Dead Man's Rock - A Romance (1887) (Hardcover)

Sir Arthur Thomas Quiller-Couch wrote short stories, novels, criticism, and edited anthologies, including the "Oxford Book" series. He was Assistant Editor of the Liberal weekly "The Speaker," and from 1912 until his death was Professor of English at Cambridge University.

Writing under the pen name "Q," Sir Arthur produced a variety of work, including adventure stories, historical fiction, satire, stories of the supernatural, and mysteries.

"Dead Man's Rock" was Q's first published novel. The genesis came from a curious bit of family lore, in which his great grandfather Richard had a key hanging from a beam, with instructions that no one should take it down till he returned. Richard was lost at sea during a war, and the key was never touched. What might it have unlocked? Hence the inspiration for the story. A family in poverty, great wealth to be unlocked by a key, two parties vying for it, and a curse on the treasure the key could unlock.