Pied Piper of Mars

"Pied Piper of Mars" by Frederic Arnold Kummer is a science fiction tale set on Mars, where a Terrestrial Intelligence officer named Steve Ranson investigates unsettling deaths tied to mind-controlling music. The story navigates themes of control and rebellion as Ranson uncovers a plot orchestrated by a rogue scientist, Elath Thean, who uses powerful melodies to manipulate the emotions of the Martians. This scheme aims to stir up national feelings and topple Earth's control, leading to a conflict where Ranson must confront deadly encounters, including murder and the threat of a full-scale uprising, by outsmarting Thean. The book culminates in a showdown at the Martian Broadcasting Company, where Ranson uses intellect to thwart Thean's plans, highlighting the strength of human resilience against dark manipulation.