We welcomed two new clients to the agency this week. 

Rebecca Griffiths joins Broo Doherty's list, and Sarah Jackson will be represented by Harry Illingworth.

Rebecca grew up in mid-Wales and went on to gain a first class honours degree in English literature. After a successful business career in London, Dublin and Scotland, she returned to rural mid-Wales where she now lives with her husband, a prolific artist, four vampiric cats and pet sheep the size of sofas. 

Sarah is an ecologist specialising in botany and has a keen human-wildlife coexistence, conservation, climate change and microplastics pollution. Her job has taken her all around the UK, and provides plenty of inspiration for her wiring. Before completing a Masters in Conservation Ecology at Oxford Brookes University, Sarah studied Psychology and Criminology at Cardiff University.

Femi Kayode took part in an interview for University of East Anglia's blog and you can catch up with it here. 

In 2018, Femi - a previous creative writing student of UAE - won the Little, Brown award for his debut crime fiction novel Lightseekers, which was subsequently snapped up for publication by Bloomsbury's Raven imprint. 

The book is out in February 2021 and is the first in the Philip Taiwo series. 

Three young students are brutally murdered in a Nigerian university town, their killings - and their killers - caught on social media. The world knows who murdered them; what no one knows is why.

Also published last week was L. C. Tyler's new John Grey mystery, Death of a Shipbuilder. This is the sixth in the series, and true to form, it is fabulously gritty and a fantastic addition to the series. 

It has already picked up a brilliant review from Classic Mystery blog:

"What is ultimately chilling about the whole thing though is that while nothing in the plot is so odd that it couldn’t have happened, as per the author’s afterword, almost all of it actually did. Len has used these events to produce another outstanding historical tale. This series of historical crime tales is definitely one that should be on your must-read list."

​You can read the whole review here.

Carys Jones' new psychological thriller, The List, is just over a month away from its paperback publication and we were delighted over the weekend to see this brilliant pre-pub quote from fellow author Lesley Kara:

"I can't put it down ... addictive reading."

Five names on a list. The first two are dead. The third is yours. Pre-order your copy here.

Stuart Turton's The Devil and the Dark Water is among the seven books that will be featured on the new BBC2 book club programme "Between the Covers", hosted by Sara Cox.

The show will launch on Friday 9th October and will run as seven 30-minute episodes. Four celebrity guests—identities still to be unveiled—will join Cox each week to discuss the chosen book of the week, with an introduction via a recorded clip featuring an interview with the author.

All the featured books will be stickered and available in bookshops, libraries and online with viewers encouraged to join in the discussion using #betweenthecovers.


​Taken from The Bookseller article | Benedicte Page

Jo Thomas' gorgeous books The Olive Branch and Escape to the French Farmhouse have both been sold to Polaris in Sweden. 

The Olive Branch was published in 2015 by Headline, and Escape to the French Farmhouse was released by Transworld, last month in paperback. 

These brilliant tiles are included in September's Kindle Monthly Deal, for a fraction of their usual price!

Sara MacDonald's The Hour Before Dawn (99p)

Anita Frank's haunting and gothic debut, The Lost Ones (£1.99)

To take advantage of either of these brilliant deals, simply click on the title above.

Lightseekers, the highly-anticipated debut novel from Femi Kayode, has been sold to Bazar Kustannus Oy in Finland.

This will make it the eighth territory the book has sold in pre-publication. 

Lightseekers will be published in February 2021 by Bloomsbury Raven.

Also published last week was Cut Short, the eBook of three brand new short stories by M. W. Craven, in the Washington Poe series. 

The Killing Field, Why Don't Sheep Shrink? and Dead Man's Fingers​ are available now for only £1.99, sent direct to your eReader.

The eBook for Jules Wake's new book, The Saturday Morning Park Run, was released over the weekend, and we can't think of a better way to have spent the Bank Holiday (reading, not going for a run - what are we, crazy?). 

You can download your copy here. 

The US cover for Ragnar Jónasson's forthcoming book, The Girl Who Died, was revealed last week. 

We hope to show you the UK cover in October but in the meantime, allow us to tell you more about this highly-anticipated standalone, from the author of both the Dark, and Hidden, Iceland series:

​Una is struggling to deal with her father's sudden, tragic suicide. She spends her nights drinking alone in Reykjavik, stricken with thoughts that she might one day follow in his footsteps.

So when she sees an advert seeking a teacher for two girls in the tiny village of Skálar - population of ten - on the storm-battered north coast of the island, she sees it as a chance to escape.
​
But once she arrives, Una quickly realises nothing in city life has prepared her for this. The villagers are unfriendly. The weather is bleak. And, from the creaky attic bedroom of the old house where she's living, she's convinced she hears the ghostly sound of singing.
​
Una worries that she's losing her mind. And then, just before Christmas, there's a murder...

In more deal news, Tania Crosse's series set in Dartmoor, has been sold to Joffe Books, in UK & Commonwealth, and will be re-released in audio & large print. 

The brand new DI Devlin series, from Brian McGilloway has had its cover revealed, as well as the title. Blood Ties will be released in March 2021 from Constable & Robinson. 

How can a dead woman avenge herself on her killer twelve years after her murder? This is the puzzle facing Ben Devlin in his latest case.

He is called to the scene of a murder - a man has been stabbed to death in his rented room and when his identity is discovered Devlin feels a ghost walk over his grave as he knows the name Brooklyn Harris well. As a teenager, Harris beat his then-girlfriend Hannah Row to death, and then spent twelve years in prison for the murder.

As Devlin investigates the dead man's movements since his release it becomes apparent Harris has been grooming teenage girls online and then arranging to meet them. But his activities have been discovered by others, notably a vigilante, who goes straight to the top of Devlin's list of suspects... until he uncovers that Harris was killed on the anniversary of Hannah's death - just too big a coincidence in Devlin's books. So Hannah's family join the ever-growing list of suspects being interviewed by his team. And then forensics contact Devlin with the astounding news that blood found on Harris's body is a perfect match to that of Hannah Row's.

Yet how can this be; the girl was murdered many years ago - and Devlin doesn't believe in ghosts.

Finally, we were thrilled to see that Jo Thomas' Finding Love at the Christmas Market has been hand-picked by the Zoella Book Club as their forthcoming December 2020 read!

The book is released in eBook on 24th September, and paperback on 29th October. The festive season, with all the warm fuzzies it brings, cannot arrive soon enough and we just know that Jo's new book will deliver in multiple stockings' worth!

Congratulations to clients Andrew Swanston, Paul Fraser Collard and Anna Jacobs, all of whom saw the publication of their new books this week. 

Chaos by A.D. Swanston, is the second in his Dr Christopher Radcliff series. ​With mob violence commonplace, and a whispered word being all that is needed to burn a woman for witchcraft, it is only a matter of time before all erupts... in Chaos.

Paul Fraser Collard's Jack Lark series has seen its hero cross the world, from the American Civil War, the inky deserts of Persia and now, in the series' ninth novel, Fugitive, the vast tablelands of Abyssinia...

The trademark warmth and humour we have come to know and love from Anna Jacobs is all to present in her new paperback, Finding Cassie, which is the second in the Penny Lake series. This is a proper 'curl up' book!

While we're on the subject of the book-writing machine that is Anna Jacobs, we're delighted to be showing you the cover for the next in her Penny Lake series, Marrying Simone.

In Australia Simone has been widowed for 4 years and is ready to make a more interesting life. Her friends are driving her mad introducing her to eligible men; her busy daughters are just the opposite, wanting her available for baby-sitting. When she is offered a house swap with a couple in the UK she takes it, not without some trepidation.
In the UK, Russ has just taken possession of his new house and wants only peace and quiet after a few months of rehab following a serious injury. Can these two help one another avoid meddling friends and relatives, and build new lives?

Published in October 2020 by Allison & Busby.

Resurgence magazine reviewed Stephen Moss' latest book, The Accidental Countryside over the weekend:

"The book is as detailed as it is fascinating... the sum of Moss' book is even greater than its parts. His perspective offers not only an important history, but also a potentially brighter future."

The Devil and the Dark Water, the highly-anticipated book from Stuart Turton is a NetGalley Book of the Month and has also been named as one of Goodreads' 'Big Books of Fall'.

In addition, Stuart was also interviewed by Publishers Weekly, and you can read the full interview here.

Finally, we're wishing our Abi Elphinstone a massive congratulations on being shortlisted for the Teach Primary Award for her children's book, The Snow Dragon (illustrated by Fiona Woodcock).

The book is in the Key Stage 1 category, and the Awards themselves celebrate books that provide learning both in the classroom, and beyond. The judges for the Award are Dame Esther Rantzen, Lizzie Jones of the National Literary Trust, children's authors Lisa Thompson and Emily Gravett and actor, musician, comedian and author, Adrian Edmonson.

The winners will be announced in October's issues of Teach Reading & Writing magazine and Teach Primary​ magazine. To read more about the Awards, click here.

The Heatseekers Chart Gods were smiling down upon the DHH clients this week, and we were so happy to see not, one but FOUR of our authors included:

• Escape to the French Farmhouse by Jo Thomas (1)
• The Space Between Worlds by Micaiah Johnson (4)
  
• A Perfect Cornish Escape by Phillipa Ashley (9)
  
• The Storm by Amanda Jennings (20)
  

Congratulations, all!

A Perfect Cornish Escape also stormed into the Kindle Top 100 this week!

Micaiah Johnson's SFF debut The Space Between Worlds went in at no.3 in the Sunday Times bestseller list in its first week on sale. 

An incredible achievement!

Amanda Jennings has written a short story for Hello magazine.

As part of Hello's series of having acclaimed authors write for their readers during lockdown, and written with Amanda's trademark pathos and emotion, Dinner at Luigi's is one not to be missed.

This week, we welcomed a new author to the DHH stable. 

Holly Friend joined Hannah Sheppard's list, and is a trend forecaster, as well as an author. ​She is a futurist at The Future Laboratory, where her work focuses on Generation Z, brand storytelling, and online and offline consumer behaviour.
 
As well as consulting and presenting for some of the world’s leading brands, she has been quoted as an expert on meme culture for the Guardian, dating apps for Dazed and positive singledom for The Times. Hailing from Derbyshire, she now lives in East London, where she harvests inspiration for her writing.
 
She is currently working on her first novel.

Another brilliant endorsement has come through for Georgia Kaufmann's forthcoming 2021 debut, The Dressmaker of Paris from Tammy Cohen, calling it "stonking" then going on to say "​If we focus on the books & ignore the rest, the future looks banging." Needless to say, we heartily concur!

Want to know more about this glorious book?

- -

​I need to tell you a story, ma chère. My story.

Rosa Kusstatscher has built a global fashion empire upon her ability to find the perfect outfit for any occasion. But tonight, as she prepares for the most important meeting of her life, her usual certainty eludes her.

What brought her to this moment? As she struggles to select her dress and choose the right shade of lipstick, Rosa begins to tell her incredible story. The story of a poor country girl from a village high in the mountains of Italy. Of Nazi occupation and fleeing in the night. Of hope and heartbreak in Switzerland; glamour and love in Paris. Of ambition and devastation in Rio de Janeiro; success and self-discovery in New York.

A life spent running, she sees now. But she will run no longer.

- -

You can pre-order your copy here.

Finally, we were delighted to see that Anita Frank's debut The Lost Ones has been longlisted for the Historical Writers' Association Debut Crown 2020. 

The HWAs celebrate both non-fiction and fiction, that span millennia and continents, ranging from original historical research to love stories, thrillers, gothic chillers and social critique.

The shortlist will be announced on 7th October 2020.

Congratulations to Anita Frank, whose debut The Lost Ones has been longlisted for the Historical Writers' Association Debut Crown 2020. 

An emotional and gothic historical mystery, The Lost Ones was published by HQ in October 2019 to great acclaim and subsequently chosen as a Sunday Times pick for their October round-up; a MyWeekly Best Book of 2019; a November pick for Woman & Home's Book Club and was also shortlisted for the Goldsboro Book Glass Bell Award.

The paperback for Jo Thomas' latest book, Escape to the French Farmhouse was published this week and to celebrate, Jo was kept a busy lady!

First up, the book went straight in to Sainsburys, Tesco and Morrisons stores, as well as Asda stores as part of their Tickled Pink range, supporting the work of breast cancer charities. If you're in your local supermarket and spot the book, why not snap a photo and tweet it to Jo (@jo_thomas01)?

CultureFly selected the book as one of their Top Ten Books for August. You can view the entire list here.

Jo has also written a piece for Female First on the important of food and eating together - two staples that are prevalent in Jo's warm and sunny books. You can read the article here. 

Finally, MyWeekly (who also chose Escape to the French Farmhouse as one of their 3 Sizzling Romance Reads) caught up with Jo in a fun Q&A where she talks about her love of food and travelling - plus catch a sneak peek of what you can expect from Jo's next novel, Finding Love at the Christmas Market.

Another piece of wonderful news for The Storm, as well as Brian McGilloway's The Last Crossing, Eve Smith's The Waiting Rooms and M.W. Craven's The Curator - all four have been longlisted for the Guardian's Not the Booker Prize 2020. 

Voting to determine the shortlist is open now and you can cast your votes here (make sure to read the instructions carefully!).

Micaiah Johnson's debut SFF novel The Space Between Worlds was published this week (Hodder Scape). 

This is a superbly clever book set across multiple dimensions, and takes a deep, speculative look at our place in society, and the privilege that comes with it. ​Get your copy here.

Also published this week was Una-Mary Parker's Granville trilogy (eBook), recently acquired by Canelo, and given brand new covers. 

Dramatic and glamorous, you'll want to lose yourself in the tumultuous lives of the Granville sisters, Juliet and Rosie. The Granville Sisters, The Granville Affair and The Granville Legacy are available to download now. 

The first in G.S. Locke's new series, Neon, has garnered a brilliant review from CrimeTime and we're pleased as punch!

"The uncommon combination of cop and hit woman works well and the dynamic between the two proves fascinating with Iris showing wonderfully amoral Lisbeth Salander and Villanelle touches alongside a meticulous investigative process full of twists and fast running action. A definite page-turner with a particular poignant ending, this manages to give a tired sub-genre some new life (and crimes...)." 

​You can read the full review here.

Israeli rights to Eva Björg Ægisdóttir's debut novel The Creak on the Stairs have been sold to Lesa Press. This makes the fourth territory the book has been sold in since its publication in March this year. 

A cracking Icelandic noir crime novel that will have you turning the pages well into the night.

Wishing our clients HUGE congratulations on being longlisted for the Guardian's Not the Booker Prize 2020. 

In amongst the 210-strong list are:

The Curator by M.W. Craven (Constable & Robinson, June 2020)

The Storm by Amanda Jennings (HQ, July 2020)

The Last Crossing by Brian McGilloway (Dome Press, April 2020)

The Waiting Rooms by Eve Smith (Orenda Books, July 2020)

Voting is now open to determine the shortlist, and you can cast yours here.

To celebrate the publication of her June title, A Perfect Cornish Escape, Phillipa Ashley spoke to the Dundee Courier about the dramatic landscapes where she traditionally likes to set her books. 

The book also celebrated its second week running at No.1 on the Heatseekers chart - congratulations, Phillipa!

Amanda Jennings' The Storm is whipping up a... well, storm!

Landing straight in at no.19 on the Heatseekers chart, it also picked up a fantastic review in this week's heat magazine:

"This deftly tackles the the issues surrounding coercive control in a way that feels both authentic and surprising, while the twists and turns just keep on coming." 

Perfect for this beautiful weather we've been having, Kate Mallinder's Summer of No Regrets only £1.99 as part of Kobo's Summer Sale, running 1st - 15th August.

Her second book Asking For A Friend is also featured in the last issue of Shout magazine as one of their Shout Picks. 

The latest in Joanna Toye's Shop Girls series, Heartache for the Shop Girls is only 99p as part of the Kindle August Monthly Deal.

Erin Green's New Beginnings at Rose Cottage is also rocking an eBook deal, this time in the Kindle August Monthly Deal. 

Erin was also interviewed by blogger Kim Nash over on Facebook about her writing journey, and what she likes to get up to in her spare time. Click this link to see more.

Over on BBC Radio 4 this week, Jennifer Lucy Allan presented a "lyrical eulogy to foghorns". 

​You can catch up here.

While the eBook for Carys Jones' The List was released earlier in July, the paperback is due out in October and we cannot wait for this nail-biting psychological thriller to hit shelves. Author Lisa Hall has dubbed it "Brilliant... I couldn't put it down."

And Alison Bruce's forthcoming The Moment Before Impact has picked up this brilliant quote from Elly Griffiths:

"A powerful and absorbing story that stayed with me long after I’d finished reading. A writer at the top of her game."

Finally, Georgia Kaufmann's hotly-anticipated debut The Dressmaker of Paris (Hodder, January 2021) has been given a couple of brilliant endorsements in the last week:

"​The Dressmaker of Paris by Georgia Kaufmann is a delicious book: elegantly structured, beautifully written and with a fascinating protagonist. I was completely absorbed in Rosa’s story and rooting for her throughout her long journey from teenage victim to world famous businesswoman. In The Dressmaker of Paris, Georgia Kaufmann has created a beautiful and compelling novel that had me hooked until the very last page. And that ending: wow!"
Gill Thompson

"Involving, immersive and unputdownable, I raced through it!"
Jill Mansell

Stay tuned for more news on this very exciting release, soon!