Echo Publishing acquires Ayliffe’s crime standalone

Echo Publishing has acquired world rights to Dark Desert Road by Tim Ayliffe, via Jeanne Ryckmans at Key People Literary Management.

According to the publisher, Dark Desert Road is Ayliffe’s first standalone crime novel. The story follows twin sisters – Kit, a police officer, and Billie, who lives a life of crime.

‘The women haven’t spoken in years, when Billie leaves a desperate message asking her sister for help before disappearing in the dustbowl towns of the New South Wales Riverina where a group of violent extremists have set up camp and gone into business with a ruthless bikie gang,’ said Ayliffe. ‘Dark Desert Road is a story about love, betrayal, and how the things that often bind us together are also those which can tear us apart.’

Ayliffe is a journalist and the author of five thrillers with Simon & Schuster Australia (The Wrong Man, Killer Traitor Spy). His work has been shortlisted in the 2024 Danger Prize and the 2024 Ned Kelly Awards.

Juliet Roger, Echo Publishing’s managing director, said: ‘Fast-paced and topical, this manuscript had us on the edge of our seats until the very last page. Readers old and new are going to love this book as much as we do.’

Echo Publishing plans to release Dark Desert Road in February 2026.

Category: Local news Rights and acquisitions