Jerry Falade's debut crime novel, "Call Me, I'll Hide the Body," generated significant buzz, leading to a fierce bidding war among fourteen publishers. The manuscript, discovered by agent Marc Gerald, was praised for its quality, prompting Gerald to fly to Dallas to meet Falade, a graduate student at Southern Methodist University.

Macmillan's Minotaur Books imprint ultimately secured the U.S. rights for a two-book deal reportedly worth over $2 million. Harper Collins Publishers acquired the U.K. rights. However, the excitement surrounding the book was abruptly tempered when Falade's agent, Marc Gerald, withdrew his support shortly after the sale, citing concerns over the author's alleged use of artificial intelligence in the writing process.

This development casts a shadow over the promising debut, raising questions about the role of AI in creative writing and its implications for the publishing industry. The future of Falade's two-book deal remains uncertain amidst these developing concerns.