We’re delighted to share with you that Publishing Executive Maisie Lawrence has acquired World English language rights for two books by author J.M. Hewitt from Laetitia Rutherford of Watson, Little Ltd.

J.M. Hewitt’s first book is a dark and twisty crime novel set around the canals of Manchester, where a young female detective must catch a dangerous serial killer who is on the loose. Hewitt’s second novel will be part of the same series, this time with a new thrilling case for our detective to crack.

J.M. Hewitt said,

I’m thrilled to be joining this exciting, dynamic publisher. The opportunities seem to be limitless for what an author can achieve here, and I’m really thrilled to start this new adventure with Maisie and the Bookouture team.

Maisie Lawrence said,

As soon as I read the initial synopsis for J.M. Hewitt’s Manchester-set series, I just couldn’t wait to read it. Her writing grabbed me immediately and wouldn’t let up until I’d read every single page. I can’t wait to get these books into the hands of readers I know will love them. Fans of Angela Marsons and Val McDermid will love J.M. Hewitt!

Please do join us on Facebook and Twitter to celebrate the great news!

Three new Lisa Regan crime thrillers to Bookouture

Jessie Botterill, Commissioning Editor at Bookouture, has signed up three new crime thrillers from bestselling author Lisa Regan. The fourth in the Detective Josie Quinn series will publish in December 2018, with the next books following in April and August 2019.

Jessie Botterill, says:

It has been so brilliant watching this incredible series go from strength to strength over the last year. Lisa is an undeniable talent and publishing the first three Josie Quinn books has been such a highlight for me. I don’t know who is more excited about the next novels, me or her readers!

Lisa Regan, says:

I am over the moon happy! It is a dream come true to continue working with the amazing team at Bookouture, and I can’t wait to get started on Josie Quinn’s next adventure.

Bookouture are delighted to announce that bestselling crime writer Graham Smith is joining us for a three book deal, launching a major new crime detective series.

Associate Publisher Isobel Akenhead acquired World all language and audio rights. The first novel in the Beth Young series will publish in November 2018, with the following novels in March and July 2019.

Isobel Akenhead said:

I am absolutely thrilled that Graham is joining Bookouture, as we are long-time admirers of his writing. The first novel follows our heroine, DC Beth Young, as she investigates a series of violent killings in Cumbria. It is gripping, powerful, and utterly page-turning – a must-read for all crime fiction fans.

Graham Smith said:

I’m hugely excited to be joining Bookouture with this new series and I’m looking forward to working closely with Isobel Akenhead. Beth Young is a character who intrigues me and with Isobel’s expert guidance I’m sure this intrigue will captivate readers as she faces all manner of problems.

We’d love for you to join us on Facebook and Twitter to celebrate.

We’re delighted to announce that Bookouture have signed a new two-book contract with women’s fiction author Brooke Harris. Commissioning Editor Abigail Fenton acquired World English Language rights from Hayley Steed of Madeleine Milburn Literary Agency.

Abigail Fenton said of the deal,

Brooke is an author I have had my eye on for a while, and so I am beyond thrilled to finally be welcoming her to the Bookouture list. Her gorgeous, evocative writing and emotional, relationship-driven storytelling have both broken and warmed the hearts of the whole Bookouture team, and I can’t wait to share these fantastic books with the world.

Brooke Harris said,

I am delighted to join the wonderful team at Bookouture. Lots of my favourite books are Bookouture titles. To be among such talented and lovely people is humbling and very exciting. Many thanks to my agent, Hayley Steed, and my editor, Abigail Fenton, for championing my story and believing in my words. I am very much looking forward to the road ahead.

Hayley Steed added,

It’s so rare to find a book that pulls as emotionally on your heartstrings as Brooke’s does – I was left feeling both bereft and uplifted after the final page. Brooke’s characters are beautifully written, and I defy anyone who can read this book and not shed a tear. I’m delighted that Abi and the incredibly dynamic Bookouture team will be bringing this wonderful story to readers next year!

The first book, which tells the story of Holly and her nana Annie, their loves and losses, will publish in March 2019, with the second to follow in July of that year.

We’d love you join in the celebrations on Facebook and Twitter and welcome Brooke to the Bookouture family.

Bookouture are delighted to announce the signing of Lesley Sanderson, who is joining us for two psychological thrillers.

Commissioning Editor Christina Demosthenous acquired World English Language rights from Hayley Steed at the Madeleine Milburn Agency.

The Dorset Girls tells the story of Molly and Grace – two women who rose to media fame as teenagers when their friend tragically fell to her death from a Dorset cliff. Coined ‘The Dorset Girls’ by the press, only Molly and Grace know what really happened that summer – until now. After years of hiding their dark secret, the truth is finally coming to light. It’s a gripping, evocative novel about obsession, secrets and the blurred lines between love and lies.

The Dorset Girls will publish in November, followed by a second psychological thriller in March 2019.

Christina Demosthenous said:

I knew from the first few pages of The Dorset Girls that I had to publish it. Lesley has written a fantastically twisty psychological thriller that oozes with atmosphere – the brooding cliffs of Dorset and the intense, complex and obsessive relationship between Molly and Grace make for a tense and chilling read. I’m certain that readers are going to be blown away by it and I couldn’t be more thrilled that Lesley is joining us at Bookouture.

Lesley Sanderson said:

I’m so excited to be joining Bookouture and working with a great team of people who believe in my book as much as I do. I’m already enjoying working with my editor Christina Demosthenous – her enthusiasm is infectious. Thanks also to my brilliant agent Hayley Steed for her belief in The Dorset Girls and brokering this two-book deal. I hope to do both my agency and publisher proud.

We’d love for you to join us on Facebook and Twitter to celebrate.

We’re thrilled to announce a three-book deal with historical fiction author Liz Trenow. Commissioning editor Abigail Fenton signed the deal for US and Canadian rights with Caroline Hardman at Hardman & Swainson.

Liz is a former journalist and the author of five novels, including the New York Times bestseller The Forgotten Seamstress. She is published in the UK by Avon and Pan Macmillan.

Bookouture will publish In Love and War in July 2018, followed by The Poppy Factory in January 2019. A third novel will follow in January 2020.

Abigail Fenton said,

Liz has so many fans at Bookouture, and we’re beyond delighted to be welcoming her to the list. Her writing is beautiful and evocative, and her stories completely sweep you away. I can’t wait to bring these books to a wider audience.

Liz Trenow said,

I am so excited that through Bookouture In Love and War and The Poppy Factory will be finding new audiences in the US and Canada. Both pay tribute to ordinary individuals who were caught up in the terrible events of the First World War, which is very much in our minds as we mark the centenary of its end in 1918.

Caroline Hardman said,

I’m delighted that Liz will be continuing to grow her strong North American presence with Abi and Bookouture. I know her fans will welcome the news that they only have to wait until July to read her most moving novel to-date.

We do hope you will join us on Facebook and Twitter to celebrate.

Bookouture are thrilled to announce the signing of debut author Vikki Patis in a World rights deal for two dark psychological thrillers.

The Diary is a tense and gripping thriller about the insular effects of strong teenage friendships and their ability to hide our most devastating lies.

Lauren returns to her home town for the ten-year anniversary of her sister Hannah’s death and finds a diary. It is full of her and her friends’ secrets. She begins to get threats against her. But no-one else has seen the diary, and only Hannah knew all their secrets. And Hannah’s dead, isn’t she?

It publishes in January 2019 with a second standalone thriller to follow later in the year.

Jennifer Hunt said,

The Diary was a submission I stopped everything to read. Vikki’s written two tense and complex characters in Lauren and Hannah who are impossible to let go of. I couldn’t be more delighted she’s joining Bookouture – our readers are going to be completely hooked by her brilliant books.

Vikki added,

I’m so excited to be joining Bookouture. The Diary is a story that’s incredibly close to my heart, and I’m so happy to be sharing it with a team that’s just as excited about it as I am. As a book reviewer, I’ve already read and enjoyed the work of numerous Bookouture authors, and I’m thrilled to be joining such a fantastic group of people.

We do hope you will join us on Facebook and Twitter to celebrate.

We are over the moon to announce that Bookouture has acquired two new books from debut author and editor of Condé Nast Brides magazine Jade Beer. Associate Publisher Kathryn Taussig acquired World English Language rights from Alice Saunders at Lucas Alexander Whitley Literary Agency.

Beer’s first title for Bookouture, The Summer Wedding, will publish in June 2018. It’s a beautifully told, multi-generational women’s fiction novel centred around a wedding boutique in the Cotswolds.  Beer has been the editor of Brides, the UK’s number-one-bestselling bridal magazine, for seven years. She also writes for Glamour and Tatler, as well as the national press and supplements including the Mail on Sunday’s YOU magazine. The book has already received accolades from the likes of best-selling authors Erin Kelly and Nicholas Coleridge.

Jade Beer says,

My entire career in journalism I have been surrounded by fascinating female characters but nowhere more so than the past seven years I have spent as an editor at Vogue House. The Summer Wedding draws on all the richness that women present through their professional and private lives. I’ve woven all these elements together to tell a story from four different cross-generational narratives, unpicking a cast of women who are complex, confused and full of self-doubt but so capable and relatable too. My own experience as a wife, mother, sister and daughter were poured into it in a way that forced me to shine a spotlight on all the messy imperfections of my own relationships so it always felt genuine and real. The team at Bookouture were so overwhelming positive about it from the get-go that I couldn’t be happier to see them bring it to life with their dynamic approach to publishing.

Kathryn Taussig said,

It was definitely love at first sight with this novel. Jade’s gift for creating complex characters brings depth and intelligence to her tale of three brides-to-be, while never skimping on all the fun, insider details you’d expect from the editor of Brides magazine. The result is a witty, romantic and emotional story that I know readers of all tastes are going to enjoy.

Jade’s second book, a follow-up to The Summer Wedding, will publish in October 2018.

Do join in with the congratulations over on Facebook and Twitter.

We are very excited to announce that debut author Nick Hollin has signed a two-book deal with Bookouture via his agent Sarah Manning at The Bent Agency. In the Blood is a dark and disturbing thriller about a serial killer nicknamed The Cartoonist who leaves his victims in strange poses on the kitchen floor. It will publish early next year with a sequel already underway.

Commissioning Editor, Jessie Botterill said of the deal:

I’ve been on the hunt for a new crime series with a twist and In the Blood ticks every possible box. Fans of TV’s Dexter will be hiding under the covers! There’s no denying that Nick Hollin is a name you are all going to remember.

Nick Hollin said:

A life’s dream made real thanks to my brilliant agent and publisher! Bookouture feels like the perfect home.

Do join in with the congratulations over on Facebook and Twitter.