Buried Above Ground

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.

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 realizes 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.