Buried Above Ground
Buried Above Ground by Mike Ripley is a unique crime novel published by Severn House on September 2, 2025. This edition spans 272 pages and is presented in English. The story revolves around the mysterious circumstances surrounding the rights to the backlist of a long-forgotten author, Duncan Torrens, who has not been published in two decades. As various characters, including a librarian, a blogger, and a publisher, delve into the author’s past, they uncover a web of intrigue that proves to be more complex and dangerous than anticipated.
Readers will encounter a narrative told from the perspectives of five unreliable narrators: The Librarian, The Reader, The Publisher, The Editor, and The Writer. Each character brings their own motivations and secrets to the table, creating a layered exploration of ambition and deception within the literary world. The book combines elements of mystery, thriller, and cozy crime fiction, offering a fresh take on the genre while engaging with themes of authorship and the quest for literary revival.
Official synopsis Publisher
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 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.
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