To Australians, Ned Kelly is a cross between Robin Hood and Jesse James.

Born in the colony of Victoria, of poor Irish descent, he became one of the most famous and feared bushrangers of the late nineteenth century. Debate still rages today over whether he was a hero or a villain (the descendants of those he killed swear he is nothing but a cold-blooded murderer, while supporters still try to have him exonerated of his crimes).

Along with his gang and their suits of homemade armour, he took on the state police force, culminating in a massive shoot out in the small town of Glenrowan. His brother and friends were killed, and Ned was captured and sentenced to hang.

Something about him continues to appeal to Australians - from his iconic armour to famous last words ("Such is life."), the legend of this underdog who took on the establishment has been immortalised in song, book and film.

But all these accounts don't tell the full story.

"Undead Kelly" tells the hidden story - a tale of corruption and violence...and zombies...

Something evil has appeared in the Australian outback - the walking dead, known as Blighters (ie those infected with the Blight), are stalking the dusty bush tracks. Officially, they do not exist, their attacks put down as the work of criminals, natives, or madmen. But despite the crackdown, stories of sightings continue to spread. Where did the Blighters come from?

Australia has a dark history of introduced species getting out of control. Could the dead have originally served the same purpose? Introduced into the vast interior in order to drive the original inhabitants, the Aboriginals, from their land? Who would gain? And now, as the tribes withdraw, and the Blighted begin to appear in greater numbers closer and closer to civilisation, who will stand against them?

Ned Kelly.

Dubbed 'Undead' Kelly by friend and foe alike, Ned wants one thing above all others - to expose the truth of the Blight and bring its corrupt masters to account. Everything is riding on his final trial in Melbourne, where, with the world media watching, he hopes the truth will out.

But his plan hinges on his one ally - a wastrel, a Remittance Man: an upper class Englishman sent to the colonies by his embarrassed family, and paid to stay out of sight. A cynical man, at more risk of being devoured by his own internal demons as of being eaten by the Blighters... Can he find the courage to rise to the occasion, emulate Ned, and become the saviour of the colony?

"Undead Kelly" is my first novel, due out through Severed Press (www.severedpress.com) in October 2013. I had long wanted to write a zombie novel, and wanted it to be uniquely Australian. I soon realised there was no more Australian story than that of Ned Kelly.

As an ex- high school teacher, now working as a school psychologist, I have a love of history and fascination with the human mind. Thus, the story is actually quite historically accurate (apart from the zombies!). I decided to create a fictional main character who could introduce us to Ned’s world, and as I have always liked books with anti-heroes, I thought it would,be interesting to make him pretty flawed. I hope the reader comes to like him anyway, and is rooting for him to become the man he could be.

So, the book is part historical fiction, part psychological thriller, part satire, maybe even part love story - but definitely all zombie novel.

I hope you will enjoy a journey into the black heart of Australia's hidden past.