"It was my own fault, of course. I realized that when it was too
late. "
Crime writer Iain Carter has recently married and is struggling to make
a decent living as an author. His brother-in-law is a likable but
slightly indiscreet constable, and Iain decides to use this inside
knowledge to write a satirical series featuring a pompous dictatorial
police superintendent. To protect his identity, Iain creates an
elaborately designed pseudonym, 'John Ky Lowell', that can't be traced
back to him. When the first book by Lowell, The Undetective, proves to
be a huge success, Iain finds he must take increasingly convoluted steps
to protect his secret from the press, the police and the taxman. But
the real trouble begins when a local bookmaker is killed, and Iain finds
his mysterious alter-ego is the prime suspect.