First up, we are delighted to be able to announce that the next two psychological suspense novels from Vikki Patis will be published by Hodder & Stoughton. 

World English Rights for two books were sold to Hodder's Bethany Wickington, in a deal negotiated by Emily Glenister. 

The first, Return to Blackwater House, is a superb thriller that will keep you turning the pages until its shocking conclusion. Due for release in March 2022, it's up for request on NetGalley now.

Stephen Moss' The Swan, was featured in BBC Wildlife Magazine's books roundup for December:

"Having previously charted the lives of the robin, wren and swallow, Stephen Moss turns his attention to the swan. The details of its life-cycle, its place in popular culture and its role in literature and myth are all discussed in this beautifully illustrated guide."

With the festive season around the corner, this will make the perfect present for the nature-lover in your life...

Congratulations to our below authors, whose books were published last week:
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• A Valley Dream by Anna Jacobs (paperback, 1st in Backshaw Moss series)
• Commander by Paul Fraser Collard (hardback & eBook, 10th Jack Lark series)
• Celebrations at the Chateau by Jo Thomas (paperback)

We were utterly thrilled to see A. J. West's debut novel, The Spirit Engineer, selected as a pick for The Sunday Times' Historical Fiction roundup:

"The Spirit Engineer by AJ West opens in Belfast in 1914. William Jackson Crawford is an oddball teacher of engineering who prides himself on his commitment to science and rationality. After the death of their youngest child, his wife seeks comfort via a medium named Kathleen Goligher. Initially sceptical, Crawford begins to experience manifestations that make him a convert to the spiritualist cause. But is Goligher a fraud? Is Crawford himself a reliable narrator? ... West answers these questions with ingenuity and invention."

A plethora of fantastic quotes for various titles have poured in over the last week, and we are delighted to show them to you:

"With twist after gut-punching twist, A Fatal Crossing really is an ingenious thriller. Highly recommended."
M. W. Craven on Tom Hindle's debut A Fatal Crossing

"A delicious Shetland setting and the exquisite writing of Green, come together for a delightful  tale of friendship, family and love. Highly enjoyable and engaging read."
​Jenni Keer on From Shetland, With Love at Christmas by Erin Green

"Staggeringly good, this richly complex novel by James Goodhand is as accomplished and engrossing as his debut ... Page-turning and compelling, Goodhand deftly handles a narrative that seems to be moving inexorably towards some terribly disaster ... In tears and awe by the final pages, James Goodhand had me hanging on every word. I loved it!"
Louisa Reid on Man Down by James Goodhand

In November's Kindly Monthly Deal., we've got a few fantastic low prices for you. Simply click on the cover image below to take you to the deal

Finally, the cover for Richard Swan's fantasy debut, The Justice of Kings, Book 1 in the Empire of the Wolf series (February 2022, Orbit), has been revealed...

We are delighted to welcome Iain Rowan to the Agency. 

Iain joins Tom Drake-Lee's list, and is a shortlistee for both the Bath Novel Award and the CWA Debut Dagger. 

​To find out more about Iain, click here.

Happy Publication Day to our authors for the below books, which are all now available in a variety of formats:

Got a Kobo eReader? Then we've got the perfect autumnal deal for you:

Stuart Turton's The Devil and the Dark Water is only £1.99 from the 22nd October - 31st October. 

​To take advantage of this brilliant deal, click here.

As part of Goldster's new Author to Author events, client Lucinda Hawksley will be interviewing bestselling, worldwide renowned author Ian Rankin, on Thursday 28th October, from 6-7pm. 

​The event is virtual, tickets are free and you can reserve yours here.

And finally, we are over the moon to be able to announce that Amy Beashel's debut adult novel, Spilt Milk, has been acquired by HarperNorth. Amy is the author of the 2020 YA novel The Sky Is Mine, which was longlisted for both the Branford Boase Award and the Carnegie Medal.

Publishing director Genevieve Pegg acquired UK & Commonwealth rights from Hannah Sheppard, and the book will publish in spring 2023.

To find out more about this exciting acquisition, click here.

HarperNorth has landed the début adult novel from YA author Amy Beashel.

Publishing director Genevieve Pegg acquired UK & Commonwealth rights for Spilt Milk from Hannah Sheppard at the DHH Literary Agency. It will publish in spring 2023. Beashel is the author of the 2020 YA novel The Sky is Mine (Rock the Boat), which was longlisted for the Branford Boase Award and the Carnegie Medal.

The publisher describes Spilt Milk as "a powerful, controversial and ultimately empowering novel about modern relationships and the choices we make". It tells the story of a mother and her struggles around the complexities of motherhood.

Pegg said: “I was completely hooked from the first page of Amy’s story—while it’s bold and taboo-busting in its honesty, it also is alive with characters I recognise that give it a warmth and relatability that make it absolutely unforgettable. Full of twists and surprises, I can’t wait to talk about it with readers everywhere.”

Beashel said: “I am thrilled to be published by HarperNorth; they really grasped the spirit of Spilt Milk and connected with Bea’s complex relationship with motherhood, marriage, and grief. I’m so excited to work with Genevieve and the team and hugely grateful to my agent Hannah, who has been vehemently on Bea’s side from the off.”

​From The Bookseller article | Sian Bayley

Congratulations to Lucinda Hawksley, who last week saw the publication of her new book, Letters of Great Women (Welbeck). 

Over 2,000 years of history seen through the eyes of 50 extraordinary women.

Was Jane Austen a fan of her own work?
What did Harriet Tubman want to tell Abraham Lincoln?
And how did Greta Thunberg respond to her critics?

This carefully curated selection of correspondence on politics, literature, art, entertainment, activism and science provides insight into the personal and professional lives of some of history's most influential names. Each entry includes images and transcripts of the letters themselves along with a biography by celebrated historian Lucinda Hawksley exploring the lives and writings of each woman.

Letters of Great Women brings together 50 key female voices on the most significant moments in history, and the everyday joys, sorrows and struggles of women's lives.

You can order yourself this fascinating book here.

We're very pleased to be welcoming two new clients to the DHH stable this week. 

E. L. Crocker joins Harry Illingworth's list, while Jennifer Kennedy joins Hannah Sheppard's. 

Lightfall, E. L.'s debut novel, and part of an epic fantasy series, takes place in the last vampire city, where the blood you drink determines your class.

Meanwhile, drawn to the supernatural and mysterious it was inevitable that Jennifer would write gothic fiction and dreams of living in a haunted mansion on the moors.

Watch this space for more on these very exciting new writers.

Last week, BookBub published their list of Top 13 'Locked Room Mysteries' and we were thrilled to see Ragnar Jónasson's debut novel, Snowblind (Orenda Books, 2015) included. 

With over a million copies of the first in Jónasson's Dark Iceland series sold, if you have yet to introduce yourself to the inimitable Ari Thór Arason, then what are you waiting for?? 

​Siglufjörður: an idyllically quiet fishing village in Northern Iceland, where no one locks their doors accessible only via a small mountain tunnel.

Ari Thór Arason: a rookie policeman on his first posting, far from his girlfriend in Reykjavik with a past that he's unable to leave behind.

When a young woman is found lying half-naked in the snow, bleeding and unconscious, and a highly esteemed, elderly writer falls to his death in the local theatre, Ari is dragged straight into the heart of a community where he can trust no one, and secrets and lies are a way of life.

An avalanche and unremitting snowstorms close the mountain pass, and the 24-hour darkness threatens to push Ari over the edge, as curtains begin to twitch, and his investigation becomes increasingly complex, chilling and personal. Past plays tag with the present and the claustrophobic tension mounts, while Ari is thrust ever deeper into his own darkness blinded by snow, and with a killer on the loose.

Finally, we are very happy to be able to show you the cover for James Goodhand's new novel:

From the author of 2020's hard-hitting Last Lesson, comes Man Down, a searingly exploration of toxic masculinity. 

​Will Parks needs to man up.

A man stands. A man fights. A man bleeds.

These are the first lessons you learn in a town where girls are objects, words are weak and fists do the talking.

Will's more at home in the classroom than the gym, and the most important woman in his life is his gran. So how can a boy who's always backed away from a fight become the hero who saves the day?

Because a disaster is coming. One that Will can prevent. But only if he learns the most important lesson of all: sometimes to step up, you have to man down.

Published in March 2022, you can pre-order your copy here.

Congratulations to Clare Whitfield and Stuart Turton, who have both been shortlisted for the HWA Crown Awards 2021. 

People of Abandoned Character (Clare Whitfield) is shortlisted for the Debut Crown and The Devil and the Dark Water (Stuart Turton) is shortlisted for the Gold Crown. 

The 2021 Crown Awards (Debut, Gold and Non-Fiction) are for full length books published for the first time in English in the UK between the 1st April 2020 - 31st March 2021. The winner's ceremony will take place on the 24th November 2021.

Richard Swan's forthcoming debut fantasy novel, The Justice of Kings​ (February 2022, Little Brown), has received two fantastic endorsements in the last week:

"A stunning piece of modern fantasy writing." R.J. Barker, author of The Bone Ships and Age of Assassins

"A marvelously detailed world with an engrossing adventure from a unique perspective. I enjoyed it!" K. S. Villoso, author of The Wolf of Oren-Yaro

Keep an eye out for the cover reveal, but in the meantime, check out the blurb below...

​No man is above the law. 

The Empire of the Wolf simmers with unrest. Rebels, heretics and powerful patricians all challenge the power of the imperial throne. 

Only the Order of Justices stands in the way of chaos. Sir Konrad Vonvalt is the most feared Justice of all, upholding the law by way of his sharp mind, arcane powers and skill as a swordsman. In this he is aided by Helena Sedanka, his clerk and protege, orphaned by the wars that forged the empire. 

When the pair investigate the murder of a provincial aristocrat, they unearth a conspiracy that stretches to the very top of imperial society. As the stakes rise and become ever more personal, Vonvalt must make a choice: will he abandon the laws he's sworn to uphold in order to protect the empire?

Finally, we're delighted to be able to reveal to you the cover for Off Target, the second novel from Eve Smith, author of the disturbingly prevalent The Waiting Rooms. 

Congratulations to Clare Whitfield and Stuart Turton, who have both been shortlisted for the Historical Writers' Association Crown Awards 2021 for the respective novels, The Devil and the Dark Water and People of Abandoned Character. 

The 2021 Crown Awards (Debut, Gold and Non-Fiction) are for full length books published for the first time in English in the UK between the 1st April 2020 - 31st March 2021.

People of Abandoned Character is Clare's debut novel and has been shortlisted for the Debut Crown Award; while Stuart Turton's The Devil and the Dark Water is shortlisted for the Gold Crown Award. 

The winner's ceremony will take place on the 24th November 2021.

We are totally and utterly over the moon that Clare Whitfield's debut novel, People of Abandoned Character, has scooped the Goldsboro Books Glass Bell Award 2021. 

​Goldsboro Books staff said: “The decision was pretty much unanimous. Clare Whitfield’s thrilling debut impressed the whole team for its fresh and unique take on the Whitechapel Murders. Told from the point of view of a woman who wonders whether her violent and manipulative husband could be Jack the Ripper, it’s also a thoughtful and compelling exploration of the endless violence faced by women of all walks of life. We’re delighted to award this year’s Glass Bell to Clare Whitfield – a hugely exciting new name in fiction, we know that she will go far!"

We have a veritable smörgåsbord of exciting book promos, meaning you can stock up on all these fantastic titles to while away these chilly evenings (a roaring fire, hot chocolate, a dog - you get the picture).

Simply click on any of the book covers below to take you straight to the deal(s) - there is literally something for everyone!

The eBook for Julie Caplin's brand new getaway novel, The Cosy Cottage in Ireland, was released last week - shooting to the top of the Apple Books chart - and it really is the perfect book for this time of year (and is also an absolute steal at 99p!).

Snuggle up in your favourite armchair and take a trip across the Irish sea for comfort food, cosy cottage nights and a heartwarming romance.

Blood Ties, the Ben Devlin thriller from Brian McGilloway, was published last week in eBook and is the latest in the series, set in Ireland's Border. 

​How can a dead woman avenge herself on her killer twenty years after her murder?

"A clever, engaging and beautifully crafted police procedural." Irish Independent

"An enthralling, powerful and incredibly moving novel." Irish Times

Congratulations to Carys Jones, who last week saw the eBook release of her new book, We Are All Liars, an intensely gripping psychological thriller set in a remote Scottish cabin, with five friends who have a long history, and many secrets - some of them deadly.

With a twist you won't see coming, this is perfect for fans of Ruth Ware and Lucy Foley.

Finally, we have been chomping at the bit to show you the cover of Victoria Selman's forthcoming Truly, Darkly, Deeply, a dark crime novel that will truly get under your skin. 

​12-year-old Sophie and her mother, Amelia-Rose, move to London from Massachusetts where they meet the charismatic Matty Melgren, who quickly becomes an intrinsic part of their lives. But as the relationship between the two adults fractures, a serial killer begins targeting young women with a striking resemblance to Amelia-Rose.

When Matty is eventually sent down for multiple murders, questions remain as to his guilt -- questions which ultimately destroy both women. Nearly twenty years later, Sophie receives a letter from Battlemouth Prison informing her Matty is dying and wants to meet. It looks like Sophie might finally get the answers she craves. But will the truth set her free -- or bury her deeper?

Huge congratulations to client Clare Whitfield, who has been awarded the Goldsboro Books Glass Bell Award 2021 for her debut, People of Abandoned Character, a thrilling and atmospheric take on the Jack the Ripper story, published by Head of Zeus. It follows the perspective of the newly married Susannah, who begins to wonder whether her abusive and volatile husband might be responsible for the Whitechapel Murders. Whitfield won praise from the judging team for her ‘fresh and unique’ approach to the story, calling it ‘a thoughtful and compelling exploration of the endless violence faced by women of all walks of life.’

People of Abandoned Character was announced as the winner live at a party at Goldsboro Books at 7.00pm on Thursday 30th September and Clare was awarded £2,000 and a beautiful, handmade glass bell.
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Goldsboro Books staff said: “The decision was pretty much unanimous. Clare Whitfield’s thrilling debut impressed the whole team for its fresh and unique take on the Whitechapel Murders. Told from the point of view of a woman who wonders whether her violent and manipulative husband could be Jack the Ripper, it’s also a thoughtful and compelling exploration of the endless violence faced by women of all walks of life. We’re delighted to award this year’s Glass Bell to Clare Whitfield – a hugely exciting new name in fiction, we know that she will go far!"