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.

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.