Gossip to the Grave

Murder in swinging London… 

Jenny Clark is a gossip column writer at Chris Creevey on Fleet street who leads an exciting life within the social elite of London.

Mingling with celebrities and the wealthy upper class is all part and parcel in Jenny’s life of cocktail parties and chic events.

However, she’s having trouble getting back on top as she laments the loss of her ex-boyfriend, who has recently left her for another woman.

In an act of catharsis, Jenny invents the character of Simon Sherborne. He seems to be the ideal man; attends all the coolest parties, has all the right ideals, knows all the right people.

He’s perfect in every way, except that he isn’t real…or is he?

Simon soon becomes the talk of the town and everyone who’s anyone is looking to meet him. How long can Jenny keep up this façade?

Luke Henshaw, an annoying, alcoholic colleague of Jenny’s seems to know that Simon is made up. However, when a mysterious man claiming to be Simon Sherborne turns up at a party, Jenny is speechless.

Who is man?

What does he want?

How can he possibly be Simon Sherborne? A man she knows to be made up.

She must find out who he really; what his agenda is and why he is so eager to get to know the rich and famous.

Things are made all the more confusing when Luke Henshaw, the only person who seemed aware of the fictitious nature of Simon, is found dead in his hotel room, with violent head trauma…

Gossip to the Grave is an intense thriller, set in trendy streets of 1960’s London, that puts a brilliant twist on the more classic murder story.

‘Polished, professional and highly inventive’ – Irish Times 

‘Fearsome picture of Bright Young Things of Today’ - The Guardian 

"Murder, conspiracy, secrets...it's got everything!" - Thomas Waugh 

John Burke was born in Rye, Sussex, in 1922 and worked in the publishing industry before becoming an author of novels and short stories. He is best known as the author of the novelisation of the popular musical "Chitty-Chitty-Bang-Bang," but he also wrote the novelisations of dozens of other stage plays, film and TV scripts.