A serial killer is stalking through Sydney, hell-bent on recreating scenes from the Fabrica, the 16th-century foundation text of modern anatomy. The spate of cold, methodical attacks has the city on edge, but the serial killer may not even be the darkest player in this story.
Desperate for a breakthrough, decorated homicide detective David Murphy draws into the case his art historian sister, Joanna, and Sylvia, his wife. Unravelling the mystery of who is behind the killings pushes each beyond the limits of what they thought possible.
The Tribute is a subversive take on modern masculinity and misogyny told through an irresistible crime narrative. Dark and unpredictable, chilling but sympathetic, it weaves a tapestry of narrative threads towards a mesmerizing climax that will challenge the way you think about everyone you meet.
Meticulously researched, hugely ambitious and superbly crafted, The Tribute is the most outstanding thriller of 2021.
About the Author
John Byron grew up in Sydney where he went to medical school for a time before leaving in the interest of the public safety. He has worked as a barman, a factory hand, a help desk operator and a federal political adviser.
He now lives in Melbourne and works in the university sector. His writing has appeared in The Australian, Meanjin, The Australian Book Review, The Conversation, Time Out and Rip It Up.
The Tribute is his first novel and was shortlisted for the prestigious Victoria Premier’s Literary Award for an Unpublished Manuscript in 2019.
Industry Reviews
‘Begins as a compelling crime novel, then shifts into something even more shocking and wonderful.’
Christian White, author of The Nowhere Child
‘One of the best debuts I’ve read – inventive, layered and brilliantly written. The Tribute is a class act.’
David Whish-Wilson, author of True West
‘A suspenseful and unnerving dissection of masculinity.’
Natasha Stott Despoja, author of On Violence
