Summit Books acquires Jonathan Biggins’s “Ocean’s 55+”

Simon & Schuster imprint Summit Books Australia has acquired world rights to Ocean’s 55+, a cosy crime novel by actor, writer and comedian Jonathan Biggins.

Described by the publisher as “Ocean’s 11 meets The Thursday Murder Club”, the novel follows Tristan Barclay, an art historian and tour leader reluctantly embarking on his final tour of Europe while secretly planning a “grand gesture” that he hopes will shock the world. When a group of older travellers sign on to help, they find themselves caught up in a high-stakes heist that unfolds across Europe’s great galleries.

“I was inspired to write Ocean’s 55+ by my work as a tour guide, chaperoning groups of active seniors through the theatres and art galleries of North America and the UK,” said Biggins. “It occurred to me they would be the perfect cover for an art heist, as long as they didn’t ask for a discount. None of them are in this book yet all of them are.”

Publishing director Jane Palfreyman said: ‘Having long been entertained by Jonathan’s hilarious work in the Wharf Revue and his moving tribute to Keating, The Gospel According to Paul, I didn’t think it would be possible for him to triumph at writing a novel as well, but Ocean’s 55+ effortlessly becomes one of the reading highlights of this or any other year. Sparkling dialogue, glorious settings and a riveting, laugh-out-loud, twist-filled plot make this novel a delight from start to finish.”

Summit Books plans to publish Ocean’s 55+ on 27 October.

Category: Local news Rights and acquisitions