Book excerpt: Alistair Collins never wanted to follow in the footsteps of his father, something that greatly disappointed the elder Major Collins. A talented musician like his mother, Alistair looked forward to a successful career in music. But when tragedy struck at home, grief mixed with guilt and despair changed the course of the musicians life and propelled him into the army and to a war that gave rise to a man he no longer knew. His struggle to regain his career and sanity in the aftermath of an unfortunate accident in the Gulf War and his constant battle with post-traumatic stress disorder added to the agony of his life. Forced to live in silence, his life had no meaning until his accidental encounter with the young talented musician Yvee Benton. Poignant and powerful, The Mutes Masquerade is an amazing insight into the results of PTSD and the unique effect of music and what it means to find tranquility in the midst of despair, contentment through a game of charade, and an everlasting hunger for lifes unending song.