Headline acquires two new Ann Granger novels

Headline Books has signed two new novels by beloved crime writer Ann Granger. Editor Clare Foss acquired World English Language volume rights from Isobel Dixon at Blake Friedmann Literary Agency.

The first, DEATH ON THE PROWL, which was published on  5th  December, is the eighth Cotswold village mystery featuring detective duo Campbell and Carter, and the second novel will be the next instalment in Ann’s Victorian crime series, featuring Scotland Yard’s Inspector Ben Ross and his wife Lizzie. The latter is set to be published in December 2025.

Having been published by Headline for nearly thirty-five years, Ann is one of their longest-standing crime writers and they have sold well over a million copies of her novels. Headline are also releasing ebook editions of the Mitchell and Markby series and Fran Varady series for the first time in the USA.

Ann Granger says ‘I am very fortunate to have been a client of a first-class agency in Blake Friedmann for so many years, and I’m delighted that my long and happy association with Headline will continue.’

Clare Foss says: ‘We are absolutely delighted to continue our long and happy association with one of our best-loved crime writers. As well as seeing both these series flourish, we are delighted to be releasing the ebooks of Ann’s ever-popular Mitchell and Markby series and Fran Varady series for the first time in the USA with exciting brand-new covers designed to appeal to the digital market.’

Isobel Dixon said: ‘I’m thrilled that, as we head towards Ann’s 35th year being published by Headline, we have a new two-book deal. Ann is a marvel, and a joy to work with, and I know her fans will be as delighted as we are that there are more books to come – and now American readers can also catch up with her other beloved characters – Fran Varady, and Mitchell and Markby.’

About Ann Granger

Ann Granger lives near Oxford. Over decades she has created a wonderful range of series characters, all featuring insightful characterisation and satisfying plotting. Ann has written over thirty murder mysteries, including the Mitchell & Markby Mysteries, the Fran Varady Mysteries, the Victorian Inspector Ben Ross and Lizzie Martin Mysteries and the Campbell and Carter Mysteries. Published in 10 languages, her German editions have sold millions of copies and have made more than 30 appearances in the Top 5 bestseller lists.

Praise for Ann Granger

‘Deft plotting, elegant descriptive prose, delicate comic touch, endearing eccentric characters.’ –Publishers Weekly

‘Granger writes in the best tradition of Agatha Christie and classic crime stories’ – Woman Space

‘Granger’s deft touch raises her above the competition and her finely drawn characters are affecting and believable… Something quite special.’ – Crime Time

‘Anyone who enjoys crime stories featuring credible characters in action in a recognizable real world… will lap up the work of Ann Granger.’ – Oxford Mail

‘Classic… a good feel for understated humour, a nice ear for dialogue.’ – The Times

THREE NEW ANN GRANGER BOOKS TO HEADLINE

As Headline and Blake Friedmann celebrate Ann Granger and her thirty years of publishing with Headline, we are delighted to announce that a new three-book deal for UK and British Commonwealth rights (including Canada) has been clinched. Headline Executive Editor Clare Foss has acquired two new novels and a collection of short stories from Ann Granger’s agent, Isobel Dixon.

 Drawing together stories which have appeared in magazines and anthologies over Ann Granger’s entire writing career, the collection, MYSTERY IN THE MAKING, will be published in hardback on 9 December 2021. The first novel, DEADLY COMPANY, will mark a return to the ever-popular Mitchell and Markby series and will be published in July 2022. The second novel, to be published in July 2023, will continue Granger’s Victorian mystery series, featuring Scotland Yard’s Inspector Ben Ross and his wife Lizzie. These much-loved characters featured in the most recent series addition, THE TRUTH-SEEKER’S WIFE, which was published in summer 2021. The paperback is due to be released on 9 December 2021, the same day as MYSTERY IN THE MAKING comes out in hardback – a fantastic Christmas package for Granger fans!

 Clare Foss said: ‘It is a privilege to publish one of the nation’s best-loved and most well-respected crime writers. Over the last thirty years, hundreds of thousands of Ann’s fans have followed the fortunes of Mitchell and Markby, Fran Varady, Campbell and Carter, and Ben and Lizzie Ross.’ 

 Ann Granger said: ‘To think that I have been writing crime fiction for 30 years seems astonishing to me. The time has passed so quickly. I have been very fortunate to have had wonderful backing in my writing career. I have been a client of a first-class agency in Blake Friedmann; and this has provided a constant support for which I am very grateful.

 I have also had the good fortune, over the years, to have had three wonderful editors at Headline: Anne Williams, Marion Donaldson and Clare Foss. They’ve always been there for me with advice and encouragement. I could not have been luckier. My most constant supporter, my late husband John Hulme, is sadly no longer here to share this 30th anniversary of writing. Even when he knew himself to have little time left, he urged me to keep writing. So, I shall continue to do so for as long as it’s possible.’

 Isobel Dixon said: ‘It’s an absolute honour and joy to represent Ann Granger, having worked for two decades with her long-time agent Carole Blake. Some of my first deals at Blake Friedmann were selling Ann’s wonderful short stories and crime fiction serials – crafty 3- and 5-parters delivered for magazines with clockwork precision – and I loved talking with so many translating publishers about her beloved Mitchell and Markby and Fran Varady books then too.

 It’s been glorious to see the full scope of the work unfold, with Headline also now publishing the Victorian crime series, and Campbell and Carter picking up from Mitchell and Markby in crime-solving in the Cotswolds. With the short story collection signposting Ann’s remarkable thirty years with Headline, we’re thrilled to still be in full swing with the new three-book deal, and looking forward to the road ahead. Ann is a dream author for an agent, for her publishers and her readers – here’s to many more stories.’

 Headline has sold well over a million copies of Ann Granger’s novels and all four of her series continue to sell strongly. Her work is published in 10 languages, and she has had particular success in Germany, with millions of copies sold, in addition to more than 30 appearances in the Top 5 on the German bestseller lists.

 Praise for Ann Granger

‘Granger’s deft touch raises her above the competition and her finely drawn characters are affecting and believable…Something quite special.’ — Crime Time

 ‘Anyone who enjoys crime stories featuring credible characters in action in a recognizable real world…will lap up the work of Ann Granger.’ — Oxford Mail

 'Well-plotted… realistically portrayed, mature characters whose motivations for solving the crimes are nearly as interesting as the crimes themselves. To be savoured by connoisseurs of characterisation.' — Publishers Weekly

 ‘Granger writes in the best tradition of Agatha Christie and classic crime stories’ — Woman Space

 About the author

Ann Granger is a bestselling British crime author. Born in Portsmouth, England, she went on to study at the University of London. She has written over thirty murder mysteries, including the Mitchell & Markby Mysteries, the Fran Varady Mysteries, the Victorian Inspector Ben Ross and Lizzie Martin Mysteries and the Campbell and Carter Mysteries. Her books are set in Britain, and feature female detectives, murderous twists and characters full of humour and colour.  She has been published in the UK by Headline for more than 30 years and her German publisher Lübbe has sold millions of copies of her work.

Visit Ann’s website.

Follow Ann on Twitter.

CAMPBELL AND CARTER UNITE WITH MITCHELL AND MARKBY IN AN UNFINISHED MURDER BY ANN GRANGER

Two great detective duos unite in the Ann Granger’s AN UNFINISHED MURDER, published today in hardback and ebook by Headline in the UK. American readers can also get their hands on a copy of the sixth addition to the Campbell and Carter series today as AN UNFINISHED MURDER is out in ebook from Canelo in the US. In Ann’s latest mystery, Campbell and Carter are joined by retired detectives Mitchell and Markby when they find themselves dealing with a cold case. Fans of Ann’s novels will recognise the older investigative team from the internationally acclaimed Mitchell and Markby series.

As young children, Josh Browning and his sister, Dilys, stumbled across a dead body while playing on the outskirts of their Cotswold village. Terrified by what they'd seen, neither of them told a soul. Now, twenty years later, Josh finds the dead woman's charm bracelet among his sister's possessions.

Who better to tell than his trusted friend, the man he gardens for, retired Superintendent Alan Markby? As Markby listens to Josh's confession, alarm bells start to ring. The dates and details tie in with a missing person case that was never solved.

Joining forces with Superintendent Ian Carter, who also investigated the original case, and Inspector Jess Campbell, from the region where the missing girl was last seen, Markby delves into the unsolved mystery. Together, they are determined to catch a clever killer who almost got away with murder...

Rights to AN UNFINISHED MURDER have been sold in Germany to Bastei Lubbe. The Mitchell and Markby and Fran Varady detective series have received international acclaim, entering the Top 5 German Bestseller list with each novel. Ann has also contributed to several short story volumes licensed internationally. Headline has published 29 of her crime novels, and the Campbell and Carter series has been translated into five languages.

Ann Granger has lived in cities all over the world, since for many years she worked for the Foreign Office and received postings to British embassies as far apart as Munich and Lusaka. She is now permanently based in Oxfordshire.

Praise for Ann Granger:

‘Characterisation, as ever with Granger, is sharp and astringent’ — The Times

‘Highly entertaining and frequently witty bit of sleuthing.’ — Manchester Evening News

‘The maturity of her writing is evident: the style is witty, the setting picturesque, and the characters vivid and colorful.’ — Mystery News

‘One of the most reliable practitioners of the crime fiction genre.’ — Good Book Guide

‘Ann Granger has shown she can sustain a series… it's worth investing.’ — Rich Westwood, EuroCrime

‘You can always count on Ann Granger! …Those craving for some nice, English crime-entertainment will be served well.’ — Kölner Express

‘Ann Granger creates suspense and interesting characters. Quirky ladies, cranky farmers and incompetent policemen…Pitchforks and drug traffic – Granger’s extremes are told with wit and humour.’ — Neue Presse

‘Solidly written, well plotted and always entertaining.’ — Frankfurter Rundschau

Another gripping addition to the Campbell and Carter series ROOTED IN EVIL is published in paperback tomorrow!

ROOTED IN EVIL, the fifth book in Ann Granger’s tantalising Campbell and Carter murder mystery series is published tomorrow in paperback by Headline after its initial hardback release in June. Crime enthusiasts will find plenty to enjoy in the latest novel when Inspector Jess Campbell and Superintendent Ian Carter are called to investigate a suspicious death in the Cotswolds.

Carl Finch is a desperate man who needs money urgently. Cut out of his stepfather's will, he is heavily in debt and unless he can persuade his stepsister Hattie to bail him out, he'll be in even more trouble. Hattie's husband Guy has never liked Carl and wants his wife's inheritance for his own use, so Hattie agrees to meet Carl in secret to discuss his predicament.

Little does she realise that when she arrives at their meeting point in Crooked Man Wood she'll find Carl's dead body...

Earlier this year Ann signed a two-book deal with Headline for a brand new Inspector Ben Ross mystery and the sixth Campbell and Carter novel. Fans of Ann’s earlier work will recognise familiar faces as the next Campbell and Carter will feature the return of beloved detectives Mitchell and Markby.

The Mitchell and Markby and Fran Varady detective series have received international acclaim, entering the Top 5 German Bestseller list with each novel. Ann has also contributed to several short story volumes licensed internationally. Headline has published 29 of her crime novels, and the Campbell and Carter series has been translated into five languages.

Ann Granger has lived in cities all over the world. For many years she worked for the Foreign Office and received postings to British embassies as far apart as Munich and Lusaka. She is now permanently based in Oxfordshire.

Visit Ann Granger's website 

Follow Ann on Twitter

Praise for Ann Granger

‘Characterisation, as ever with Granger, is sharp and astringent’ — The Times

‘The plot is neat and ingenious, the characters rounded and touchingly credible ... a pleasure to read’ — Ham and High

‘Highly entertaining and frequently witty bit of sleuthing.’ — Manchester Evening News

‘The maturity of her writing is evident: the style is witty, the setting picturesque, and the characters vivid and colorful.’ — Mystery News

‘One of the most reliable practitioners of the crime fiction genre.’ — Good Book Guide

‘Ann Granger has shown she can sustain a series… it's worth investing.’ — Rich Westwood, EuroCrime

‘You can always count on Ann Granger! …Those craving for some nice, English crime-entertainment will be served well.’ — Kölner Express

‘Ann Granger creates suspense and interesting characters. Quirky ladies, cranky farmers and incompetent policemen…Pitchforks and drug traffic – Granger’s extremes are told with wit and humour.’ – Neue Presse

‘Solidly written, well plotted and always entertaining.’ – Frankfurter Rundschau

ANN GRANGER’S ROOTED IN EVIL PUBLISHED TODAY BY HEADLINE as she signs new 2 book-deal

The highly-anticipated fifth book in the Campbell & Carter series hits shelves in bookshops across the UK today, 29 June. Set in the Cotswold village of Weston Saint Ambrose, Inspector Jess Campbell and Superintendent Ian Carter are faced with another gripping murder mystery to solve!

Carl Finch is a desperate man who needs money urgently. Cut out of his stepfather's will, he is heavily in debt and unless he can persuade his stepsister Hattie to bail him out, he'll be in even more trouble. Hattie's husband Guy has never liked Carl and wants his wife's inheritance for his own use, so Hattie agrees to meet Carl in secret to discuss his predicament.

Little does she realise that when she arrives at their meeting point in Crooked Man Wood she'll find Carl's dead body...

Ann Granger has also just signed a new two book deal with Headline for a brand new Inspector Ben Ross mystery and another new Campbell and Carter mystery, this time featuring the return of her beloved detectives Mitchell and Markby.

Ann Granger is also the author of the internationally acclaimed Mitchell and Markby and Fran Varady detective series. Entering the Top 5 of the German bestseller list with each novel, she has also contributed to several short story volumes, licensed internationally. Headline has published 29 of her crime novels, and the Campbell and Carter series is published in five languages.

Ann Granger has lived in cities all over the world, since for many years she worked for the Foreign Office and received postings to British embassies as far apart as Munich and Lusaka. She is now permanently based in Oxfordshire.

Visit Ann Granger's website 

Follow Ann on Twitter

Praise for Ann Granger

‘Characterisation, as ever with Granger, is sharp and astringent’ — The Times

‘The plot is neat and ingenious, the characters rounded and touchingly credible ... a pleasure to read’ — Ham and High

‘The reader can expect a treat. Lively, different and fun’ — Yorkshire Post

‘She is on to another winner’ — Birmingham Post

‘Ann Granger has shown she can sustain a series… it's worth investing.’ — Rich Westwood, EuroCrime

‘You can always count on Ann Granger! …Those craving for some nice, English crime-entertainment will be served well.’ — Kölner Express

‘One of the most reliable practitioners of the crime fiction genre.’ — Good Book Guide