Publication of the novel in hardback is scheduled for February 9th, 2014 by Atreus Books.

The release has been timed to coincide with the 50th anniversary of Ludwig Oyster Black Pearl's debut outing in the United States.

Set around the theft of several Zildjian cymbals played by Ringo Starr on The Beatles' first visit to the US, 'Dangerous Illusions' is described as "a novel of murder, theft, betrayal... and drums."

Story highlights

• The object of desire - a Ludwig oyster black pearl Downbeat made famous in February 1964 when its now mythical debut appearance with a certain quartet from Liverpool changed the course of music forever
  
• The theft of the iconic object - The Avedis Zildjian cymbals played during this historic performance were also stolen during the daring heist, as were a number of rare cymbals from the Zildjian family vault, some of them dating back to 17th-century Constantinople
  
• Music, jazz, and percussion - the search for the stolen object leads the reader into the world of drums and the legendary drummers who played them, from Baby Dodds, Chick Webb, and Gene Krupa to Joe Morello and Ringo Starr
  
• A weeklong polyrhythmic journey into New York - the investigation leads to a notorious shop on Music Row just east of Hell's Kitchen, to a Second Empire carriage house filled with percussion instruments originating in distant times and distant places, and ultimately into the vast private showroom of an enigmatic antiques dealer south of Houston in Hell's Hundred Acres
  
• A celebration of drums and the companies that made them - an astonishing array of makes, models, and finishes from the extraordinary drum makers who invented and perfected them.

The novel is already available as an eBook in 190 countries.

About the author
'Dangerous Illusions' is Joseph J. Gabriele's first work of fiction. It's the result of two lifelong passions: writing and music.

As a child, Joseph's love of music was fueled by classical snare and tympani studies with William Gussak who recorded with Louis Armstrong and Bill Haley, among others.

In his teen years, Joseph also studied jazz technique with legendary drummer and teacher Joe Morello of the Dave Brubeck Quartet, before turning down a recording contract with John Hammond at Columbia Records to pursue an even greater passion for literature at Boston University. Nonetheless, he remains an active member of the Percussive Arts Society.