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The Closer I Get on Not the Booker Longlist

7/30/2019

Congratulations to Paul Burston, whose The Closer I Get has been longlisted for the Not the Booker Prize.

The prize is voted for by the public, and if you fancy casting your vote, it really is very simple:

Go to the link here
Choose two books from the longlist, from two different publishers (one of them being The Closer I Get, obviously...)
In the comments section, write "Vote" along with your two choices
A review for at least one of the books must be included

And that's it! Simples!

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DHH News Roundup 20th - 26th July 2019

7/29/2019

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Congratulations to DHH clients Amanda Jennings, Paul Fraser Collard and Sara MacDonald, all of whom saw books published last week:

The paperback of The Cliff House by Amanda Jennings
The next in the Jack Lark series, The Lost Outlaw, by Paul Fraser Collard
The paperback of In A Kingdom By the Sea by Sara MacDonal

We received the wonderful news that In A Kingdom By the Sea is now available in select Sainsburys stores.

The Lancashire Evening Post put out an excellent review for The Cliff House:

“With a finale as jaw-dropping and devastating as one would expect from this accomplished writer, The Cliff House is a simply unmissable read.”

To read the entire review, click here.

A very exciting cover reveal took place last week for R.C. Bridgestock’s next DI Jack Dylan thriller: Snow Kills.

When hairdresser Kayleigh Harwood is reported missing by her mother in the worst blizzards Harrowfield has experienced in years, D.I. Jack Dylan and his team are called in. Kayleigh’s car is found abandoned with her mobile phone inside, but there is no sign of her. At the edge of the local quarry on the desolate Yorkshire moors, items of clothing are found. They are identified as belonging to the hairdresser, and an intense police search of the area begins.

The investigation turns to a loner living close to where Kayleigh’s car was discovered, and it soon becomes apparent to the investigators that the loner is hiding a bizarre secret.

To Dylan’s disbelief Divisional Commander Hugo-Watkins assumes that skeletal remains found in a lay-by are connected to the young woman’s disappearance, and without seeking Dylan’s advice, calls out the entire Major Incident Team. Refusing to be distracted, Dylan and his team continue to work round the clock in the hope of finding Kayleigh alive.

Mean while Dylan’s wife, Jen, is distracted and distant. Unbeknown to him and her ex fiancé is in their midst, and stalking her.

Snow Kills will be out on 3rd October in eBook and paperback and you can pre-order the former here.

Last week was an excellent week for some of our clients, who were shortlisted for various awards:

. What Was Lost by Jean Levy was shortlisted for the Capital Crime / Amazon Publishing Independent Voice Award

. The Seven Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle by Stuart Turton was shortlisted for the Capital Crime / Amazon Publishing Best Audiobook Award

. The Puppet Show by M.W. Craven was shortlisted for both the Capital Crime / Amazon Publishing Best Crime Novel of the Year Award and the CWA Gold Dagger Award

. The Island by Ragnar Jonasson was shortlisted for the Capital Crime / Amazon Publishing Best Mystery Award

Congratulations, all!

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Plethora Of Shortlistings For DHH Clients

7/25/2019

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Is there such a thing as too many shortlist nominations? Of course not!

We are delighted at the various awards our clients have been shortlisted for today:

The Puppet Show by M.W. Craven has been shortlisted for both the Capital Crime / Amazon Publishing Readers' Awards for Best Crime Novel of the Year and the CWA Gold Dagger Award
What Was Lost by Jean Levy has been shortlisted for the Capital Crime / Amazon Publishing Readers' Awards Independent Voice Award
The Seven Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle by Stuart Turton, narrated by Jot Davies, has been shortlisted for the Capital Crime / Amazon Publishing Readers' Awards Audiobook Award
The Island by Ragnar Jónasson has been shortlisted for the Capital Crime Best Mystery Award

Congratulations to our brilliant clients!

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Cover Revealed For R.C. Bridgestock's Snow Kills

7/24/2019

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The cover for Snow Kills, the next book in the popular DI Jack Dylan series by R.C. Bridgestock has been revealed and we love it.

The Dome Press have acquired the rights back in this fourth instalment and will be re-publishing a revised edition, complete with this gorgeous cover, on 3rd October 2019, in both eBook and paperback format.

Snow Kills joins Deadly Focus, Consequences, White Lilies and a new, never-before-published prequel to the series, Poetic Justice.

To read more about the book, click here.

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DHH News Roundup 13th - 19th July 2019

7/22/2019

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BBC Arts has announced new Arena commissions across BBC Two and BBC Four. These new commissions will add to the portfolio of the award-winning arts strand and feature acclaimed directors and programme makers with unprecedented access to the best arts stories from around the world. One of these is Everything Is Connected - George Eliot’s Life which will see contemporary artist Gillian Wearing celebrate Eliot’s legacy. Together with writers, actors and local people from Nuneaton, Coventry and London, they read extracts from Eliot’s novels, letters and the first-hand accounts of those who knew her. Client Eve Seymour is involved in the documentary and we are so very excited for it to hit our screens.

What Was Lost, the psychological thriller from Jean Levy, is included in Kobo’s Black Summer ‘Psych Thrillers’ Sale for only £1.99. The sale ends on 24th July, so make sure you download your copy before you whizz off on your summer holiday.

Julie Caplin’s The Secret Cove In Croatia was published in eBook last week and is the fifth book in her Romantic Escapes series - perfect for that sun lounger.

When no-nonsense, down-to-earth Maddie Wilcox is offered the chance to work on a luxury yacht for the summer, she can’t say no. Yes, she’ll be waiting on the posh guests… But island-hopping around the Adriatic sea will more than make up for it - especially when Nick, her best friend Nina’s brother, is one of them.

Sparks fly when they meet on board and Maddie can’t believe self-entitled Nick is really related to Nina. But in a secret, picture-perfect cove, away from the real world, Maddie and Nick discover they might have more in common than they realise…

Download your copy here:
Kobo: bit.ly/2M2171Z
Kindle: amzn.to/2O4OntR

The cover for Amy Beashel’s debut YA novel, The Sky Is Mine, was revealed last week. More news about this moving and powerful debut is to come, but Rock the Boat will publish in February 2020… Watch this space!

Also revealed last week was the cover for Rocco and the Echoes of War. The Dome Press have acquired the rights for Adrian Magson’s entire backlist for his ‘Rocco’ series.

France, 1963. It’s a time of great change in France, not least for Inspector Lucas Rocco. As part of a nationwide ‘initiative’ to broaden police operations, he finds himself moved from the Paris metropolis to a small village. His new patch might be rural, but it’s certainly not uneventful: on his first day, he finds a murdered woman wearing a Gestapo uniform lying in a British military cemetery.

When the body is removed by order of a magistrate from the police mortuary before Rocco and finish his investigation, he realises he’s up against a formidable enemy. An enemy who will go to any lengths - even murder - to stop his investigation.

These superb detective novels, set in 1960s Picardie, France have been given a new edit and cover and this first one (originally Death on the Marais) will be published in eBook in August 2019. You can pre-order your copy here:

Kobo: bit.ly/2JLmjrn
Kindle: amzn.to/2xRiA4N

Congratulations to Luke Turner and his debut non-fiction book Out of the Woods, which has been selected as one of The i’s ‘Best Books of 2019’.

The one and only James Patterson has provided a stonking quote for Adam Hamdy’s forthcoming Black 13 novel:

“The action never flags in Black 13. It. Never. Ever. Stops. What’s even more impressive is that this thriller has a serious purpose. Black 13 is a terrific thriller with a sinister plot that, sadly, rings all too true. Adam Hamdy is a worthy successor to Ludlum and Cussler.”

High praise indeed, and of course we couldn’t agree more. To find out more about the highly anticipated first in a new series, from the author of the Pendulum series, click here.

UK & Commonwealth rights for Stephen Gregory’s backlist title, The Cormorant, has been sold to Parthian Books, one of Wales’ foremost independent publishers. Originally published in 1986, this eerie and haunting novel was Stephen’s first novel and received widespread critical acclaim, winning the Somerset Maugham Award and earning comparisons to the works of Poe.

Stephen’s new book, On Dark Wings, received a lovely review from Pan Review: “If you’re a fan of the taut approach of implication rather than lurid delineation, then you’ll find Gregory a master.”

On Dark Wings is a collection of his short fiction, bringing together a rich and varied assortment of fourteen tales, including several never before printed, four previously unpublished early tales, and two new stories written specifically for this volume.

Finally, we were thrilled to see the publication of L.C. Tyler’s new ‘Elsie and Ethelred’ book, The Maltese Herring, the eighth in the hilariously comic crime series.

Dr Hilary Joyner is neither well liked nor well respected among his academic peers. However, he believes his next project will bring him the recognition he deserves. He’s working to uncover the truth behind the ‘buried treasure story’, a local Sussex legend involving two invaluable golden statues, fabled to be hidden among the religious houses in the country.

Although his latest book deadline is looking, Ethelred Tressider unwittingly finds himself hosting both the academic and his redoubtable literary agent, Elsie Thirkettle, for the weekend. The three soon find themselves part of a hunt for the missing figures, but it isn’t long before Joyner’s research project comes to an abrupt end with his death.

Ethelred and Elsie must piece together the clues of the past to solve the mystery in the present - if they can avoid the distractions of chocolate and feminine wiles for long enough, that is.

Order your copy here.

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Out of the Woods in The i's Best Books of 2019

7/19/2019

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We are delighted for Luke Turner, whose book Out of the Woods has been selected by The i has one of their Best Books of 2019.

"Turner reinvents the nature memoir with this bleak, honest and compelling look at this struggles with bisexuality and relationships, the abuse of his early years and the solace and fury that Epping Forest has provided for him."

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DHH News Roundup 6th - 12th July 2019

7/15/2019

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We’re kicking off this week’s news round up with a big congratulations to client Paul Burston, whose novel The Closer I Get was published, and launched at Goldsboro Books, last week.

This is a taut, twisty psychological thriller with a very modern spin, and based on Paul’s real-life experiences with an online stalker.

Tom is a successful author, but he’s struggling to finish his novel. His main distraction is an online admirer, Evie, who simply won’t leave him alone.

Evie is smart, well read and unstable; she lives with her father and her social media friendships are not only her escape, but everything she has.

When she’s hit with a restraining order, her world is turned upside down, and Tom is free to live his life again, to concentrate on his writing.

But things aren’t really adding up. For Tom is distracted but also addicted to his online relationships, and when they take a darker, more menacing turn, he feels powerless to change things. Because maybe he needs Evie more than he’s letting on.

A compulsive, disturbingly relevant, twisty and powerful psychological thriller, The Closer I Get is also a searing commentary on the fragility and insincerity of online relationships, and the danger that can lurk just one ‘like’ away…

Goldsboro Books have exclusive signed hardback editions completed with gorgeous sprayed edges. Get your copy here.

The Seven Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle is in the July Kindle deal, for only £2.49! This incredible debut by Stuart Turton is the winner of the Costa First Novel Award; winner of the Books Are My Bag Award and was shortlisted for the Specsavers National Book Awards and the British Book Awards Debut of the Year. That many people can’t be wrong… click here to buy your own!

The next gorgeous, whisk-you-away novel from Jo Thomas was published in paperback last week: My Lemon Grove Summer.

Zelda’s impulsive nature has got her precisely nowhere up until now. A fresh start in a beautiful hilltop town in Sicily looking for new residents, together with her best friend Lennie, could be just what she needs. And who better to settle down with than the person who knows her best?

But the sun-filled skies and sparkling seas can’t hide the shadow hanging over the Citta d’Ora, which means not everyone is pleased to see their arrival. The dreams Zelda and her fellow new residents had of setting up a new life might be slipping away. But a friendship with restaurateur Luca could be about to unlock the possibilities that lie in the local lemon groves. And there’s a wedding on the horizon that might be just what the town needs to turn it around…

This glorious book is now available in paperback, eBook or audiobook. The choice is yours!

Staying with the lovely Ms. Thomas, MyWeekly ran a short story by Jo in last week’s magazine entitled ‘Ice Cream and Future Dreams’. Fancy a pick-me-up on the commute? Make sure you pick up a copy before it’s too late! There is also the chance to win one of ten copies of My Lemon Grove Summer. Now if that doesn’t make you run to the newsagent’s…

Congratulations to Phillipa Ashley, whose books with Avon have now sold over 100,000 paperbacks and over 250,000 eBooks. An amazing achievement, and we couldn’t be happier for this talented author, whose star continues to rise and shine!

Ragnar Jónasson’s The Island, the second in the ‘Hidden Iceland’ series, starring DI Hulda Hermansdóttir, was favourably reviewed in the New York Times last week: “Consider this one of the author’s best plots, layered with that dour Scandinavian atmosphere we love.”

Yvonne Singh has written a powerful piece for the Middle East Eye on Arab feminism and literature. ‘What does it take to be an Arab feminist in 2019?’

Click here to read the full article.

We are very excited to see praise beginning to trickle in for Anita Frank’s forthcoming debut The Lost Ones:

“For fans of Henry James and Susan Hill, this chilling supernatural mystery is written in the classic mould. Intriguing, moving and assured.” Essie Fox

“I loved it SO MUCH - so creepy and compelling, full of atmosphere and gave me goosebumps…” Lisa Hall

“My coffee is stone cold. My palms are sweaty. I’ve raced to the shocking final twist of this lush, beautifully written historical novel. A gripping ghost story with an achingly poignant family mystery at its heart.” Samantha King

“Like me, I’m sure many readers will find themselves lost in the brilliantly-conjured Greyswick and immersed in the powerful sense of time and loss Anita creates.” Helen Monks Takhar

This spellbinding book is out on Hallowe’en 2019, and you can pre-order here.

Finally, DHH agent Harry Illingworth will be doing a session with the London Writer’s Café (@LDNwriterscafe) on 19th August and will be talking about budding authors can hone and tighten up their pitch to agents.

This workshop is perfect for those who are now at the submitting stage of writing their novel, and actively looking for representation. Click here for more info.

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DHH News Roundup 29th June - 5th July 2019

7/8/2019

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Over the moon this week to be able to share that Luke Turner’s Out of the Woods has been shortlisted for the Wainwright Prize 2019. The £5,000 prize celebrates the best books about nature, the outdoors and UK travel and is awarded annually to the book which most successfully reflects the ethos of renowned nature writer Alfred Wainwright’s work. The winner will be announced on the 15th August.

Congratulations, Luke!

Also sitting firmly on a shortlist is Kate Mallinder’s debut YA novel Summer of No Regrets for the Bristol Teen Book Award. The award celebrates diversity in Young Adult novels, and is voted on by Bristol teenagers in Year 9 and above. This gorgeous story about female friendship has been described by author Simon James Green as “Bucket loads of summer fun in this warm, funny, utterly delightful story about friendship, taking chances, and living life to the full!”

Her Sister’s Secret, the new novel from E.V. Seymour was released last week in eBook, and is undoubtedly one for fans of Rosamund Lupton’s Sister and A.J. Finn’s The Woman in the Window.

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When Molly Napier’s sister Scarlet is killed in a road accident the whole family are in shock. The police are certain she purposely caused the crash that killed another but what could have happened for sensible Scarlet to lose control at the wheel?

Determined to discover the truth, Molly begins to dig deeper into her sister’s life. With every questions she uncovers yet more secrets… all connected to her family’s past. One of them has something to hide.

And then Molly meets Rocco, a stranger with dark secrets of his own. Nothing can prepare her for what comes next. Perhaps the answers she is searching for are more dangerous than she ever imagined…
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You can download your copy here (only 99p!).

Also published last week was Lizzie Lovell’s comedic state-of-the-nation tale, The West Country Winery. The perfect book to see you in to summer, for fans of Katie Fforde, Jenny Colgan and Phillipa Ashley.

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Chrissie loves her London life and job as an events manager. She loves her loyal lodger and cleaner Melina (sharp as a tack), and her daughters Scarlet (loud, vegan, activist) and Ruby (quiet, musician, boffin). She even loves her husband Rob, despite him deciding to cycle across Africa. For a year. But life as the only responsible adult has left Chrissie stressed and overworked, so much so that she is almost relieved when her mum calls her home to Devon to help with the struggling family vineyard. Almost.

Chrissie gives herself a year: if she can make it through until then, maybe they can celebrate as a family with their own fizz? But adjusting to West country life may take more than she bargained for…
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Grab your copy here.

Last week saw the French publication of Janie Millman’s debut novel Life’s A Drag (or, Les Copines d'Abord), a colourful, side-splitting novel that reveals what happens when a sleepy Suffolk village puts on its riotous annual drag competition… Guaranteed to get you in the mood for the summer holidays, this is one you’ll want to make sure you’ve got packed in your suitcase - wherever you might hail from! Grab your copy here.

Author Abi Elphinstone appeared on London Live to discuss her new series, Unmapped Chronicles (beginning with Rumblestar) which looks at young people’s concerns on climate change. You can catch a clip of it here.

Our gorgeous Jo Thomas has, in celebration of the publication of her new book, My Lemon Grove Summer, started a new "In My Kitchen" series on YouTube where she will cook up a host of fabulous dishes. First up - risotto...

Nab yourself ten minutes, pour yourself a glass of wine & join Jo for a mini cookery lesson!

Paul E. Hardisty’s new novel Turbulent Wake has been giving a glowing endorsement from fellow author Eve Seymour:

“We are all weak. No one is strong.

When a son takes a journey into his father’s past, he has no idea what he’ll uncover, but the truth is almost unbearable.

Written with great poise and elegance, Turbulent Wake is a big bold character-driven story so emotionally literate that it doesn’t ring with authenticity, it clamours.

Hardisty doesn’t shy away from human frailty and the pain we are capable of inflicting on those we love the most. It’s in that honesty there is redemption. And, yes, it made me cry.”

We are thrilled at this reaction as we all love this book HARD here at DHH. Want to see what the fuss is about? See for yourself and buy a copy here.

Finally, The Closer I Get, the new psychological thriller from author Paul Burston, is out this week, and in anticipation, Paul has written an article for the Guardian focused on his real-life cyber-stalking nightmare, which inspired the book.

It’s an incredibly brave piece and you can read it here.

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DHH News Roundup 22nd - 28th June 2019

7/3/2019

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The summer tour for Luke Turner and Out of the Woods has been announced. If you find yourselves at any of these festivals, make sure you catch Luke in conversation.

Paul Burston’s forthcoming The Closer I Get hit the No.1 Best Seller spot in the Gay & Lesbian Mystery category.

Black Summer, the second in the Washington Poe series by M.W. Craven, was launched last week at Goldsboro Books. This incredibly clever book will keep you guessing until the end.

The US cover for Abi Elphinstone’s Rumblestar, the first in her new Unmapped Chronicles series was revealed and we think it’s an absolute beauty.

It’s never too early to think about your Christmas shopping and Stephen Moss’ forthcoming The Twelve Birds of Christmas is the perfect stocking filler for the keen naturist in your life. Available to pre-order now.

Perfect summery read, A Perfect Cornish Summer was picked as one of MyWeekly’s Summer Reads.

My Lemon Grove Summer by Jo Thomas and Paul Burston’s The Closer I Get were included in CultureFly’s Top Summer Reads. Perfect for the sun lounger!

Calling our bookworms across the pond! Lucinda Hawksley will be appearing at the Dickens on the Strand Festival in Galveston, Texas, between 6- 8th December 2019. Get your tickets here.

Clare Boyd’s gripping psychological thriller Her Closest Friend is included in the Kindle July Summer Sale, for a silly price of only 99p! To download your own copy, click here.

Rumblestar garnered a lovely review in the Irish Times last week, as part of their “best new children’s books” piece: “Rumblestar is one of those books that immerse you so fully in its own unique landscape that it will be hard to readjust to the dull facts of conventional geography afterwards.” To read the full review, click here.

Finally, client Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé has launched a summer mentorship scheme for writers of colour who are looking to be traditionally published. Faridah has teamed up with seven other agented writers of colour for this completely superb, original and long-overdue initiative. To find out more, and see how to apply, click here.

Faridah’s debut novel Ace of Spades is due to be published by Usborne in 2020.

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The Closer I Get on Not the Booker Longlist

DHH News Roundup 20th - 26th July 2019

Plethora Of Shortlistings For DHH Clients

Cover Revealed For R.C. Bridgestock's Snow Kills

DHH News Roundup 13th - 19th July 2019

Out of the Woods in The i's Best Books of 2019

DHH News Roundup 6th - 12th July 2019

DHH News Roundup 29th June - 5th July 2019

DHH News Roundup 22nd - 28th June 2019

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