HarperCollins snaps up Chris McDonald's The Wrong Man

HarperCollins has snapped up The Wrong Man by Chris McDonald.

Daisy Watt, former fiction commissioning editor, acquired UK & Commonwealth rights from David Headley at DHH. Genevieve Pegg, publisher, HarperNorth will publish the book, which will be released in hardback, e-book and audiobook in June 2026.

The publication will be accompanied by a marketing campaign including specially written music performed by the author in keeping with the novel’s rock-music theme.

"A full-throttle first novel in a new PI series, The Wrong Man introduces former prison officer turned private detective, Ethan Adler," the synopsis says. "Luckiest and unluckiest of men, Adler is mourning his wife and adjusting to sudden newfound wealth as he establishes his Manchester detective agency. But far from the straightforward cases of adultery and disputes he is expecting, his first case is that of a dead rock star. As he delves into the dark side of the city’s music scene, is it really true that only the good die young?"

McDonald said: "It’s a genuine joy to see The Wrong Man find a home at HarperNorth, a team with whom I’m immensely proud to continue my publishing journey. I’ve wanted to write a PI series for years, and I’m hugely grateful to Daisy Watt, Genevieve Pegg, David Headley and everyone at HarperNorth for their belief and support. I can’t wait for readers to walk the shadowy streets of Manchester with Ethan Adler."

Headley said: "From the moment Chris first pitched The Wrong Man, I knew there was something special here. A confident voice, a vivid sense of place and a protagonist who instantly lodges in your mind. Seeing that original pitch grow into such a propulsive, emotionally rich novel has been an absolute joy. I’m incredibly excited to see Ethan Adler make his way into the world with the support of the brilliant team at HarperNorth."

Pegg added: "Chris is a writer whose deep love for the crime greats shows in the incredible bite and edge-of-your-seat power of all his writing. Manchester is a city crying out for an incredible new private detective, and in Ethan Adler and The Wrong Man, I know we’ve very much got the right guy."