Showing Brain Drain by Warren Murphy

Remo Williams is The Destroyer, an ex-cop who should be dead, but instead fights for the secret government law-enforcement organisation CURE. Trained in the esoteric martial art of Sinanju by his aged mentor, Chiun, Remo is America's last line of defence.

Artists, composers and writers are being mutilated and destroyed in the bloodiest murders in police history. Our heroes Remo and Chiun are thrown into the action when CURE's director Dr Harold Smith is nearly killed by a piece of contemporary artwork exploding in a public park. Smith's injuries lead to a wild confrontation with a madman who is convinced he can control creativity and discover the very secrets of creative thought - by collecting brains.

They track the killer to Hollywood, even kick-starting possible new careers for the duo - until an old foe returns to do battle.

Breathlessly action-packed and boasting a winning combination of thrills, humour and mysticism, the Destroyer is one of the bestselling series of all time.