Buried Above Ground

A FORGOTTEN CRIME AUTHOR. FOUR INTERESTED PARTIES. ONE DEADLY PLOT.The LibrarianIt's been decades since mystery writer Duncan Torrens was last published. So why is a blogger turning up asking questions about the rights to his books? The ReaderThat librarian Roly is a bit odd. Still, if I can get into Duncan's home - and his mysterious garden shed - I know I'll find what I'm looking for . . .The PublisherI just need that blogger to work out who holds the rights to Duncan's backlist. Then I can acquire them before his old publishing house realizes they've missed a trick!The EditorIf someone is sniffing round Duncan's books, there must be money involved. I just need to find out what's happened to the rights before they do . . .The WriterAfter twenty years, will the sudden interest in this author's forgotten mysteries reveal a dark - and deadly - twist?"Ripley's best book: a wickedly funny sendup of the clichés behind all those classic mysteries and their successors"Kirkus Reviews Starred Review"Five unreliable narrators and Ripley's trademark wit ensure the reader will not look at classic crime in quite the same way again"The FInancial Times"Catnip for Anthony Horowitz fans"Publishers Weekly An original spin on the crime novel in which the race to gain the rights to an author’s backlist proves to be more head-scratching – and deadly! – than the plots in his books. "Another absolutely brilliant book from Ripley" - Booklist Starred Review The Librarian It’s been two decades since mystery writer Duncan Torrens was last published. I should know, I was his editor. So why a blogger would turn up asking questions about the rights to his books is beyond me . . . The Reader That librarian Roly is a bit odd. You’d think he’d be happy with my blog’s research into a largely forgotten author, but he’s . . . resistant. If I can get into Duncan’s home – and his mysterious garden shed – I know I’ll find what I’m looking for . . . The Publisher Torrens’ books are crying out for a revival. I just need that blogger, Jacon, to work out who holds the rights to his backlist. Then I can acquire them before Duncan’s old publishing house realises they’ve missed a trick! The Editor I never worked directly with Duncan before he died, but if someone is sniffing round, there must be money involved. I just need to find out what’s happened to the rights before they do . . . The Writer After twenty years, will the sudden interest in this author’s forgotten mysteries reveal a dark – and deadly – twist? Told from the point of view of five unreliable narrators, none of whom can be trusted – The Librarian, The Reader, The Publisher, The Editor and The Writer – this amusing and darkly intriguing novel is a refreshingly fun, subversive take on the crime fiction genre.