Headline to publish David Goodman's second espionage thriller

Headline is set to publish 2025 McDermid Debut Award winner David Goodman’s second espionage thriller.

Editorial director Toby Jones acquired world English-language rights to Solitary Agents from Harry Illingworth. Goodman’s debut, A Reluctant Spy, was also recently shortlisted for The Bloody Scotland Debut Prize.

The new book follows Jamie Tulloch and Sam Li, two people who never intended to be spies. Jamie, a former exec at a tech company, found himself caught up in a mission and discovered a taste for the secret world while Sam, a burnt-out corporate lawyer, was unexpectedly talent spotted by MI5.

The synopsis continues: "When both are plunged into covert training, they find themselves pitted against each other for their final evaluation, codenamed Exercise Red Poacher. Every year, MI6 trainees must evade capture, infiltrate sensitive sites and report back with the right intel, while their peers at MI5 try to stop them. But things take a sinister turn when they witness the apparent murder of one of their fellow recruits. Is it all part of the exercise? Or is someone trying to weaponise this game of spies into something far more deadly?"

Jones said: "David’s thrillingly inventive debut has received much-deserved praise for its propulsive, ingenious writing. This equally original new novel – another tense, tightrope walk of a book – will again plunge readers into his shadowy world of deceit and espionage."

Goodman said: "I’m delighted to be working with Toby and the team at Headline for another dive into the world of the Legends Programme, with both familiar characters and new ones. The success of the first book has been a dream come true and I can’t wait for readers to find out what happens next for Jamie Tulloch and the Legends team."

Illingworth said: "It’s been great to see the reaction to A Reluctant Spy, with the McDermid Award win being the icing on the cake. I’ve no doubt Solitary Agents will be met with the same enthusiasm, and will further cement Dave’s reputation as one of the most exciting up-and-coming espionage writers working today."