Luca Veste returns to Avon with exciting four-book deal

Credit: Ean Flanders Photography

Avon has acquired four novels to launch a new Liverpool-based crime series by Luca Veste. The first two titles, LIAR LIAR and TELL TALE, are scheduled for publication in Spring 2026 and early 2027, respectively. Helen Huthwaite, Publisher at Avon,  acquired World English language rights from Kate Burke at Blake Friedmann Literary Agency.

The multi-book deal marks Veste’s return to Avon, eleven years after the publisher released his first series featuring DI Murphy and DS Rossi. Most recently published by Hodder, LIAR LIAR sees Luca returning to his home town of Liverpool and features a disgraced detective who finds himself caught in the middle of a criminal investigation, racing against time to clear his name with his life on the line.

Helen Huthwaite said: ‘To say that I am delighted to bring Luca home to Avon is something of an understatement. I am ecstatic to see him return and couldn’t be more excited at the prospect of publishing his brilliant new Liverpool-based series. As a proud northerner myself, returning to Luca’s familiar northwest stomping ground will be an absolute joy - albeit one that’s peppered with plenty of bodies along the way! I know that we have an incredible opportunity to put Luca on the TBR pile of every crime reader in the country, with the potential for his new series to take him all the way to the top - where he rightly belongs!’

Luca Veste added: ‘I couldn't be happier to be returning to Avon - going back home, where it all began - to work with the incredible Helen Huthwaite and the amazing Avon team. To be given the opportunity to start a brand-new series, set in my beloved Liverpool, is one I couldn’t turn down. I'm absolutely thrilled and can'‘ wait for the first book to be in readers’ hands.’

Kate Burke commented: ‘I’m delighted to see Luca return to where it all started with the lovely Avon team! This is such an exciting new series and new chapter in his publishing.’

About Luca Veste
Luca Veste is a writer of Italian and Liverpudlian heritage. He is the author of eight novels, including the Murphy & Rossi series, and standalones THE BONE KEEPER and YOU NEVER SAID GOODBYE. He is the co-organiser of the Locked Up Festival, which raised over £25,000 for the Trussell Trust, co-host of the Two Crime Writers and a Microphone podcast, and the bass player in the Fun Lovin’ Crime Writers. He studied psychology and criminology at the University of Liverpool. He lives in Merseyside and is married with two daughters.

 Praise for Luca Veste
‘A writer who just gets better and better.’ – Mark Billingham

‘Re-energises the shop-worn police procedural format.’ – Financial Times,

‘A writer who has been favourably compared to Harlan Coben and Linwood Barclay... and rightly so….’ – Belfast Telegraph

‘Luca Veste is leading the new wave in British crime fiction, using mystery novels to explore social issues, armed with heart, insight, and anger.’ – Jay Stringer

‘Luca Veste has talent for exposing the ugliness of the criminal mind... For readers in search of disturbing and dark, you have come to the right place.’ – Crime Review

Follow Luca on X.

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Avon acquire two more romance novels from Emma Cowell

HarperCollins has signed two more escapist and sweeping romance novels set in Greece by bestselling author Emma Cowell. Rachel Hart, senior commissioning editor at Avon Books, bought world English rights from Kate Burke at Blake Friedmann Literary Agency. The novels will be published in May 2026 and May 2027.

The first novel follows Ellen on a journey of self-discovery as she experiences a trip that changes her life forever. Though it causes conflict within her family, she wrestles with her own guilt and the need to live her own life, not for the memory of her husband, her son or daughter, but solely for her. Both books will capture the magic of falling in love under the Mediterranean sun.

Emma Cowell said: ‘I am so thrilled to continue my author journey with the brilliant team at Avon. Their enthusiasm for my writing started with my debut novel and it's hard to believe we are now at book five and six – it still feels like a dream. I can't wait to share more magical corners of Greece with readers featuring emotional, sweeping love stories, female friendship and sisterhood and, of course, heaps of delicious Greek food!’

Rachel Hart said: ‘Every one of Emma's books transports me to the whitewashed streets and crystal-blue waters of Greece. These two further books will capture the magic of falling in love under the Mediterranean sun, and I can’t wait for readers to experience them!’

Kate Burke said: 'I’m delighted to see this fruitful partnership flourishing and for readers to enjoy more sun-drenched, poignant and uplifting novels from Emma!’

Emma’s upcoming novel, UNDER THE LEMON TREE, will be published by Avon in paperback on 8 May 2025. Emma’s novels have sold over 100,000 copies throughout the world and have been published in nine languages.

About Emma Cowell
Emma lives in Cornwall with her husband, Tony. A former actress and BBC presenter, Emma has worked in the fundraising division of children’s palliative care for the last decade. Segueing from being paid to talk for a living into writing was a natural progression, since story telling has been at the heart of her career to date. Outside of work, Emma is a keen angler and held a Cornish record for over 10 years until her crown was toppled. She is yet to get over it but tries to keep calm by practising yoga. Also a keen linguist, Emma has learnt Greek to maintain her love affair with the country where she has set her novels. She is yet to achieve a level of proficiency outside of tavernas and bakeries.

Praise for Emma Cowell and UNDER THE LEMON TREE
‘Emma Cowell is a masterful storyteller of sun-drenched, heartfelt, glorious stories. In UNDER THE LEMON TREE, you will bask in the Grecian sun in a novel of pure escape. Kat navigates the path of grief and as she heals, secrets are revealed that will change the course of her life. Delicious. Luscious. The perfect summer read!’ – Adriana Trigiani, author of THE GOOD LEFT UNDONE

‘I was engrossed, hanging on to every word, and so impressed by UNDER THE LEMON TREE that I will be recommending it to all my friends.’ – Patricia Wilson, author of GREEK ISLAND ESCAPE

‘Absolutely enchanting. I could feel the Greek sun kissing my skin as tenderly as the story warmed my heart.’ – Kate Glanville, author of THE PEACOCK HOUSE

‘UNDER THE LEMON TREE is one of those novels that stayed with me long after I finished reading the last page and its very satisfying conclusion. I’d been taken on a wonderful journey of healing and discovery for the main character, Kat, as she faces life without her beloved twin brother. I loved the way that her professional writing evolved into personal writing that became a healing balm for her grief. A superbly crafted novel with many twists and turns, I couldn’t put it down. With its strong sense of place, I was whisked away to a stunning Greek island, sampling the sunshine, the vibrant colours, the delicious food, family life and culture. All the characters come alive on the page. I particularly liked the way the author explores the bond between twin siblings and loved the references to the Ancient Greek twins, Artemis and Apollo, threaded throughout the book. A beautiful uplifting love story, full of secrets, emotion and hope, set against the backdrop of a gorgeous Greek island.’ – Jan Baynham, author of THE GREEK ISLAND SECRET

‘Beautiful, emotional and uplifting escapism with an exquisitely vivid Greek island setting. Utter bliss… readers will adore this book, I’m sure.’ – Alex Brown, author of BRING ME SUNSHINE

Visit Emma’s website.

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Avon To Publish Three More Books by Bestseller Sue Moorcroft

Photo Credit: Charlotte Barnes

Avon Books have signed a three-book deal with Sue Moorcroft, taking her publishing schedule up to summer 2020. Rachel Faulkner-Willcocks acquired World English Language rights from Juliet Pickering at Blake Friedmann.

As part of Avon’s overall strategy to grow Sue Moorcroft’s brand globally, Avon also expanded their portfolio for her existing books to include North American and Canadian rights (A Christmas Promise, Just for the Holidays, The Little Village Christmas, One Summer in Italy and A Christmas Gift).

Rachel Faulkner-Willcocks, Senior Commissioning Editor at Avon said: ‘Sue Moorcroft’s wonderful novels have become highlights of summer and Christmas for her legion of devoted readers, and we are delighted that we’ll be working with Sue for these next three books. Her novels are full to the brim with warmth, but never shy away from the darker realities of life, and with universal themes of family, friendship, love and community, we’re excited to be publishing Sue globally, and bringing her wonderful narratives to an even wider readership.’ 

Sue Moorcroft said: ‘It’s such a privilege and a pleasure to continue to work with the Avon team, because they approach the publication of my books with unparalleled professionalism and enthusiasm. I’m thrilled they’re proving their confidence in my brand by taking it into North America and Canada and thank Juliet for, once again, brokering exactly the right deal for me. I can’t say how delighted I am to move into the future with all at Avon and Blake Friedmann.’

Pickering said: ‘Sue's partnership with Avon continues to go from strength to strength, and we're delighted that Avon wish to take Sue's fantastic list to North America, too. Along with an ever-increasing number of translation markets for Sue's novels, this move across the Atlantic cements Sue's future as an internationally-bestselling author, and we couldn't be more pleased for her.'

 ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Sue Moorcroft is a Sunday Times and international bestselling author who has held the coveted #1 spot on Amazon Kindle. She’s won the Readers’ Best Romantic Novel award and the Katie Fforde Bursary, and has twice been nominated for a Romantic Novel of the Year Award. Her short stories, serials, columns, writing ‘how to’ and courses have appeared all over the world. Her first hardback, A Christmas Gift, publishes this November, following a Sunday Times top ten position last Christmas, and a summer of stellar Ebook sales.

Praise for Sue Moorcroft:

‘A delight to read. Full of laughter and tears.’ – Katie Fforde

 ‘Sue’s gift for description and characters and a well-paced, funny yet tender plot makes this the idea holiday read.’ — My Weekly

Visit Sue's website

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A PERFECT SUMMER READ: SUE MOORCROFT’S ONE SUMMER IN ITALY, OUT NOW!

Fans of award-winning author Sue Moorcroft are in luck as copies of her new book ONE SUMMER IN ITALY hit the shelves. Published in paperback, ebook and audio by Avon today, ONE SUMMER IN ITALY follows Sofia as she travels to a quiet Italian village after her father’s death, uncovering family secrets along the way. It’s the perfect romance to get swept up in this summer!

When Sofia Bianchi’s father Aldo dies, it makes her stop and look at things afresh. Having been his carer for so many years, she knows it’s time to live her own life – and to fulfil some promises she made to Aldo in his final days.

So there’s nothing for it but to escape to Italy’s Umbrian mountains where, tucked away in a sleepy Italian village, lie plenty of family secrets waiting to be discovered. There, Sofia also finds Amy who is desperately trying to find her way in life after discovering her dad isn’t her biological father.

Sofia sets about helping Amy through this difficult time, but it’s the handsome Levi who proves to be the biggest distraction for Sofia, as her new life starts to take off…

Award-winning author Sue Moorcroft writes contemporary women’s fiction with richly textured themes. She’s won a Readers’ Best Romantic Read Award and been nominated for others. Sue’s dazzling summer romance JUST FOR THE HOLIDAYS was shortlisted for the RoNA Romantic Novel Awards 2018 for Best Contemporary Novel. In 2016, her festive novel THE CHRISTMAS PROMISE was a Kindle No.1 bestseller and THE LITTLE VILLAGE CHRISTMAS reached No.6 in the Sunday Times bestseller charts.

You can follow Sue on Twitter here.

Or visit her website here.

Praise for Sue Moorcroft:

‘I love all of Sue Moorcroft’s books!’ — Katie Fforde

'A perfect page-turner when soaking up the sun' — Asda Magazine

‘Sue’s gift for description and characters and a well-paced, funny yet tender plot makes this the idea holiday read.’ — My Weekly

THE LITTLE VILLAGE CHRISTMAS by Sue Moorcroft published today

The ebook of Sue Moorcroft’s much-anticipated THE LITTLE VILLAGE CHRISTMAS is published today by Avon Books. The paperback, complete with festively glittery cover, is out on 2nd November. 

To celebrate publication, THE LITTLE VILLAGE CHRISTMAS blog tour kicks off today and continues until the 4th November - see here for further details.

Alexia Kennedy — a talented and ambitious interior decorator — has been tasked with giving the little village of Middledip the community café it’s always dreamed of. After months of fundraising, the villagers can’t wait to see work get started — but disaster strikes when every last penny is stolen. With the village residents outraged at how this could have happened, Alexia feels ready to head home to London and admit defeat.

But help comes in an unlikely form when woodsman, Ben Hardaker, and his rescue owl Barney, arrive on the scene. Another lost soul who’s hit rock bottom, Ben and Alexia make an unlikely but compelling partnership. Throwing themselves into the café project and the community, they grow closer until Ben's complicated past, and Alexia's ambitions, threaten to force them apart. However, they soon realise that a little sprinkling of Christmas magic might just help to bring this village — and their lives — together again…

Sue Moorcroft is the award-winning author of nine commercial women’s novels, and several novellas. She has won the Katie Fforde Bursary, and is a past Vice Chair of the Romantic Novelists’ Association and editor of its short story anthologies.

Last year, her novel THE CHRISTMAS PROMISE reached the number one spot on the Amazon Kindle Charts, and her novel JUST FOR THE HOLIDAYS was published in May by Avon, hailed by readers and critics alike as a perfect summer read.

Praise for Sue Moorcroft:

‘I love all of Sue Moorcroft’s books!’ – Katie Fforde

‘Sue Moorcroft shows herself yet again to be a master at drawing and exploring the different kinds of relationships… Each character is realistically and sympathetically portrayed so that their relationships too are wholly believable and in no way clichéd… Undoubtedly satisfying – when you finish it, you’ll probably realise there’s a smile on your face and you’re feeling nicely warm and fuzzy – it’s that kind of read.’ – Lucy Literati

Visit Sue's website

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