Pick his brains - you know it makes sense.

Well, what would you do? Your mentor and best friend, herald as the 'greatest novelist of our time', suddenly expires, and you find yourself bereft of a cherished companion's wit and wisdom. Your twelve-year stretch of writer's block, too, now seems like a life sentence.

For Martin Peabody, the answer is simple. You remove your dead friend's brain, syphon off his thoughts, and use them as inspiration to revive your career and write a fitting testament to a great man - an autobiopsy, if you like.

This superbly sharp and funny novel shows Booker-winner Bernice Rubens at her best.