definitely out of the ordinary. To begin with, the story mixes mechanical engineering with country music. As the narrative unwinds, you can not only read the lyrics to a number of country and western songs, you can also follow the links that are provided and listen to them on the Internet.

The plot revolves around Mark, a busy young man working on a Ph.D. in mechanical engineering, developing proposals for the U. S. Air Force, and writing original songs in his spare time. He’s asked to visit a government site and test a rotary machine. So he uses this opportunity to promote his songwriting vocation in Nashville. However, fate steps in. Mark is injured in an automobile accident and left in a comatose state. The officer of the law, who first arrives on the scene, is himself a budding country crooner. He finds Mark’s songs and plans to steal them to further his own dream of stardom. Will the wayward cop get away with theft and plagiarism? Will Mark come out of his coma? Will songwriting be part of either’s future?

In addition to coming up with answers to the above questions, there are also significant female-others who play roles in both Mark and the lawman’s decisions. As is often the case, the women’s involvement proves beneficial to both men. The songs involved in the story run the gamut of classical tears and beers country music. They include lyrics about good dogs, lost jobs and lost loves, divorce, hard luck, and more. A standout is “Time Will Tell,” a ballad performed by an artist that may well bring to mind fond memories of the late, great Patsy Cline.

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