Larrikin acquires Purcell novel
Larrikin House has acquired John Purcell’s novel The Amateur’s Guide to Killing Bad Guys.
The novel begins on the “worst day” of entrepreneur Matthew Burton’s life. “The deal of a lifetime flops, his own board is trying to sack him and his daughter wants him cancelled,” said the publisher. “But things are about to get much, much worse.”
During a party at the Sydney Opera House, Burton accidentally picks up a thumb drive intended for investigative journalist Tamara Morgan that names those responsible for an apartment block collapse that killed twenty-six residents. “Suddenly, corrupt politicians, drug dealers and hired thugs all want Burton and Tamara silenced, for good.”
Purcell is author of The Lessons and The Girl on the Page (both Fourth Estate) as well as The Secret Lives of Emma series under the name Natasha Walker. He works as head of books – Australia at the The Nile and was previously director of books at Booktopia.
Purcell said, “This a book I wrote to entertain my two younger brothers. We grew up watching crime, action and thriller movies together. We are also big fans of Lee Child. I have read all thirty Jack Reacher novels and I am proud to admit that Lee Child’s writing had a big influence over my writing.
“So, The Amateur’s Guide to Killing Bad Guys is a gripping, fast-paced action thriller with a reluctant hero. And being me, I couldn’t help but set in on the fringes of the book industry.”
Publisher Dani Vee said: “We were blown away by chapter one and knew right then and there we had to sign it!”
Larrikin House plans to release the book on August 2026.
Category: Local news Rights and acquisitions
